CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Finding a place to live within your means has become harder and harder in Middle Tennessee.

For many, Clarksville has become home, offering rents 46% cheaper than Nashville and more affordable purchase options. However, now even that’s becoming hard to afford.

“Right now, we're looking at roughly 68% of renters that are living outside their means in Clarksville Montgomery County, meaning that their income is not enough to afford the rent,” said Leslie Chiodini, Executive Director of the Clarksville Montgomery County Community Action Agency.

Although the area is seeing an uptick in new builds, Chiodini said the need goes beyond simply "more housing."

“We're seeing a lot of new housing, it's just not affordable. There's a lot of apartments going up, just the community in which I serve, the income, the wages are just not enough to afford the housing that is available,” she added. “So it's kind of the place to go, but with that growth has now come additional challenges.” 

A proposal going before the Clarksville Legislative Committee seeks to help bridge the gap by creating a "land bank."

How it would work is the City of Clarksville would purchase or take over properties that are vacant, abandoned or tax-delinquent. After some rehab, the city would put those properties back into "productive use,” such as allowing nonprofits to use them for affordable housing. 

“It's either create more affordable housing or increase wages, which is a tough subject in its own,” Chiodini said. “If the city has the capability of doing that, that's great.”

Before any of this could take place, state lawmakers would first have to allow the city to create a land bank. It’s an ask that council member Stacey Streetman will take before the Clarksville Legislative Committee on Wednesday, with a proposal from the Neighborhood and Community Services department. 

If passed, the resolution would then go to the General Assembly for approval.

Below are statistics from the Clarksville Montgomery County Community Action Agency's 2024 Community Assessment:

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/clarksville/clarksville-leaders-to-consider-land-bank-proposal/