Some Nashville Residents Remain Challenged with Food Insecurity and Access to Affordable Housing

This week marks National Hunger and Homelessness Week (November 17-23), a time that acknowledges the struggles of individuals and families across the country suffering from food insecurity and access to housing options.

Metro Social Services is joining advocates and organizations across the country in raising awareness of these issues. Our office is already seeing an uptick in needs requests as the cold season moves in. That, coupled with inflation, we anticipate the numbers to continue to spike. Here's a snapshot of what Davidson County residents are experiencing and how Metro Social Services is standing in the gap for those navigating financial crises.

Davidson County Stats

Source: Community Needs Evaluation report by Metro Social Services

• Nashville has had higher poverty rates than its peer cities and the U.S. for most of the past decade
• 1/3 of Metro Schools' 82,000 students are economically disadvantaged
• Most of Nashville's 94,000 residents over age 64 live on a fixed income
• One-half of Nashville's 424,000 workers earn less than a living wage
• One-half of Nashville's 304,000 renters are too cost-burdened to afford rent
• Nashville home ownership rates: Black Nashvillians 38.9%, White Nashvillians 60.9%
• Homebuyers must earn $115,000 to afford the typical U.S. home. That's about $40,000 more than the typical American household earns.
• Only 9% of Nashville residents believe they can afford a home in their area
• 28.7% of senior homeowners and 62% of senior renters spent 30% or more of their income on housing in 2022
• 1 in 10 Nashvillians is food insecure
• ZIP Codes with highest rates of food insecurity 37207, 37208, and 37218 - all touching North Nashville.
• Middle Class Nashvillians say they are now feeling the pinch of inflation and adjusting spending habits. Typically, the middle class absorbs economic downturns longer and more often avoid impact. Studies are showing a shift.
• Access to food, rental assistance, and housing assistance consistently rank in the top three request needs we receive from clients coming to us for help

How We Stand in the Gap on Hunger and Housing Needs

• Delivering an average of 16,500 meals monthly to seniors and disabled who are homebound as the Davidson County Meals on Wheels distributor
• Assisting individuals and families with applying for SNAP benefits and disability
• Providing rental assistance to qualifying clients
• Connecting clients with landlords and homeowners offering affordable housing options
• Offering life-training classes that help clients manage money, prepare to rent or own a home, manage conflict, and more.
• Connecting clients to clothing donation sites we partner with
• Connecting clients to counselors who can help them navigate the stress and trauma of their economic state

...and much more.

Media Offerings

• Interviews with our experts on this subject matter
• Ride-alongs with our Home Ambassadors who conduct daily meal deliveries
• B-roll opportunity this Thursday as we pack 500 food boxes for our annual Thanksgiving food giveaway (for current clients only)
• Annual Thanksgiving food giveaway November 23, 2024 (Saturday), 9 a.m., Metro Social Services Parking lot (3055 Lebanon Pike)