Urban Plunge‑‑When economically‑privileged people dress down, empty their wallets, and spend time on the streets as "poor" people, that experience is called a plunge.

The Mayoral Urban Plunge in Nashville is the first of it’s kinds any where in the country according to the National Coalition for the Homeless.  6 Candidates for Nashville Mayor have committed to spending 10 hours (10pm – 8am) out on the streets of Nashville . A true URBAN PLUNGE should be no less than 48 hours but we do understand that these candidate have very limited time.

Candidates Briley, Dean, Dozier and Gentry all committed to, and completed Urban Plunge the week of June 18th 2007. The purpose of the plunge was to provide the candidates with first-hand, direct experience of being homeless so they can fully understand the impact   public policy decisions have on those who are on the streets.

The Power Project has set forth goals for the candidates during their time.  Some of those goals are:

According to Michael Stoops, Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, “Economically-privileged people across the country have done urban plunges as a way to better understand homelessness.  It is the most effective way we have learned for people to understand this reality.  10 hours is not nearly enough and the suggested minimum PLUNGE is 48 hours but we are thankful that they are willing to do this night on the street. Having said that, as far as I know, the National Coalition for the Homeless has never heard of any other city in this country in which political candidates have agreed to do the Urban Plunge.  While this should be part of every candidate's campaign, unfortunately this is a rarity and is truly historic.”

This event was so successful it not only made world news, but the inspired the National Coalition for the Homeless to ask all 2008 presidential candidates to 'take the plunge'.

MEDIA COVERAGE:

Liberadio(!), 2007 06 21
I’m Not Homeless, But I Play One on TV
Liberadio(!) clips of the press conference following the Urban Plunge:
Cathie Buckner of the Homeless Power Project on David Briley’s Altercation at the Mission (00:02:13)
Richard of the Homeless Power Project on Howard Gentry (00:01:20)
Karl Dean on his experience (00:01:25)
Howard Gentry on his experience (1:24)
Full conference (00:24:30)

Tennessean, 2007 06 21
Mayoral rivals spend a night on the streets

Nashville WKRN, 2007 06 20
Potential Mayors Get Out On The Streets

Nashville WSMV, 2007 06 20
Mayoral Candidates Live Homeless For 8 Hours

Nashville WPLN, 2007 06 20
Mayoral Candidates Spend Night on Downtown Streets

Yahoo! News AP, 2007 06 20
Tenn. candidates go homeless for night This AP story was also spotted on The Guardian, The Herald Tribune (France), Pravda, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Houston Chronicle, Memphis WMC-TV, Memphis Eyewitness News, The Charlotte Observer, Nashville WTVF, and Yahoo! News Asia

Memphis Eyewitness News, 2007 06 20
Nashville mayoral candidates go homeless for a night