Nashville's homeless population has witnessed a staggering rise of 77% in the past year, reaching a staggering 1,525 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. The city's total homeless population has also surged by 38%, amplifying concerns over the lack of affordable housing and mental health services.
Nashville's booming growth and escalating cost of living have cast a shadow over the city's homeless population, which has seen a dramatic 77% increase in chronic homelessness over the past year. According to the Nashville Homeless Management Information System, 1,525 individuals were experiencing chronic homelessness in the city as of last month, a sharp rise from 863 a year prior.
The total number of homeless individuals in Nashville has also spiked by 38% since April 2023, reaching 3,412 last month. Chronic homelessness is defined as individuals who have been homeless for over a year and suffer from conditions such as substance abuse disorder, mental health challenges, or disability.
Heather Young, founder of the local nonprofit All for Him Ministries, has observed a concerning trend in the homeless population. "I've seen an increase in women and children. I've seen an increase in mental health that needs to be addressed," she told WKRN News.
Young attributes the surge in homelessness to the soaring cost of living in Nashville. The fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the area has risen to $1,442, a nearly $200 increase from last year, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"There is not a way for these people to get up and running. They can't get affordable housing. Sometimes they can't get the treatment that they need for mental health," Young explained.
Despite the city's allocation of $50 million in American Rescue Plan funding to combat homelessness in 2022, the crisis has continued to escalate. India Pungarcher, outreach specialist for Open Table Nashville, highlights the inadequacy of the funding. "If a one-time $50 million investment was going to end homelessness in Nashville, you know, homelessness wouldn't exist anymore, right?" she told WKRN. "We need hundreds of millions of dollars in order to, you know, even just make a dent in homelessness here in Nashville."
Experts emphasize the urgent need for more affordable housing options to address the homelessness crisis. "I guarantee you it's going to double from where we are now," Young warns.
Nashville's homelessness problem has also been exacerbated by the city's surging crime rate. Mayor Karen Bass recently spoke out about a "very disturbing" home invasion she experienced, reflecting the growing concerns among residents.
The combination of soaring housing costs, mental health issues, and increased crime has created a perfect storm, amplifying the vulnerability of Nashville's homeless population. Urgent action is needed from both the city and the federal government to provide adequate housing, mental health services, and crime prevention measures to alleviate the crisis.
