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Housing

Historically speaking, Nashville was a relatively affordable place to live. Before 2010 let’s say, it wasn’t unreasonable to expect that your average full-time job could afford you a place to rent or even buy within a 15 minute drive to the center of town. You might even have enough space for your band to rehearse.

But with the average home price now over $400K, once working class neighborhoods near the city center have become out of reach for all but upper income residents. Options for lower income Nashvillians have dwindled. And with the city projected to continue to grow at a rapid clip, the future of affordable housing seems tenuous without strong policies and interventions to address it.

The WPLN newsroom will continue to report on the state of housing in Middle Tennessee as the region continues to reckon with the consequences of its rapid growth.

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:

Chef Sterling Wright’s Radical Hospitality in Action

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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

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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.

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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

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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!

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

Madisonians try to find home in their hometown

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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

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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.

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

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