Office of Homeless Services Contact Information
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday
Closed
As Nashville navigates the Extreme Weather season, which runs from November 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, the Metro Emergency Overflow Shelter remains a critical resource for protecting our unhoused neighbors from life-threatening conditions. The shelter is activated when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below for at least three consecutive hours, ensuring those without shelter have a safe place to stay.
The Metro Emergency Overflow Shelter has operated for a total of 34 days this season, including 23 days in January alone—10 of which included extended hours to provide additional relief during severe weather conditions.
"I would like to thank several departments for their assistance including Metro Council, Mayor's Office, Office of Homeless Services staff, Metro Water and Sewer, General Services, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Metro Social Services, Metro Department of Public Health, WeGo, Delta T, Office of Emergency Management, Arch Angel Security, and many other community organizations and non-profits who donated essential hygiene items and supportive services. Your efforts were lifesaving, and we could not have done this work without each of you," said April Calvin, Director of Office of Homeless Services.
Midseason Review: Strengthening Our Response to Evolving Needs
As the needs of our unhoused neighbors continue to shift, we are taking proactive steps to enhance our support systems. By refining our approach, we are working to ensure that every individual in need has access to safe and effective shelter options.
Below are key midseason initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening our shelter network:
- Guest Satisfaction Survey: Shelter guests participated in a survey designed to provide valuable insights on service improvements. Their feedback will play a crucial role in shaping solutions that center the voices of those we serve.
- Strengthening Shelter Triage Coordination: The Metro Emergency Overflow Shelter is collaborating with Room In The Inn and the Nashville Rescue Mission to enhance the shelter triage network. This partnership aims to:
- Prioritize primary shelters as the first option, ensuring facilities like the Nashville Rescue Mission—designed to serve on a larger scale—reach their full capacity before overflow resources are utilized.
- Align the Metro Emergency Overflow Shelter with its intended role—serving as a backup when demand exceeds the capacity of primary shelters.
Shelter Data and Operations
- Days of Operation: 34 days
- Average Nightly Attendance: 250 individuals; For detailed nightly attendance data, visit our Shelter Daily Report page.
- Highest Attendance: 396 individuals on January 21, 2025, when temperatures plunged into the single digits.
- Opening Criteria: Temperatures at or below 32°F for three consecutive hours or more; Extended hours when temperatures remained below 32°F for 24 hours or more.