The latest backers for more affordable housing want Nashville officials to think about its effects on health. The Healthy Nashville Leadership Council says home building policies can reduce poverty and commute times — and improve well-being.
In a relatively rare move, the Healthy Nashville group delivered a statement to the Metro Council and the Planning Commission. If Metro creates a policy of
inclusionary
zoning (
which can encourage or require developers to keep a portion of homes affordable) then
the health leaders want to help shape the rules.
“Neighborhoods where poverty is concentrated impact health and well-being adversely, especially during early childhood,” the council said. “As Nashville’s housing stock becomes more expensive, residents are being displaced from neighborhoods and are commuting longer distances.”
The health council would prefer a policy that reduces concentrations of poverty and that creates mixed-income neighborhoods.
The group also wants housing rules that will help reverse the trend toward long commutes. Low-income residents have been pushed toward the outskirts of the city and into neighboring counties that are farther from employment centers.
The council says those commutes harm physical and mental health — by raising blood pressure, stress, and feelings of isolation.
The health council also asked that the final policy keep track of how many affordable units are created.
Metro planners are
due to deliver a draft housing policy next month.
This story has been updated to clarify that the health council is not supporting inclusionary zoning, but has made recommendations to shape whatever policy is created.
Healthy Nashville Leadership Council Timeline
- 1995: Healthy Nashville 2000 initiated
- 2003: Mayor appoints Healthy Nashville Leadership Council
- 2008: Mayor renews council by executive order
- 2015: New members appointed to council
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