The Tennessee Guide to Section 8 Housing
Section 8 in Tennessee helps to make private market rents affordable so that recipients can avoid homelessness and unsafe living conditions. These vouchers provide housing stability and expanded choice for low-income families.
What is Section 8 Housing in Tennessee
Section 8 housing in Tennessee provides rental assistance to low-income residents through the federal government's Housing Choice Voucher program. The local housing authorities provide management and administration of the programs across the state. Families and individuals who qualify can receive vouchers to help pay for the housing of their choice.
What is the Most Section 8 Will Pay in Tennessee?
Fair Market Rent
The HUD Section 8 program pays rents for low-income households directly to private landlords. The Housing Authority of Tennessee will pay about 70% of a tenant’s rent, while the tenant will pay the other 30%. Fair Market Rents generally determine the maximum rent that a Section 8 landlord will be allowed to charge their residents. The table below shows current fair market rents for Tennessee.
The maximum amount that Section 8 will pay toward rent in Tennessee varies by county and is set by each local public housing authority. Payment standards start with the Fair Market Rents calculated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Typically, the payment standard ranges from 90-110% of the Fair Market Rent for each area.
The maximum subsidies Section 8 provides in the state generally depend on the county and size of the rental unit. Recipients can choose to rent units above the payment standard, but they must pay the difference out of pocket between the actual rent and the maximum subsidy provided.
What are the Tennessee Section 8 Housing Requirements?
To receive Section 8 in Tennessee, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria set at both the federal and state levels. The first requirement is having a household income below 50% of the area median income, though priority goes to those below 30% AMI.
Applicants also need to pass screening related to citizenship/immigration status, criminal background, and previous participation in assistance programs. All household members should provide documentation of their SSNs as well. The housing funded by Section 8 has to meet minimum standards of health and safety, which necessitates an inspection before moving in.
Once receiving benefits, Tennessee Section 8 participants have to comply with annual recertification of their income, notify the PHA of changes in household composition, maintain the housing unit, and participate in case management if required.
What are the Income Limits for Housing Assistance Programs in Tennessee?
Income Limit
Income Limits are maximum income limits allowed based on household size. The following limits were established by HUD for low income households to be eligible for housing assistance in Tennessee for 2024.
The income limits for Tennessee housing programs such as Section 8 use the average median income for each county or metropolitan area as a base. The limits vary across the state depending on the average household income in each location.
Housing authorities often express income limits for these programs as a percentage of AMI. Limits range from 30% of AMI to as much as 80% of AMI for low-income households.
Applicants should have incomes under the established limits for their household size and area to qualify for housing benefits in Tennessee. Annual adjustments reflect economic changes and allow providers to offer support to targeted income groups in each local housing market across the state.
How Long Does it Take to Get Approved for Section 8 in Tennessee?
The wait time to get approved for Section 8 vouchers in Tennessee can vary greatly depending on location. In some rural counties with smaller populations, the wait may only be a few months from application to voucher issuance.
But in major metro areas, including Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, wait times can stretch years due to high demand and limited voucher availability. Individual timelines depend on factors such as household size, income level, and priority status.
How To Qualify for Section 8 in Tennessee
The main qualification for Section 8 in Tennessee is having a household income at or below 50% of the area median income, though extremely low-income families get priority.
Applicants must also pass screening related to citizenship or eligible immigration status, criminal background, and previous participation in housing programs. All adults in the household must disclose and provide verification of their Social Security numbers. Applicants must supply all required documentation and consent to the local housing authority running background checks to determine eligibility.
How To Apply for Section 8 Housing in Tennessee
Interested households should contact the public housing authority that serves their county or city of residence. Each local PHA has its own application process and waiting list for the federal Housing Choice Voucher program. Typical application requirements include completing an application form with information on household composition, income, and current living situation.
Household members will need to provide documentation including photo IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and proof of income. There is no cost to submit a Section 8 application.
Applicants also need to respond to any request from the PHA to update their application while waiting for approval. When selected, they will undergo eligibility screening, voucher processing, and a housing unit inspection after finding a rental.
Can I transfer my Section 8 Voucher to Tennessee?
If a family wishes to move from another state to Tennessee, they must first get approval from the housing authority that currently administers their voucher. This involves notifying them of the intent to move and verifying that the tenant is in good standing. The housing authority in the destination area in Tennessee must then confirm to the initial PHA that they are absorbing the incoming voucher.
The receiving housing authority must have funding for vouchers available and may require the tenant to get on a waiting list first. There are restrictions for transfers across certain public housing authority jurisdictions. But in most cases, Section 8 recipients who meet program requirements can port their voucher and continue receiving assistance when moving within the U.S. This allows low-income families to pursue new opportunities in places such as Tennessee without losing their rental subsidies that provide stable and affordable housing.
Can I Buy a House with a Section 8 Voucher in Tennessee?
Participants in Section 8 in Tennessee can use their benefits to buy a home in certain circumstances. The Housing Choice Voucher homeownership program allows participants to use their voucher subsidies toward a mortgage rather than renting. To qualify, Section 8 recipients must meet work and income requirements, be a first-time homebuyer, and complete approved homeownership counseling.
The home purchased must also pass inspection by the local public housing authority administering the voucher. There are caps on the purchase price. Participants work with the housing authority and lenders to identify eligible homes. While not all recipients may be ready for homeownership, this program does provide a path for some Tennessee Section 8 tenants to buy an affordable house or condo using their rental voucher.
What are the Public Housing Authorities in Tennessee?
HUD Housing Authorities Serving Tennessee
Athens Housing Authority
Housing Authority
Bolivar Housing Authority
Housing AuthorityThere Are Currently 119 Units Available in the Bolivar Housing Authority. These Low-income Housing U...
Bristol Housing
Housing AuthorityThere Are Currently 564 Units Available in the Bristol Housing. These Low-income Housing Units Consi...
Brownsville Housing Authority
Housing AuthorityThere Are Currently 355 Units Available in the Brownsville Housing Authority. These Low-income Housi...
Chattanooga Housing Authority
Housing AuthorityThere Are Currently 5643 Units Available in the Chattanooga Housing Authority. These Low-income Hous...
Cleveland Housing Authority
Housing AuthorityThere Are Currently 655 Units Available in the Cleveland Housing Authority. These Low-income Housing...
Clinton Housing Authority
Housing AuthorityThere Are Currently 148 Units Available in the Clinton Housing Authority. These Low-income Housing U...
Columbia Housing and Redevelopment Corporation
Housing Authority
Covington Housing Authority
Housing AuthorityThere Are Currently 246 Units Available in the Covington Housing Authority. These Low-income Housing...
Crossville Housing Authority
Housing AuthorityThere Are Currently 730 Units Available in the Crossville Housing Authority. These Low-income Housin...
There are around 100 public housing authorities providing Section 8 vouchers and other rental subsidies across Tennessee. The housing authorities are local municipal or county government agencies that receive federal funding to administer housing programs.
Each PHA serves a specific jurisdiction and geographic area. They maintain waiting lists, issue vouchers, inspect units, and handle other administrative duties for low-income housing. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency provides statewide oversight and support for the local public housing authority network.
Tennessee Waiting List for Section 8 Housing
The Section 8 program in Tennessee has long waiting lists due to high demand and limited federal funding. Each local public housing authority maintains its own waitlist for Housing Choice Vouchers.
In major metropolitan areas of Tennessee, applicants may wait 3 years or longer from the time of application to receive a voucher. More rural areas of Tennessee tend to have shorter waits of 1-2 years.
The waiting list status for Section 8 in Tennessee depends on turnover rates and how many new vouchers the local housing authority receives each year.
Is Emergency Housing Assistance Available in Tennessee?
Emergency Rental Assistance Serving Tennessee
Davidson County HOPE (Housing, Opportunity, Partnership and Employment) Program
Program Type: County
Details: Offers emergency rental assistance, covid relief, utility assistance and more
Knox Housing Assistance Program
Program Type: County
Details: Offers emergency rental assistance, covid relief, utility assistance and more
Rutherford County COVID-19 Rent Relief Program
Program Type: County
Details: Offers emergency rental assistance, covid relief, utility assistance and more
Shelby County COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program
Program Type: County
Details: Offers emergency rental assistance, covid relief, utility assistance and more
Tennessee Housing Development Authority COVID-19 Rent Relief
Program Type: State
Details: Offers emergency rental assistance, covid relief, utility assistance and more
Tennessee does have emergency housing programs for residents facing immediate risk of homelessness. Key services include emergency shelters, rapid re-housing, homeless prevention funds, and transitional housing.
Major cities such as Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga have shelters and outreach centers to provide temporary accommodation for those in crisis. More emergency housing is available in larger urban areas than rural parts of Tennessee. Key providers are nonprofit organizations and social service agencies funded by HUD grants and other government sources.
Programs assist with short-term housing, case management, rent/utility help, and connection to more permanent housing solutions. Those at imminent risk of literal homelessness should contact local service providers to seek help accessing emergency housing relief.
When Should You Apply for Section 8 in Tennessee?
If your family could benefit from Section 8 in Tennessee, applying right away gives you the best chance of approval and a place on the waitlist. Check out the waitlists for more information about the program’s current status.
