NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The lack of affordable housing has been an issue in Nashville for years, and it's expected to get worse with the city's constant growth.
U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson visited the state capitol Wednesday for a round table discussion of what can be done to fix the problem. Carson met with state lawmakers and other officials from across the state to talk about the challenges of living in Music City.
They discussed the issue of gentrification and how people are being pushed to the edges of the city by new construction. Senator Brenda Gilmore raised a concern about the elderly not having access to public transportation into town for jobs or doctors visits.
Carson's visit was part of his listening tour across the country.
“I think the biggest plan is to work together. It’s to have the metro housing development agency and the Tennessee department and the governors office and you saw the speaker of the house was here and multiple legislators and leaders; so, the plan is to continue to work together," said Governor Bill Lee.
Carson says he’s taking comments on affordable housing until the end of January when the department will start working on their plan to address the issues.
