The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded a $1 million grant to Tennessee State University in a groundbreaking move that could reshape affordable housing solutions in Metro Nashville. This funding will establish a Center of Excellence – Center for Urban and Community Research address critical housing issues exacerbated by gentrification in the area.
The grant was officially announced during a TSU-hosted housing roundtable that brought together representatives from Nashville’s HBCUs. Inspection presentation Interim Provost Dr. Featuring Robbie Melton, it highlights TSU’s leadership role in urban studies and community studies.
Dr. Rafael Haroon, principal investigator on the grant, explained the center’s mission. “Our research will examine the effects of gentrification-induced displacement on families and communities in the Greater Nashville Area, focusing on trends and patterns of residential mobility, housing challenges, and the effectiveness of HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program to meet housing needs. vulnerable population in the region,” said Harun.
Using mixed methods, UCRC aims to generate actionable insights to increase access to affordable housing and mitigate the negative effects of displacement while promoting equitable development in urban settings.
A path to solutions
“The HUD grant is the largest grant received by the Faculty of Urban Studies and the largest grant the College of Public Service has ever received,” said Dr. Rodney E. Stanley said. “This is the first Center of Excellence in Civil Services College. This, in turn, will be an excellent opportunity for students to work alongside faculty members on research related to important public policy issues facing our urban communities.”
Chief investigators Dr. Kimberly Triplett, Dr. Kara Robinson and Dr. Includes Shui Bin. Dr. Harun will act as the director of the center.
Dr. Robinson also chairs the Department of Social Work and Urban Studies. He emphasized the program’s goal of influencing local politics through rigorous research and analysis. “The project will conduct a quantitative and qualitative analysis of those trends and patterns and provide policy solutions to address the needs of those individuals and families,” he said.
TSU is one of two HBCUs selected to receive this prestigious funding. It aims to produce research that addresses strategic housing issues for HUD.
“Universities are anchors in their communities; they serve as economic drivers and thought leaders,” said Acting Secretary of State Adrianne Todman. “There is no better place to build the knowledge and understanding needed to guide housing policy than our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”
With this new initiative Tennessee State University Poised to play an important role in shaping housing policy and promoting sustainable community development in Nashville and beyond.
