A resolution requesting the Mayor, the Mayor’s Taskforce on Chronic Homelessness, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, the Department of Social Services, and the Nashville Rescue Mission to collaborate and examine the feasibility of improving the Rescue Mission’s campus.

WHEREAS, recent news reports have discussed possible legislation submitted by the Downtown Partnership to address panhandling and other issues regarding the homeless; and

WHEREAS, the Nashville Rescue Mission maintains a campus in the old Sears building located at the corner of 7th Avenue and Lafayette Street; and

WHEREAS, the Nashville Rescue Mission provides food, shelter, and other programs and assistance for homeless men, women, and children in Nashville; and

WHEREAS, additional improvements to the Nashville Rescue Mission’s campus, such as screening and a landscaped courtyard, would provide a safe place for homeless persons to stay, and would possibly alleviate some of the concerns raised by the Downtown Partnership and downtown business owners; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor has appointed a taskforce of persons to address the issues pertaining to chronic homelessness in Nashville; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Mayor, the Mayor’s Taskforce on Chronic Homelessness, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, the Department of Social Services, and the Nashville Rescue Mission to examine the feasibility of making campus improvements to the Nashville Rescue Mission.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Mayor the Mayor’s Taskforce on Chronic Homelessness, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, the Department of Social Services, and the Nashville Rescue Mission to collaborate and examine the feasibility of improving the Rescue Mission’s campus.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Mayor Bill Purcell, to each member of the Mayor’s Taskforce on Chronic Homelessness, to Phil Ryan, the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, to Dorothy Shell-Berry, the interim Director of the Department of Social Services, and to Rader Walker, the President and CEO of the Nashville Rescue Mission.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye Wallace