What Urban Housing Solutions does

Urban Housing Solutions (UHS) is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that develops and manages affordable housing for the city's homeless, low-income, and workforce populations. Operating as Nashville's largest nonprofit affordable housing provider, UHS holds a portfolio of more than 30 properties containing roughly 1,300 developed housing units and 900+ managed apartments, supplemented by approximately 17,000 square feet of commercial space. Its portfolio spans standard studio-through-4-bedroom apartment communities alongside specialized programs: Fisk Court (permanent supportive housing for homeless youth, in partnership with Oasis Center), Friendship Houses (housing for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, co-developed with Vanderbilt University), Journeys of Hope (recovery housing for substance use disorder), Porter East (deaf and hard-of-hearing residents), and HOPWA-partnered HIV/AIDS housing. Supportive services include The Clinic at Mercury Courts, transportation assistance, life skills training, and coordinated mental health and substance abuse referrals.

The business model is a hybrid of sub-market residential leasing, commercial rental, charitable donations, and government/grant funding. 2023 rents are set at $1,000 (efficiency), $1,100 (1BR), $1,250 (2BR), and $1,350 (3BR), with Section 8 vouchers and other subsidies accepted across the portfolio. The organization is governed by a board chaired by Michael Lewis and led day-to-day by CEO Chris Cowart (who succeeded founder Rusty Lawrence in 2020), with director-level oversight of Property Management, Facilities, Finance, and Resident Services. Capital is sourced through a deep institutional network including HUD, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Foundation, Enterprise Community Partners, and Sun Trust Community Capital, alongside Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity and Barnes Housing Trust Fund grants. Tenant acquisition flows primarily through the Metro Coordinated Entry System, partner-agency referrals (Room in the Inn, Nashville Rescue Mission, Oasis Center, VA-TVHS, and others), and the RealPage online leasing platform. The organization has stated a public goal of adding 1,000 more apartments over the next five years against a backdrop of a projected 31,000-unit Nashville affordable housing deficit by 2025.

Name

Urban Housing Solutions

Legal name

Urban Housing Solutions

Website

https://urbanhousingsolutions.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Urban Housing Solutions is Nashville's largest nonprofit affordable housing provider, operating 30+ properties with ~1,300 developed units and 900+ managed apartments. Founded in 1991, it serves homeless, low-income, and workforce populations with specialized programs for deaf, IDD, recovery, and HIV/AIDS residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Community Housing Services (62422), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Independent Living Community Development & Construction (Senior Housing Developers) (HLADAAAH)

Keywords

• Affordable housing
• Nonprofit housing services
• Real estate development
• Supportive housing
• Homeless services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Residential Rental Income: Revenue generated from renting affordable housing units to qualified low-income individuals and families. Properties include various apartment types from studios to 4-bedroom units across Nashville.
2. Commercial Rental Income: Revenue from renting commercial spaces including 14 incubator spaces at Porter East for neighborhood retail businesses, commercial spaces at North Fourth, and 500 SF spaces at 3rd and Chestnut.
3. Charitable Donations and Grants: The organization relies on charitable contributions and public funding to develop new properties and connect residents with support programs. Donations are tax-deductible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Urban Housing Solutions develops, owns, and operates affordable rental housing and related supportive services for low-income, homeless, and workforce individuals and families, primarily in Nashville, Tennessee. Its offerings span multifamily residential properties, select commercial spaces, on-site resident services, and an on-site healthcare clinic serving its residents.

Product overview

Urban Housing Solutions is Nashville's largest nonprofit provider of affordable housing, offering a portfolio of residential properties and commercial spaces. The organization operates a platform of apartment communities ranging from studios to 4-bedroom units, including specialized housing for homeless populations, deaf/hard-of-hearing residents, individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, those recovering from substance abuse (Journeys of Hope program), and families. Supportive services include transportation assistance, healthcare (The Clinic at Mercury Courts), service coordination, and HIV/AIDS support. The portfolio spans over 30 properties with approximately 1,300 housing units and 17,000+ square feet of commercial space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Journeys of Hope: Recovery housing program for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, providing affordable, sober housing environments for low-income clients in active recovery.

Products and services

• 26th and Clarksville Phase II & III An affordable multifamily rental housing development by Urban Housing Solutions in Nashville, offering units to low-income and workforce households. Phase II and Phase III represent sequential phases of the same community.
• Millennium An affordable multifamily rental housing property operated by Urban Housing Solutions, providing rental homes to qualifying low-income households in Nashville.
• Journeys of Hope A supportive/recovery-oriented housing program operated by Urban Housing Solutions, providing stable housing as part of recovery from homelessness or addiction for individuals in Nashville.
• Friendship Houses A community-based affordable housing program operated by Urban Housing Solutions, providing stable rental housing and supportive services to residents in need.
• Fisk Court An affordable rental housing property operated by Urban Housing Solutions in Nashville.
• Mercury Courts (including The Clinic at Mercury Courts) An affordable housing property operated by Urban Housing Solutions that includes The Clinic at Mercury Courts, an on-site healthcare service providing medical care to residents and the surrounding community.
• Porter East (Deaf-Friendly) A deaf-friendly affordable rental housing property operated by Urban Housing Solutions, featuring accessibility features designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents.
• Porter East Commercial Commercial rental space within the Porter East mixed-use development of Urban Housing Solutions, available to small businesses, nonprofits, and other commercial tenants.
• North Fourth Commercial Commercial rental property owned and operated by Urban Housing Solutions, available to commercial tenants in Nashville.
• 3rd and Chestnut Commercial Commercial rental property owned and operated by Urban Housing Solutions, available to commercial tenants in Nashville.
• Resident Portal An online resident-facing portal powered by RealPage/PropertyBoss that allows Urban Housing Solutions tenants to submit applications, pay rent, request maintenance, and access resident services information.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1,300 housing units developed and managed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Care FellowshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes Nashville's homeless and underserved populations by providing a daytime haven of safety, acceptance, and love.
• The Mary Parrish CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides survivors of interpersonal violence and their children safe, accessible and compassionate housing with individualized care that promotes healing, autonomy and hope.
• Mental Health CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-service behavioral healthcare for adults, children and adolescents.
• Metro Nashville Homelessness CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking to place homeless individuals and families into stable housing.
• Nashville CAREScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy and support for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS.
• Nashville Downtown PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA private sector, nonprofit corporation committed to making Downtown Nashville a compelling urban center where residents can live, work, play, and invest.
• Our Place NashvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocates for affordable housing for Nashvillians managing intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Park CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowering those with mental illness and substance use disorders to live and work in their communities.
• Trevecca Nazarene UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Christian community partnering with UHS to offer health and wellness workshops.
• YWCA Nashville & Middle TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelping women, girls and families build safer, more self-sufficient lives by eliminating racism and promoting peace, justice and dignity.
• Oasis CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated Nashville's first permanent supportive housing community for homeless youth at Fisk Court. Identifies potential residents and offers adjunct social services.
• CenterstonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health and substance abuse services partner for wrap-around services.
• Vanderbilt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation to supply housing and supportive care to low-income individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Friendship Houses.
• Affordable Housing Resources, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServing low- to moderate-income Nashville and Middle Tennessee families by laying a foundation for successful homeownership.
• Be a Helping Hand FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProviding no-cost job readiness training as well as single- and multi-family housing options for inner-city young adults.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater NashvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstructing and recycling homes using sustainable, green building practices.
• New Level Community Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowering people and communities through housing, education and supportive resources.
• Woodbine Community OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA HUD-approved housing agency creating opportunities for affordable housing, financial education and civic services.
• The Housing FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides resources to help individuals and communities create and maintain affordable and healthy places to live.
• License Restoration ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport services partner for wrap-around services.
• Mending HeartsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubstance abuse recovery services partner for residents in recovery.
• Open TableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity support services partner.
• Welcome Home MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport services partner for residents.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Housing Fund (Nashville): Local Nashville nonprofit CDFI providing affordable housing financing and education. Directly comparable as a Nashville-based affordable housing nonprofit serving overlapping populations and even listed as a UHS partner.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville: Greater Nashville affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit developing affordable/sustainable housing for low- to moderate-income families. Same geography and similar population; UHS lists Habitat as a partner.
• Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA): Public housing authority for Nashville-Davidson County, operating public housing units and voucher programs. Directly comparable as the public-sector peer providing affordable housing and Section 8 administration in the same geography.
• Affordable Housing Resources, Inc. Nashville-area HUD-approved counseling agency supporting low- to moderate-income families toward homeownership. Comparable nonprofit peer in the same geography focused on affordable housing pathways.
• Woodbine Community Organization: Nashville-based HUD-approved housing agency providing affordable housing, financial education, and civic services. Directly comparable as a peer nonprofit offering affordable housing services and listed as a UHS partner.
• New Level Community Development Corporation: Nashville CDC providing housing, education, and supportive resources to empower people and communities. Comparable mission-driven nonprofit affordable housing peer operating in UHS's market.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator serving low-income families, seniors, and people with special needs. Comparable model (nonprofit developer + supportive services) at much larger national scale.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that invests capital, develops policy, and partners with affordable housing developers. Listed as a UHS financial partner and provides the broader national-scale reference point for UHS's operating model.
• Volunteers of America (Mid-States): National nonprofit operating affordable housing, recovery, and supportive services programs — comparable to UHS's continuum-of-care model including recovery housing (Journeys of Hope equivalent).

Regional players

• BRIDGE Housing Corporation: West Coast-focused nonprofit affordable housing developer of ~30,000 units. Comparable large-scale nonprofit developer/operator model, but geographically concentrated in California/Oregon/Washington.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UrbanHousing615

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Urban Housing Solutions