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A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Planning Department Housing Division and other appropriate departments to identify and pursue options for the implementation of a centralized housing search and navigation platform for Nashville and Davidson County.
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WHEREAS, access to affordable and workforce housing continues to be a significant challenge for residents of Nashville and Davidson County; and
WHEREAS, information regarding available affordable and workforce rental housing is currently distributed across multiple websites, databases, property management systems, and individual property listings; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government's Unified Housing Strategy identifies improved access to housing resources as an important component of addressing Nashville's housing needs and recommends exploring technology platforms capable of providing a more robust network for connecting residents with housing resources; and
WHEREAS, prior Metropolitan Government planning efforts have similarly identified the need for improved housing navigation tools that provide residents with information regarding housing availability, eligibility, and location; and
WHEREAS, centralized housing search platforms have been implemented in other metropolitan areas, including Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Louisville, Lexington, and Detroit; and
WHEREAS, such platforms can provide residents with a centralized resource for identifying available affordable, income-restricted, workforce, and market-rate rental housing and can reduce the administrative burden associated with maintaining housing availability information; and
WHEREAS, a centralized housing search platform could further provide the Metropolitan Government with useful aggregate data regarding housing availability, affordability, and unmet housing needs throughout Davidson County; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the Metropolitan Government to identify available options for implementing such a platform in a manner that minimizes the cost and administrative burden to the Metropolitan Government.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby requests that the Metropolitan Planning Department’s Housing Division, in coordination with the Metropolitan Department of Information Technology Services and other appropriate departments, identify and pursue options for the implementation of a centralized housing search and navigation platform for Nashville and Davidson County.
Section 2. In identifying an appropriate platform and provider, the Metropolitan Government is requested to consider, among other relevant factors:
(a) the ability to provide accurate and regularly updated information regarding available affordable, income-restricted, workforce, and market-rate rental housing;
(b) the ability to integrate with commonly utilized property management systems;
(c) the ability to allow residents to search available housing based upon location, rental rate, income eligibility, unit size, accessibility, and other relevant criteria;
(d) the ability to provide a user-friendly, Metropolitan Government-branded interface;
(e) the ability to minimize the technological and administrative burden on Metropolitan Government departments and employees;
(f) the ability to provide aggregate housing data that may assist the Metropolitan Government in evaluating housing availability and affordability; and
(g) the cost, if any, to the Metropolitan Government associated with implementation and operation of the platform.
Section 3. The Metropolitan Council requests that the Metropolitan Government utilize an appropriate procurement method consistent with the Metropolitan Code, Metropolitan Charter, and other applicable law to identify a qualified provider capable of meeting the Metropolitan Government's identified housing and technology needs.
Section 4. The Metropolitan Planning Department Housing Division is requested to provide the Metropolitan Council with an update regarding the status of these efforts within ninety (90) days following adoption of this Resolution.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.