SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. —
A virtual panel discussion was held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 to address homelessness and affordable housing issues in Shelby County.
District 12 County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon teamed up with Judge Deborah Means Henderson and two real estate experts to discuss potential solutions.
The entire panel agreed that the demand for affordable housing in Shelby County is greater than the supply.
“We still have a deficit in the housing stock when it comes affordable housing,” said Founder of DreamTeam Realty Co. Rasheedah Jones.
Commissioner Sugarmon said the county is unable to step in as much as she would like, because of the budget.
"We're facing all kinds of restraints when it comes to the ability to help because our tax base is shrinking. People are moving out because of crime, because of the blight," said Sugarmon.
Judge means said up to 70% of her case load in 2023 was dealing with evictions. To help tenants and landlords across the county, she started an evictions education program.
"The objectives for the program are simply housing stability and to make sure the housing people are living in is habitable. That it's adequate," said Henderson.
More potential solutions from Jones and Founder of Infinity Group Realtors, Inc. Daryl Lewis included creating more incentive programs for developers that build affordable housing units. Lewis also is asking homeowners to consider redeveloping their properties when they move out instead of selling them.
"Don't sell that land. Redevelop that land to create an opportunity for someone else to have decent, safe affordable housing,” said Lewis.
This conversation was part of a social justice series of panel discussions. The next one is Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.