RESOLUTION NO. RS2015-1463

A resolution supporting the efforts of the remaining residents of the James Robertson Towers to find safe and affordable replacement housing, and requesting the new owners of the building to take the necessary action to secure permanent housing and cover the relocation expenses for the remaining tenants.

WHEREAS, in December, 2014, the James Robertson Hotel, a site-based Section 8 affordable Housing provider, was sold for $9.2 million to a subsidiary of the Nashville-based Covenant Capital Group; and

WHEREAS, while the new owners have not specified the building’s intended use, it is suspected that the building will be redeveloped as a high-end apartment complex or hotel; and

WHEREAS, the 100 tenants of James Robertson Towers were given until April 30, 2015 to vacate the premises; and

WHEREAS, although Covenant Capital Group claims to manage assets in excess of $1.4 billion on behalf of over 250 institutional and high net worth investors, the financial and logistical burden of securing new housing for the current tenants, all of whom are elderly and many of whom are disabled, has fallen on the individual residents along with patchwork assistance from Metro Social Services, local nonprofits, and a coalition of housing advocates; and

WHEREAS, approximately 50 tenants of James Robertson Towers are still living in the apartments, 34 of whom have not yet been able to secure new housing; and

WHEREAS, for these remaining residents, the prospect of eviction poses a physical, emotional, psychological and financial crisis; and

WHEREAS, due to HUD restrictions related to funds utilized for homelessness services, these men and women will not be eligible for many housing programs typically afforded those experiencing homelessness; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council desires to show its support for these tenants and their efforts to secure permanent housing.

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

Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as supporting the efforts of the remaining residents of James Robertson Towers to secure safe and affordable replacement housing.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council further goes on record as requesting 10th Avenue Multifamily Partner, LLC (part of Covenant Capital Group), the new owner of James Robertson Towers, to take the necessary action to secure permanent affordable housing and cover the relocation expenses for the remaining tenants.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Council also goes on record recognizing that this occurrence with the James Robertson Towers has underscored the need for the Council to support policies that ensure future developments are not approved at the expense of low-income, elderly, and disabled citizens, and desires to see the Metropolitan Government take additional steps to support the funding, building, and preserving of affordable housing.

Section 4. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Covenant Capital Group, LLC, 4515 Harding Like, Nashville, Tennessee 37205-2118.

Section 5. 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: Erica Gilmore, Brady Banks, Megan Barry, Burkley Allen, Jason Holleman

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	April 21, 2015
Adopted:	April 21, 2015
Approved:	April 22, 2015
By: