Nashville Homelessness & Housing

About the Week

Nashville, Tennessee, "Music City, USA," has a booming economy with an influx of industry and job opportunities. When it comes to housing, it is a sellers’ market. Housing costs continue to skyrocket, land values are at a premium, and gentrification is rampant throughout the city. Nashville, like many cities across our country, is facing an affordable housing crisis; homelessness is at an all-time high. Groups spend the week in Nashville exploring homelessness and the critical need for housing justice. Hands-on opportunities include serving with several area non-profits working to shelter, permanently house, and establish new foundations with those who are unhoused. Your week also includes a primer on legislation and housing movements that have marginalized communities throughout the city. Prepare to play, learn, grow, give, and maybe even write a new song—it is Music City after all! Groups participating in Nashville Homelessness and Housing Justice will learn to put faith into action through service and justice in ways that are relational, sustainable and dignity-affirming. Groups will work with and learn from organizations with whom we partner year round. Each day includes morning biblical reflection and videos to learn about housing justice and our partner organizations. Evenings include a justice-based curriculum to help your group connect what you are doing on the trip with how you will put your faith into action upon returning home. Nashville weeks can be customized for elementary through high school youth and family groups. Cost is $325 per participant for five nights. Shorter weeks for younger groups can be scheduled at $70 per participant per night. • Breakfast and Lunch, Monday morning through Friday morning. (Dinners are on your own.) • Lodging in a local church • A dedicated Site-Coordinator and trained young adult staff to facilitate your week • Fully planned service and educational experiences • Honorariums for speakers, costs for activities, entrance fees • A t-shirt for each participant • Printed discussion guides for small groups • Online consultation with Be the Neighbor planning staff in the spring • Online training for your adult leaders in late May or early June Note that your group is responsible for transportation during the week.