A resolution requesting the Mayor, the Metropolitan Board of Public Education, and the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency to examine the feasibility of using vacant government buildings, school buildings, and public housing facilities to house victims of Hurricane Katrina.

WHEREAS, the unprecedented devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina has left tens of thousands of people in Mississippi and Louisiana without shelter, food, and water; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Bill Purcell has pledged that the Metropolitan Government will assist victims of Hurricane Katrina by offering the services of government departments and disaster relief agencies; and

WHEREAS, thousands of hurricane victims are expected to seek shelter in the Nashville area, many of whom lack the financial resources to find adequate housing on their own; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Public Education currently has several school buildings that are not being utilized for school purposes, which might be able to be converted into temporary housing for hurricane victims; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency is currently in the process of preparing to demolish the John Henry Hale housing development, which contains approximately 500 housing units; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to show the humanitarianism and hospitality of the City of Nashville, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Government make vacant government property available for the temporary shelter of displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina.

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 Metropolitan Board of Public Education, and the Metropolitan Development and Housing Authority to examine the feasibility of using vacant government buildings, school buildings, and public housing facilities to house victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Mayor Bill Purcell, to Phil Ryan, the Executive Director of M.D.H.A., to Schools Director Dr. Pedro Garcia, and to each member of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

Section 3. That 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, Greg Adkins, Brenda Gilmore