NASHVILLE, Tn. (Sept. 16, 2025) — A widening gap between housing supply and demand is creating a significant burden on families across Tennessee. Since 2010, the state’s population has swelled by 850,000 residents, but home construction has failed to keep pace. As housing costs rise much faster than wages, hundreds of thousands of residents are left spending over one-third of their income on housing, which in turn impacts their economic security, health and educational opportunities.
The Sycamore Institute is addressing these critical issues with a statewide housing policy summit in Nashville on Thursday, September 18. This year’s summit will offer a deep dive into Tennessee’s housing landscape, investigating its importance, how it became so expensive and the array of federal, state and local policies currently shaping the market.
“Housing is one of the most pressing and complex policy challenges facing Tennessee today,” said Brian Straessle, the president of the Sycamore Institute. “This year’s Housing Policy Summit is an opportunity to bring together a variety of voices and data-driven insights to better understand the forces shaping our housing landscape—and to explore actionable solutions that meet the needs of communities across the state.”
The summit is sold out with over 180 people anticipated to attend and get a chance to engage in solutions-focused conversations about the specific levers and best practices to address the unique housing needs and goals of communities statewide. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to leaders from across the state that are actively addressing Tennessee’s housing needs.
Speakers at The Housing Policy Summit include:
• Gem Bell, Civic leader, Brownsville
• Brooxie Carlton, Tennessee Economic and Community Development
• Dhathri Chunduru, Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)
• Hanneke van Deursen, City of Chattanooga
• Laurel Graefe, former Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank executive
• Joshua Haston, LDG Development
• Jamie Hollin, Land Use and Zoning Lawyer
• Rollin Horton, Nashville Metro Council
• Maeghan Jones, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
• Ralph Perrey, Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)
• Maggie Riden, Fahe
• Mandy Spears, the Sycamore Institute
• Brian Straessle, the Sycamore Institute
• Matt Wiltshire, Pathway Lending
• John Zeanah, City of Memphis
“Tennessee’s housing crisis is only going to be solved when we come together from all levels of leadership to have open conversations about the needs within our state,” said Ralph Perrey, Executive Director of THDA. “It’s essential we address the unique housing challenges in each of our communities, from urban centers to rural towns, to build a truly comprehensive approach. This summit provides the necessary space to turn our shared concerns into shared solutions.”
The summit is being sponsored by THDA, The Housing Fund, Amazon, Carey Parker and Pat Curtsinger, Gresham Smith and Pinnacle Financial Partners
More information about the Housing Policy Summit can be found on the Sycamore Institute’s website.