Data center development has recently become a topic of growing concern, across Louisville and communities across the United States. As the demand for technological advancement increases with expansion into cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), remote work, and storage, many communities, like our own, are being asked to evaluate how “hyperscale” data centers fit into their housing, economic, environmental, and long-term planning goals. This is a pivotal moment for Louisville – while data centers claim to bring tax revenue and jobs to the city, they also raise important questions regarding land use, power and water consumption, public safety, and environmental impacts. The Metropolitan Housing Coalition (MHC) believes that data centers put a strain on housing and utility costs, strain water resources and the electrical grid, pose environmental health and safety risks, and inhabit space that could be used to combat the housing needs of the community. If they materialize, we need to ensure that regulations are in place to protect Louisvillians and the greater community. This policy paper seeks to provide a clear overview of the effect of data center development on affordability and health in our community, implications of increased cost and usage, and community priorities.