NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Metro Nashville plans to distribute pallet shelters for use as temporary housing to community partners.

On Wednesday, the Mayor's Office published a request for proposals from community partners and intends to distribute up to 25 pallet shelter units to community-based organizations. Those pallet shelters can then be used as temporary housing and are meant to offer safe, private spaces for people who cannot easily access group shelters.

According to the request for proposals, the pallet shelters are equipped with beds, LED lighting and locking doors as well as key safety features like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

These pallet shelters have a history. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nashville purchased housing pods for those who needed homes. In 2023, Metro Councilmember Erin Evans passed a resolution calling for the pods to be used as transitional housing. The state ultimately granted Nashville permission last October.

"Eliminating the barriers to use our pallet shelters as a temporary housing option has been a collaborative effort across many Metro stakeholders including Metro Department of Public Health, Office of Homeless Services, Office of Emergency Management and Metro Codes," Evans said. "I appreciate Mayor O'Connell's support in offering these shelters to community organizations with this [request for proposals]." 

In February, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced that two people who had been working on the plan were laid off due to federal funding cuts. Despite that announcement, the Mayor's Office officially opened the call for proposals this week.

“These shelters are temporary housing solutions for our most vulnerable neighbors who need to be housed and connected with supportive services,” O’Connell said. “I’m grateful for the work of the working group that has facilitated the repurposing of these shelters from infectious disease aids to temporary emergency housing options.” 

Metro is seeking proposals from nonprofits and other community partners that can make sure the pallet shelters are properly installed and maintained as well as partners who can help provide residents with services like toilet and shower facilities. Also included in the scope of work is the coordination of on-site support services and reporting shelter use information.

“We are eager to deploy the pallet shelters,” April Calvin, Director of the Office of Homeless Services, said. “It’s going to take all creative solutions to address the need.” 

According to the request for proposals, a concept paper is due by June 4 and the full proposal is due by noon on June 20.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/metro-nashville-intends-to-award-up-to-25-pallet-shelters-to-community-partners/