May 29, 2025 - Local Brief

Nashville outlines plans for a portable pod shelter village

Derek Lacey

Pallet shelters will bolster the city's emergency infrastructure, Metro Nashville says. Image: courtesy of Pallet — Pallet shelters will help strengthen the city's emergency infrastructure, Metro Nashville says. Image: Courtesy of Pallet

After debating their safety for years, Metro is looking for nonprofits to create and operate a village of up to 25 Pallet shelters to use as temporary housing.

Why it matters: The pre-built pods will be used for people experiencing homelessness who cannot access group shelters. That might include people with pets or couples that want to stay together.

They could also serve as isolation areas for people with COVID-19.

Flashback: The city bought 108 Pallet shelters during the height of the pandemic for quarantine and isolation. But it took years to get the state's approval to use them due to safety concerns.

The bottom line: A participating nonprofit must prepare a site and ensure compliance for the 64-square-foot single or 100-square-foot double units. They'll need to track shelter use and meet requirements for infrastructure and on-site supportive services.

Organizations have until June 4 to submit concept papers and June 20 for full proposals.

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Nashville outlines plans for a portable pod shelter village

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