Attainable Housing

We like to spend a lot of our time as a city discussing affordable housing, but we never really bother to define what affordable means. We never answer the question, “Affordable for who?” Because of that, we have housing that is listed as affordable that could still go for $400,000. That might be affordable for some, but for many of our citizens that is a far cry from what affordable means.

We need to stop talking about affordability and instead focus our efforts on equitable attainability. When we focus on the question, “Affordable for who?” we are only looking at one piece of the puzzle. We must also be asking, “Achievable for who?” Attainable housing is not simply about the price of the house, but also about the jobs available in the community. It’s about all of our residents having an equal opportunity to succeed with fair wages.

Increased housing costs are plaguing the city, as wages stagnate. It is critical that we find solutions that encourage smart and equitable growth while balancing the integrity of our neighborhoods. Our citizens should not have to make a tough choice between paying for housing or being able to provide for their families.

Neighborhood Values

Nashville’s neighborhoods have changed quickly. Emily believes that the changes in our neighborhoods needs to be balanced between existing and future residents. Providing a mix of housing is crucial to the sustainability of our city.

Emily wants everyone to enjoy where they live, to feel like it is an equitable place, and where they can stay as long as they choose. She is for development that our community wants and will embrace. As Nashville is growing, especially in our urban core, change must be thoughtful, making life and work better for our citizens. Emily wants to make sure we continue to be thoughtful and empathic to all District 7 residents, both currently and in future.

Infrastructure

Our infrastructure needs to be fully funded to be able to adapt to the growth we are experiencing. In some cases this can mean a public/private partnership, but often it is through tax dollars that we are able to upgrade our utility lines, sidewalks, and other fixed assets. All of our public servants, including our firefighters, bus drivers, and public works employees deserve to be given the resources to effectively carry out their jobs. This includes the right tools and the right wages.

Emily supported the creation of NDOT, and she will continue to work hard to make our sure our residents are connected to the resources they need and want. Our transportation system needs to be improved. We need bike lanes and sidewalks, and we need to make cars slow down. WeGo also needs support from city leaders through a dedicated revenue stream that will result in consistent year-over-year operational improvements.