Nashville's local news and NPR station

Housing

What we’re doing: WPLN News has reported on the rising cost of housing for many years, but we’re committing to increasing our coverage throughout 2022, as single family home prices have gone up by 25% over the past year and rents have gone up by 20% over the past two years. These stories are informed by conversations with the community and rich in data and resources. Our goal: to create a visceral snapshot of the housing crisis in 2022, spur leaders into action, and empower residents to make smart decisions.

Join the conversation! We’ve dedicated several episodes of This Is Nashville to the rising cost of housing. Listen on any podcasting app, or on our website:

WPLN News Investigates: How did an affordable apartment complex in a prime location deteriorate in plain sight? WPLN’s Ambriehl Crutchfield reviewed more than 1,600 inspections to understand how the apartments continued to decline despite government inspections, what low-wage residents are doing to find new homes in the city’s hot housing market, and why organizers are at odds about the way forward.

Read our special series Displaced.

Chef Sterling Wright’s Radical Hospitality in Action

As Nashville closes encampments, residents are finding themselves in temporary transitional housing for far longer than expected.

Nashville preservationists worry developers will tear down homes tied to Civil Rights movement

The endangered sites appear on this year’s “Nashville Nine,” the annual listing by the nonprofit Historic Nashville Inc. The group has adopted a thematic focus this time in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

What does your dream Nashville look like? Community leaders want to know.

If you could change one thing about Nashville, what would it be? That’s just one of the questions community leaders want residents to answer in a new survey. It’s a part of “Imagine Nashville” — a citywide initiative asking residents what their ideal city looks like, and then creating a plan to bring it to life.

As O’Connell takes office, Nashvillians hope for change in all corners of the city

Nashville’s new mayor, Freddie O’Connell, celebrated his inauguration over the weekend. Metro departments, community groups, former mayors and residents gathered downtown to honor the city’s new leader.

Gimme Shelter — in Madison!

When we think about our unhoused community, Nashville is no longer just Nashville.

Madisonians try to find home in their hometown

As Nashville closes encampments, residents are finding themselves in temporary transitional housing for far longer than expected.

Nashville affordable housing — mayoral candidates respond to a WPLN listener’s question

WPLN asked Nashville’s mayoral candidates questions from listeners. Here’s what they had to say on affordable housing.

A former motel in South Nashville has become essential for people leaving encampments. There’s tension over the conditions there.

As Nashville closes encampments, residents are finding themselves in temporary transitional housing for far longer than expected.

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