NEWS BRIEFS

CDC extension of eviction moratorium won’t apply in TN

The Centers for Disease Control has issued a new protection against evictions since the ending of the federal moratorium on July 31. However, it does not apply to Tennesseans.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, which has jurisdiction over Tennessee, ruled on July 23 that the CDC over-extended their authority in releasing the original moratorium, and therefore, the new one does not apply here.

Zac Oswald with Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee says the Tennessee Supreme Court sent an email to all the judges on Aug. 4 to inform them that the new moratorium does not apply in Tennessee.

It has nothing to do with the transmission rates, he added. The new moratorium requires that counties meet a “substantial or high” COVID-19 transmission rate — Tennessee would qualify in that case. As of Aug. 3 through Aug. 10, all of the counties in Tennessee report a high transmission rate.

Oswald’s advice is to go ahead and apply for rent relief ahead of time, and file the CDC declaration.

“There's no harm in filing it, and then the chance is, potentially maybe the judge will recognize that it still exists. Go to your court date and tell the judge, ‘I've applied for rent relief. Can we reschedule this case just to make sure that the funds come in for the landlord? And then we can both be made whole,’” Oswald says.

There are rental and utility assistance funds available through the HOPE (Housing, Opportunity, Partnership, and Employment) program, which can offer up to 15 months’ worth of rent. Judge Rachel Bell is also still operating her L.E.G.A.C.Y. Housing Resource Diversionary Court and Program. Her website states that tenants must apply for HOPE funds and complete an application to be moved to her court prior to their set court date.

Advocacy group The People’s Alliance for Transit, Housing and Employment (PATHE) has organized court watching and outreach to tenants at risk of eviction. According to the organization’s social media pages, they’ve witnessed moved court dates without prior warning and tenants being “thrown out” of court if they had not started a HOPE funding application prior to arriving.

Metro launches Mobile Housing Navigation sites

Metro Nashville is planning to open two new Mobile Housing Navigation sites that will serve up to 40 people at once.

“Community challenges require community solutions,” Mayor John Cooper said. “As we address this national challenge here in Nashville, we’re using evidence-based approaches to support neighbors, create longterm housing solutions and restore green spaces to their intended public use.”

“We’re using data-driven models, and we’re leading with compassion and a commitment to work together,” he added.

Since late 2020, 452 people have moved into stable housing through a federally-funded Rapid Rehousing effort — the city says at least another 200 neighbors are currently on a waiting list.

Of the 452 people who got into housing, all have entered into a oneyear lease agreement in their own names, 296 had previously experienced long-term homelessness and 211 of these households are families with children.

The first of these two mobile sites, which operate in local churches and other community sites, will begin in West Nashville and Madison. Metro says these areas are places “where health and safety concerns are most urgent, but current available services are few.”

The sites will help 20 with immediate stabilization and intensive support services — this approach is proven to “reduce the time people spend on the path from homelessness to stable housing,” a Metro release says. The hope is to serve 250 people through these sites over the next two years.

Cooper directed $850,000 for the model, an investment Metro Council approved. The mayor also renewed his call for more landlords to join the city’s Landlord Guarantee Fund, a public-private partnership he launched in May to attempt to bolster units available for rapid rehousing. Landlords can use this federal funding to cover up to $1,000 in property damages and up to $2,000 in missed rent payments.

Unhoused Bill of Rights introduced in Congress

U.S. Rep. Cori Bush unveiled the Unhoused Bill of Rights, the “first federal resolution to declare unalienable rights for unhoused persons and provide solutions to permanently end the crisis by 2025,” in Congress in early August.

The National Homelessness Law Center worked with Bush to develop the Unhoused Bill of Rights. The legislation seeks to permanently end the unhoused crisis by 2025 by increasing the number of affordable rental units; providing universal housing vouchers; supplementing funding for social services, housing programs, and shelters; and stopping the misdirection of funding to counter-productive law enforcement responses to homelessness.

“Criminalization of homelessness has been a growing issue across the country despite the fact that it does nothing to address or solve the root causes of homelessness,” reads a release from the Law Center. “Research has repeatedly shown that criminalizing homelessness costs more than providing universal housing for everyone experiencing homelessness.”

“Because homelessness disparately impacts Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, as well as LGBTQ+ and disabled populations, these groups that are already over-represented in our jails and prisons are even further marginalized, saddled with criminal records and fines and fees they can’t pay and that will only make it harder for them to get off the streets,” said Eric Tars, Legal Director at the Law Center. “Far from solving homelessness, criminalization actually prolongs it."

This legislation would also allocate $200 billion in federal funding to state and local governments to provide sanitation facilities and places of shelter for unhoused persons in order to address both the housing and public health crises.

“In introducing the Unhoused Bill of Rights, Representative Cori Bush demonstrates once again why we need more legislators with the lived experience of homelessness, poverty, and racial discrimination,” said Antonia Fasanelli, the Law Center’s Executive Director. “Rep. Bush’s Unhoused Bill of Rights is our guide map to making that right a reality in America. We call on Congress to pass this bill, and then take the further steps to pass the additional policies affirmed in the bill in order to end homelessness in America the right way, through Housing, Not Handcuffs."

21 nonprofits earn opportunity grants through Metro

Metro Council approved 21 Opportunity Grants to nonprofits who are working to enhance community safety and reduce violence in Middle Tennessee.

The grants are part of the first round of funding from a $2 million Community Safety Partnership Fund.

“Community safety requires community solutions,” said Mayor John Cooper. “These small grants will have a big impact in helping nonprofits in neighborhoods that need help the most.”

This funding aligns with recommendations from the 11-person Community Safety Partnership Advisory Board, which is chaired by former Mayoral Policing Policy Commission member and YWCA President and CEO Sharon Roberson.

“Last year, the Policing Policy Commission highlighted the need for investments in community groups and partnerships,” said Sharon Roberson. “These grants are a first down payment on a much-needed investment.”

Metro Community Safety Coordinator Ron Johnson will work with selected nonprofits to provide technical assistance. "While overall crime rates have fallen nearly 10 percent across the city this year, violent crimes have increased sharply," said Metro Council Public Safety Chair Jennifer Gamble. "Investing in grassroots organizations that work to provide opportunities and programs for at-risk communities and coordinating those activities with Metro agencies will help make our neighborhoods safer.”