October 2025 Legislative Updates

We are very excited to send you this month's Legislative Update. Find below updates from the City, County, State, and National Legislative Agencies.

City of Memphis

Neighborhood Impact Tours Fight Blight in Memphis

Memphis continues to fight blight and strengthen neighborhoods through Neighborhood Impact Tours, led by Karen Gause and Community Enhancement Director Melanie Neal. City teams, including Public Works, Solid Waste, Code Enforcement, 311, Communications, and MPD, walk blocks with residents to hear concerns and take immediate action. Recent tours in Orange Mound addressed overgrowth, debris, and planning for strategic camera placements, while also creating jobs through the Public Service Corps.

By combining proactive and responsive efforts, these tours build trust, community connection, and visible progress, showing how government and residents can work together to make Memphis stronger. BLDG Memphis is happy to support the ongoing efforts to better our neighborhoods as part of the BLIGHT Elimination Steering Team. To learn more about this effort, contact Karen Gause at [email protected].

Memphis Public Safety Updates

At BLDG Memphis, we know that safe, thriving neighborhoods are the foundation of a strong city. That’s why we want to make sure our members and community partners stay in the know about the latest efforts to enhance public safety in Memphis.

The Memphis Safe Task Force officially began operations the week of September 29, bringing together local law enforcement, community partners, and support resources to address crime and improve neighborhood safety. Tennessee National Guard patrols joined the effort on October 10, providing additional support to ensure safer streets across the city.

To help residents track these efforts and stay informed on both federal and state actions supporting public safety, the City of Memphis launched a dedicated webpage. Visit memphistn.gov/safeandclean to learn more about the Task Force, upcoming initiatives, and how these efforts are helping Memphis neighborhoods thrive.

Shelby County

Changes to the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Effective November 3, 2025, the Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA) will implement major updates to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Councilwoman Pearl Eva Walker, Co-Chair of the MLGW Committee, advises residents that all Crisis Assistance applications must now be submitted online at www.shelbycountycsa.org. Paper applications and walk-ins will no longer be accepted. Applications are currently being wait-listed, and payments will not be processed until the portal reopens. Only crisis applications will be processed initially.

For more information on application criteria or the application process, visit www.shelbycountycsa.org or call (901) 222-4200.

Shelby County to Statewide: Tenant Screening Reform and Housing Access

BLDG Memphis is proud to support efforts to advance tenant protections and housing access in Tennessee. Alongside Knox County, our Shelby County team participated in the national “Unlocked” Tenant Screening Sprint, a program designed to reduce housing discrimination and improve fairness in tenant screening practices. Through this work, we highlighted the urgent need to seal eviction records at filing, limit landlord access to eviction data, and ensure tenants, particularly those from communities disproportionately affected by eviction, have equitable access to safe, stable housing.

Building on this work, the Knox and Shelby County cohorts were awarded a competitive grant to collaborate with Housing for All Tennessee (H4ATN), a statewide coalition focused on affordable housing, tenants’ rights, and ending homelessness. BLDG Memphis previously partnered with H4ATN and Shelby County cohort members for a Day at the Hill for Housing and Homelessness. Together, we are launching a public education campaign on unfair screening practices, conducting statewide tenant and landlord surveys, and analyzing the results to develop evidence-based policy recommendations. This work will be supported by trainings, webinars, and presentations reaching local government leaders, developers, and community members, ensuring that findings inform policy decisions throughout Tennessee.

This initiative represents a major step toward statewide impact. BLDG Memphis, its local partners, and H4ATN are working together to transform tenant screening practices, reduce eviction-driven displacement, and build a more equitable housing ecosystem. By combining grassroots advocacy, data-driven research, and strategic coalition-building, we aim to create sustainable solutions that increase housing stability for all Tennesseans and provide the security and opportunity that come with a stable home.

Learn more about the national sprint and best practices at Results for America.

State of Tennessee

HB1229: Expanding Financing Tools for Affordable Housing in Memphis

BLDG Memphis, in partnership with the Memphis Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), is exploring ways to strengthen affordable housing development within CRA TIF districts through the Tennessee Affordable Housing Finance Bill (HB1229/SB1137). The proposal is designed to create a complementary financing tool—not to replace or undermine the Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board (HEHF), which remains the primary authority for issuing tax-exempt bonds for multifamily housing.

The goal is to stack financial tools for projects in CRA districts. Currently, developers have separate financing paths: the CRA provides TIF revenues for public improvements and soft costs, while HEHF bonds paired with 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) support project capital. By amending the statute and establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the CRA could administer bonds (with EDGE managing compliance), allowing developers to combine LIHTCs with TIF resources in a single, efficient capital stack. This integration helps close financing gaps and supports more competitive, viable affordable housing projects in historically underserved areas.

The proposal specifically targets projects within CRA TIF districts, ensuring alignment with the CRA’s mission to drive neighborhood revitalization. BLDG Memphis is committed to engaging affordable housing developers, lenders, and key stakeholders to assess feasibility, review pro-forma benefits, and ensure this tool meets the practical needs of pipeline projects like those managed by The Works, Inc.

This initiative represents a strategic, collaborative approach to expanding affordable housing financing while respecting existing authorities, enhancing developer capacity, and promoting equitable neighborhood revitalization in Memphis.

Congressman Cohen Expresses Concern Over Threats to the Voting Rights Act

Congressman Steve Cohen has expressed concern that the U.S. Supreme Court may allow state legislatures to ignore the racial impacts of voting maps, which could weaken the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He warned that such a decision could undo six decades of progress in protecting fair representation.

With Republican supermajorities in states like Tennessee, this ruling could lead to new gerrymandering that limits the ability of cities such as Memphis to elect leaders who reflect their communities. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act ensures that every vote counts equally, regardless of race or color. If it is struck down, millions of Black voters could lose fair representation across the South.

“Representation is power, and that’s what will be stripped from us,” said Congressman Cohen. “I will never stop fighting for your right to be heard, and for our votes in Memphis to matter.”

BLDG Memphis stands with Congressman Cohen in supporting equal representation and protecting every Memphian’s right to vote.

National

People & Places: A National Gathering for Community Developers

BLDG Memphis joined The Community Opportunity Alliance and four national community development organizations to co-host the People & Places Conference, held October 5–7 in Washington, DC. The event brought together more than 350 community developers from across the country to explore innovative strategies for serving communities, advocate for federal support on Capitol Hill, and envision the future of the field.

Tim Green Jr., Director of Capacity Building at BLDG Memphis, was among the featured speakers, sharing insights on economic development, local community development efforts, and strategies to strengthen civic engagement and equitable investment. Plenary sessions highlighted how philanthropy can adapt amid shrinking federal support and how community developers can help rebuild trust and connection in their communities.

Session details, presentations, and handouts are available on the Agenda webpage.

ROAD to Housing Act Passes Senate

The ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 is a bipartisan bill passed by the Senate in October 2025 that aims to increase housing supply and affordability by streamlining regulations, reforming programs, and providing new tools for communities. The bill has now moved to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Key provisions include simplifying NEPA reviews for small housing projects and incentivizing credit unions to offer smaller mortgages, expanding the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Moving to Work (MTW) programs, and strengthening the Rural Housing Service for affordable rural housing. The Act also directs HUD to help communities address zoning and land-use barriers, permanently authorizes the CDBG-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, launches an adaptive reuse pilot program to convert vacant buildings into affordable housing, and raises the Public Welfare Investment cap for certain banks from 15% to 20%.

BLDG Memphis will continue to monitor the bill’s progress in the House and its potential impact on housing opportunities in Memphis and across Tennessee.

BUILDING MEMPHIS TOGETHER - Highlighting the work of local leaders, advocates and organizations.

BLDG Memphis Spotlight | Anchor CDC Groundbreaking

We are thrilled to welcome Anchor Community Development Corporation (Anchor CDC) as the newest member of BLDG Memphis! Earlier this year, Shnesa Wiggins connected with our Director of Advocacy during Day at the Hill for Housing and Homelessness to learn more about our work advancing equitable development across Memphis. That conversation laid the foundation for a partnership we are excited to grow.

On October 18th, Anchor CDC celebrated a major milestone with the Groundbreaking Ceremony & Community Block Gathering for their new A.N.C.H.O.R. Community Resource Center at 1497 Gold Ave. Their Executive Director, Shnesa Wiggins, worked with our Director of Capacity to ensure the event was a major success. The event brought together neighbors, community members, and local leaders to celebrate progress, partnership, and purpose. Attendees enjoyed food, live music, networking, and a first look at the new space that will serve as a hub for community programs and services.

Anchor CDC’s commitment to strengthening neighborhoods and creating opportunities aligns perfectly with BLDG Memphis’ mission. We look forward to collaborating with their team to advance equitable development and support thriving, resilient communities across Memphis.

#BLDGMemphis #ANCHORCDC #CommunityDevelopment #SouthMemphis

CALL TO ACTION | Your feedback will help identify key safety issues and guide effective solutions.

2055 Regional Transportation Plan Survey. Provide your input on the plan that defines the vision for the region's transportation system by taking the online survey (English & Español). For more information, visit https://memphismpo.org/

Memphis Medical District Annual Survey: We need your input in this quick survey that is shared annually, so we can create a more vibrant and safe Medical District. Please take the survey here.

Helpful Reading and Resources:

Advocacy and Lobbying 101

Affordable Housing

Equitable Development

Transit

Pedestrian Safety

TRACK TRUMP HERE: https://cohen.house.gov/TrumpAdminTracker

Upcoming Legislative Meetings

Congress.gov - Calendars and Schedules
State of Tennessee General Assembly -
- Senate Calendars, House Agendas and Subcommittee Calendars here.
Shelby County Commission- Agendas and Live Streaming Available Here
Memphis City Council- Agenda Available Here Live Streaming Available Here

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Bret Bilbrey published this page in Blog 2025-10-30 16:12:12 -0500