Report: Nashville tenant rep pilot meets tenant goals, saves money
03/20/2025
,
Tennessee
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Pilot
, Housing - Evictions
A report by Stout took a deep look at Nashville’s “Eviction Right to Counsel Pilot Program” [NOTE: Nashville does not have an enacted right to counsel, but rather is testing out expanded representation and gathering data that could support a RTC]. The program provided different level of services for tenants, with 43% receiving full-scope representation, 43% counsel and advice, and 14% “limited action” (which was somewhere in between counsel/advice and full representation. The report found that:
- 93% of tenants who sought to avoid an eviction or involuntary move were able to do so with the help of the pilot;
- The pilot saved the City $2.50 and the tenants $2.60 for every $1 spent.
- 57% of the pilot’s clients were working at the time they were represented, while 44% of those who were not working indicated they had a disability.
- 37% of the tenants owed only 1 month or less of rent at the time they faced eviction, while 60% of all tenants owing rent indicated they could pay some or all of the back rent.
At full implementation, Stout estimates that the program would cost $9.3 million but that it would generate $33.4-$43.9 million in savings. The report’s release was covered by WSMV 4 and WZTV Nashville.
