Sixth Largest Tennessee City is a HUD Community Development Block Grant Entitlement City

Over the past few years, Murfreesboro, Tennessee (http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/) has grown at a pace that is over five times the national average. Being the county seat of Rutherford County, it is located at the geographic center of Tennessee, approximately 35 miles southeast of Nashville. With a population of 75,083, it is the sixth largest and one of the fastest growing cities in the state. At its center, Murfreesboro has developed into a retail destination attracting shoppers from a 10-county region.

Mayor Tommy Bragg (blue shirt), John Minter, Murfreesboro CD Director (white shirt), William Dirl (standing) and John Baldwin listen as Mr. Dirl provides details of the award to the Murfreesboro Continuum of Care members.

The city knows that more population brings social consequences and increased community needs and services. HUD promotes Continuum of Care, organizations that group together to approach homelessness in their community - to combat such social needs and to help alleviate chronic homelessness. Basically, a continuum of care system is designed to address the critical problem of homelessness through a coordinated community-based process of identifying needs and building a system to address those needs.

The City's Community Development Office has had a Continuum in place for several years, but on January 12, 2006, the HUD Nashville Field Office Director, William Dirl, Terry Livingston, Operations Analyst, and John Baldwin, CPD Representative, traveled to Murfreesboro to present checks to the Murfreesboro Housing Authority, a member of the Murfreesboro Continuum, in a total amount of $278,748. These awards represent Murfreesboro's portion of HUD's release of the 2005 competitive Continuum of Care grants.

Some of the membership of Murfreesboro's Continuum of Care.

Continuum of Care competitive programs are administered by HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development, specifically the Supportive Housing Program, Shelter Plus Care Program, and the Single Room Occupancy Program. HUD's release of the funds spearheads the nationwide attempt to assist communities with these problems. Every state received the funds, including over $13.6 million for the State of Tennessee.

The Murfreesboro Continuum of Care agencies represent people that are on the front lines with those who may be homeless, hungry, or need temporary shelter. "Murfreesboro's officials have been proactive to address the city's needs. Along with the Mayor of Murfreesboro and city leaders, they are developing a strategic ten-year plan (http://www.ich.gov) to fight chronic homelessness," said William (Bill) Dirl.

Nashville HUD Director, William Dirl and Community Planning and Development Rep, John Baldwin, present a representational check to Patsy Noland, Executive Director of the Murfreesboro Housing Authority.

"We are pleased to announce and present this award to the Murfreesboro Housing Authority (MHA) and to the Continuum," said Dirl. The MHA received a shelter plus care (SPC) renewal grant of $118,008 and another new SPC grant of $160,740. Members of the Murfreesboro Continuum, including the City Community Development Director, John Minter, were ecstatic. Community Planning and Development representative, John Baldwin, co-presented the check. Mayor Tommy Bragg attended the meeting and was concerned about other areas in his county that are underserved. Many other members expressed their concerns, as a free and exuberant flow of expression continued during the meeting.

"These are the kinds of meetings I like to attend throughout our jurisdiction - in Nashville, Clarksville and Murfreesboro. They really express the sincerity of people and communities when it comes to helping others," said Nashville Operations Analyst, Terry Livingston. The Nashville Field Office serves most of the Middle Tennessee counties in Tennessee. The Memphis and Knoxville Field Offices serve the other sections of the state.