Jackson, Tenn. – The City of Jackson has been selected by the NYU Furman Center’s Housing Solutions Lab as one of seven jurisdictions nationwide to join the 2026 Homeless Response Peer Network. Supported by funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this initiative brings together municipal leaders and local service providers to strengthen, scale, and innovate local homeless response efforts.
"Addressing homelessness requires thoughtful, cross-system collaboration and data-driven solutions,” said Mayor Scott Conger. “Being selected for the NYU Housing Solutions Lab Peer Network gives Jackson a valuable seat at the national table. As our city continues to grow, this partnership will help us identify service gaps, strengthen our local support network, and develop compassionate, practical strategies that deliver meaningful, long-term results for our most vulnerable residents."
“Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, as a leading entity in addressing homelessness in Jackson, is fortunate to partner with the City of Jackson, in the 2026 Homeless Response Peer Network with six other cities throughout the United States,” said Dr. Vicki Lake, Director of Community Health Institute. “We specifically want to focus on unsheltered homeless in Jackson. We hope to learn and develop strategies to address our homeless issues in Jackson through monthly meetings, curriculum, and discussions with other communities.”
Strengthening Local Systems & Partnerships
Localities across the country are facing mounting challenges to expand support services while navigating tight local budgets and shifts in traditional funding streams. Running from September 2026 through February 2027, the Peer Network will host monthly virtual working sessions where participating city teams will collaborate with national experts and peer communities.
Through this program, the Housing Solutions Lab will guide Jackson leadership through a comprehensive assessment of the city's current homeless response system to identify gaps, enhance operational capacity, build new cross-system partnerships, and implement sustainable, high-impact strategies.
“These seven communities have shown a strong commitment to strengthening their local homeless response efforts,” said Sean Quitzau, City Engagement Manager at the Housing Solutions Lab. “Through this network, we’re looking forward to helping them turn complex challenges into actionable, practical strategies that deliver meaningful results for their residents.”
A National Cohort
Jackson was selected from a competitive nationwide pool of applicants alongside six other city and county teams:
- Allentown, PA
- Biddeford, ME
- Columbia, MO
- Ithaca, NY
- Prince William County, VA
- South Bend, IN
About the Housing Solutions Lab
The Housing Solutions Lab at the NYU Furman Center helps small and medium-sized cities plan, design, and implement data-driven housing policies that advance equity, health, and opportunity. Funding for the 2026 Homeless Response Peer Network is generously provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.