This report serves three primary purposes, discussed in more detail below:
1. To inform and stimulate local housing conversations among often siloed stakeholder groups (i.e. bankers and community leaders);
2. To establish a credible source of facts and data related to housing/neighborhood conditions in the City of Memphis; and
3. To democratize, popularize, and disseminate the housing expertise found within the city of Memphis HCD, as well as throughout the local housing field.
There are many data points included in the report that provide a clear image of the challenges that we face. However, this report does not attempt to prescribe solutions for all of the challenges identified herein. There are still some important takeaways for the reader:
• The City has changed dramatically over the past 50 years, with an increased geography, persistent residential segregation, and a shift from ownershipto rental in many neighborhoods.
• There are similarities and differences between the 2008 housing crisis and the current COVID-19 pandemic, but we can use lessons learned to identify successful interventions that will help with the future recovery.
• The City has taken a significant step forward through Memphis 3.0 to assess existing conditions and leverage this information for neighborhood revitalization, including the realm of housing.
