Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, TN - File #: RS2023-2187

• File #: RS2023-2187
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 5/9/2023
• In control: Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee
• On agenda: 7/6/2023
• Final action: 7/6/2023
• Title: A resolution urging the Mayor's Office, the Metro Health Department, Office of Homeless Services, Metro Social Services, and the Metro Codes Department to evaluate housing pods purchased with COVID-19 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant funds and create an action plan for their use.
• Sponsors: Erin Evans, Joy Styles, Burkley Allen, Delishia Porterfield, Ginny Welsch, Freddie OConnell

Date	Action By	Action
7/10/2023	Mayor	approved
7/6/2023	Metropolitan Council	adopted
7/6/2023	Metropolitan Council	substituted
7/6/2023	Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee	approved
7/6/2023	Public Health and Safety Committee	approved
6/6/2023	Metropolitan Council	deferred
5/16/2023	Metropolitan Council	deferred
5/9/2023	Metropolitan Council	filed

title
A resolution urging the Mayor's Office, the Metro Health Department, Office of Homeless Services, Metro Social Services, and the Metro Codes Department to evaluate housing pods purchased with COVID-19 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant funds and create an action plan for their use.

body
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has accepted an Epidemiology & Laboratory Capacity ("ELC") grant from the Tennessee Department of Health, pursuant to Resolution No. RS2020-508; and

WHEREAS, the ELC grant is used to prepared for, respond to, and recover from COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee has procured housing pods as a capital purchase for housing outside of COVID sheltering, an allowable use under ELC grant guidance; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that the pods cost $1.2M; and

WHEREAS, some pods were allocated to the Nashville Rescue Mission, while the remaining pods were put into storage and never used; and

WHEREAS, Davidson County residents have questions as to why the pods have not been widely used to shelter homeless Nashvillians; and

WHEREAS, on February 3, 2023, the Metro Health Department received guidance from the Tennessee Department of Health that using the pods for sheltering outside of COVID-19 recovery could be allowable under the ELC grant since funding was specifically earmarked for the homeless population; and

WHEREAS, at a June 6, 2023 meeting with the State of Tennessee Fire Marshal's Office it was determined that if a licensed engineer would certify that the pods meet Metro's current code standards, then Metro may use these pods for temporary housing initiatives; and
WHEREAS, if used for shelter, Metro Nashville would need to ensure that COVID-19 guidelines set for shelters/congregate living facilities are followed, the shelters are placed at least 10 feet apart, and that the shelters could be secured; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metro Council request that housing pods purchased with ELC grant fun...