As homelessness concerns grow the talk of what to do to help those who live on the street continues. Some ask, could the county pay for a new shelter that provides temporary housing and perhaps more for homeless? Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron responds...



Rutherford County and the City of Murfreesboro have both invested $40,000 into the HOUSING, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ALLIANCE OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY (H3ARC) in hopes of bringing new ideas to the table. The local non-profit organization is composed of over 60 nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, faith-based organizations and individuals serving those experiencing a housing crisis in our community.

H3ARC Problem Statement: Rutherford County is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States with over 300,000 people. It is a vibrant, culturally diverse community. According to Rutherford Works, the total number of households in Rutherford County is 117,744 with a median household income of $64,982. However, 41.9% households have income less than $50,000, with 17.3% less than $25,000. It is even more evident in our county schools with 40% of the students on free/reduced lunch. From a systems perspective, we know that issues such as housing instability, education level, mental and physical health issues, past trauma, interaction with the criminal justice system, current relationship issues (domestic violence, divorce, households led by single parents), and substance abuse can be barriers to self sufficiency. Through the mandated Coordinated Entry process, H3ARC is building a system to provide guidance, resources, and referrals for members. As an umbrella organization, H3ARC has an opportunity to enhance provider collaboration and reduce duplication of services.