After taking office, Mayor Freddie O’Connell established three transition committees to look at How Nashville Moves, How Nashville Works, and How Nashville Grows. The committees returned a slew of recommendations to guide the initial work of the administration. In the months since, Mayor O’Connell has identified another key focus area.
There are a lot of great programs out there to support Nashvillians, but not enough Nashvillians know about them.
How Nashville Helps is the fourth quadrant of the mayor’s guiding work where he and his administration are seeking to improve the resources available to Nashvillians and connect more residents with the resources they need.
Financial Empowerment
Nashville’s Financial Empowerment Center is a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office and United Way. It offers financial counseling for any Nashvillian.
The Financial Empowerment Center’s RESET Program connects seniors with financial planning resources, and with benefits that they qualify for but were not previously bringing in.
The Property Tax Relief and Freeze Program offers qualifying Nashvillians the chance to get relief on their property taxes. In 2025, Metro Nashville is reassessing its property values which marks a key time for Nashvillians in need to sign up for the freeze or relief program through the Trustee’s office.
Food Security
Metro Social Services recently expanded its food assistance program. Congregate meals and home-delivered meals are available to residents over 60 years of age who are often unable to prepare their own meals or routinely shop for basic nutrition needs.
Metro Action Commission is partnering with 62 locations throughout Nashville and Davidson County to provide breakfast and lunch meals at no cost to children and youth during June and July. Breakfast meals are generally served at 8am and lunch meals close to noon each day. Parents and youth can visit the Metro Action site at nashville.gov/mac and click on “Free Meals for Youth” for a complete listing of the food locations being sponsored by the agency.
Access to Childcare
In July 2024, Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the Department of Health announced the Nashville Strong Babies program would now be available citywide. The program offers care coordination, insurance assistance, family planning services, home visits, feeding and sleep support, plus so much more to new and expecting mothers through the first 18 months of a baby’s life. Visit: NashvilleStrongBabies.com.
The O’Connell administration negotiated a development agreement for a portion of the East Bank, and in the initial construction, the developer committed to including a child-care as part of the first phase.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services which often works closely with Metro’s Social Services offers a child care locator through its website.
Nutritional Supplements can also be available through Metro Social Services.
Housing
Nesterly Homesharing program - aims to help match people who have extra space in their homes with a guest who is seeking long-term, affordable, healthy, and safe housing.
Affordable Housing Accelerator Program - The Affordable Housing Accelerator Program will connect emerging affordable housing developers and contractors with experts to increase their capacity and resources to support affordable housing development.
Faith Based Development Initiative - will equip faith-based institutions with the tools, resources, and expertise to convert underutilized land into affordable housing.
MDHA Communities - Check out subsidized properties owned by MDHA
MDHA Home Repair Program - The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency’s (MDHA) Accessibility, HVAC, Homeowner Rehabilitation, Roof and Window programs are available to qualifying Davidson County homeowners to help with various home repairs. The application period for 2025 is now open.
Rental Assistance Voucher Program - MDHA provides a series of resources for tenants and landlords through this program.
Second Responders
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster - this is an agency that helps in the wake of any impactful disaster in the city, and VOAD is designed to bring together critical support organizations so Nashvillians can get the help needed effectively. They are also a great hub for Nashvillians to volunteer with after a disaster.
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee - CFMT has served as a leader, catalyst, and resource for philanthropy in Middle Tennessee and beyond, leveraging our expertise and unique capabilities as a public foundation to identify and address critical needs.
Coordinated Services
Coordinated System of Services is How Nashville Helps. Nashvillians shouldn't have to know which department to go to when we need help.
A coordinated system of services is an approach where various programs, agencies, or organizations collaborate to deliver services to individuals or families, focusing on addressing their needs in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. This system aims to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and accessibility of services by ensuring seamless communication and collaboration among provide. One critical way Nashville provides a coordinated system of services is through hub.nashville.gov. There you can find help with just about anything you might need. And if you can’t, give the hub team a call at 3-1-1.