Lawmakers call for equitable help in North Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Lawmakers are calling for equitable help with tornado relief in North Nashville. Senator Brenda Gilmore and Representative Harold Love led a press conference Friday, asking for greater effort in the neighborhood.

They spoke at the Lee Chapel AME Church, where Love is a pastor. The building is being used as a shelter. Volunteers have been gathering there to pass out clothes, cleaning supplies and other essentials for families to get back on their feet.

Criminal court clerk Howard Gentry says there's one portion of the population that is being overlooked.

"The homeless are hurting. The ones that have lost their tents, they are truly homeless now. There are now another population in our community that is in homelessness," said Rep. Love.

Relief efforts for the homeless are located at Centennial Park by the tennis courts.

Leaders also called on city, state and national government officials to not overlook one of Nashville's most historic neighborhoods.

"Please don't leave north Nashville out when the money is being dispersed. Natural disasters don't discriminate."

Many of those displaced in North Nashville have lived there for decades.

State Senator Brenda Gilmore also made a plea to residents to not let this disaster push them to sell their homes, especially for less than it is worth.

"Im pleading with you. Do not sell your homes. Do not sell your properties and don't pay any contractors in cash," Sen. Gilmore said.

"It's not just North Nashville. It's not just Bordeaux. It's Nashville. So we all have to help one another. When one has a little less than the other one, then we give a little more, can always help out. It doesn't matter if you have $2, you can always help and give somebody one," said Rep. Vincent Dixie (D) Nashville.

Lee Chapel is accepting donations at 1200 Dr. DB Todd Junior Boulevard.