Tennessean, September 25, 2019: Affordable Housing Can and Should Evoke a Sense of ‘Home’
After two years in the making, Urban Housing Solutions opened a new apartment building in North Nashville at the corner of 26th Avenue North and Clarksville Pike. Located about three miles from downtown, the building adds 63 energy-efficient apartments with monthly rents ranging from $615 for a studio up to $1,100 for a three-bedroom – rents that are affordable to those earning half of the median family income in Nashville.
Waves of redevelopment and gentrification have been pushing North Nashville housing options out of reach for many longtime residents, so we are proud to add an anchor of affordability in the neighborhood. As a nonprofit that has developed affordable housing in Nashville over the last 28 years, this is precisely the mission of Urban Housing Solutions. However, we want to do more than build “housing.”
At our grand opening celebration, we unveiled a mural painted on the new building by local artist Omari Booker. The mural, titled “I Live Here,” depicts a photo album with scenes of everyday life and experiences in the community. In his comments, Omari talked about the neighborhood being a “home,” which captures a meaning that transcends the structures we call “housing.” Home evokes a sense of community, culture, safety and opportunity. So as we continue our work in addressing Nashville’s growing affordable housing crisis, we are mindful of the need to promote and protect a sense of home.
