Nashville (www.nashville.gov) is a HUD Community Development Block Grant Entitlement City

In 2004 and 2005, with a population of nearly 600,000, Nashville developed and provided a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness. The city knew that an increase in population would likely bring social consequences and increased community needs and services. With the influx of immigrants and refugees into the city, approaching 100,000, and an increasing migration into the city, Nashville progressively included these and other factors into its analysis. The city's leaders are dedicated to initiate the approved 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness (www.nashville.gov/sservices/homeless/index.htm). "Our goal is to help homeless individuals to get off the streets and into programs that will allow them to lead better lives," states Mayor Bill Purcell. So what does that mean?

Nashville Field Office Director Bill Dirl, thanks the Nashville Continuum membership for their dedication.

It means bringing community leaders together to provide additional social services, affordable housing, funds for community services or development and homeless support services, and, of course, leadership from all sectors. Nashville's plan has integrated these and other major components of a consolidated study into its plan, and one major portion of that plan is those funds provided through HUD's Homeless programs.

"The plan will utilize HUD's programs for the homeless through Continuums 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. 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.

Nashville Field Office Director, Bill Dirl, Operations Analyst, Terry Livingston, and Operations Specialist, Marsha Webb assisted during the presentation.

HUD's release of the 2005 competitive Continuum of Care 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.

To highlight receipt of these funds, HUD's Nashville Office provided the local Nashville Continuum of Care a presentation check in the amount of over $3.1 million during the Continuum's monthly meeting on January 19, 2006. HUD Nashville Field Office Director, William Dirl, Marsha Webb, Operations Specialist, Terry Livingston, Operations Analyst, and John Baldwin, CPD Representative, presented the check to Nashville Vice-Mayor Howard Gentry in recognition of those members that received funds.

Nashville Operations Specialist, Marsha Webb presents the ceremonial check to Nashville Vice-Mayor, Howard Gentry.

The Nashville Continuum of Care represents front-line people who serve those that may be homeless, hungry, or need temporary shelter. "Nashville's officials have been proactive to address the city's needs," said Nashville Field Office Director, Bill Dirl. Executive Director of the Metropolitan Housing and Development Agency, Phil Ryan, along with housing and homeless advocates, and individual non-profit directors received the check.

"We are pleased to announce and present this award to the City of Nashville and to the Nashville Continuum," said Dirl. Members of the Continuum were ecstatic. 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.