Where Nashville's affordable housing programs are located

Nashville's affordable housing is managed through several bodies, and which one you contact depends on what type of housing you need. The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) runs the largest programs, including public housing and housing vouchers. The Nashville Housing Fund focuses on down payment help and homeownership. Community nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity Nashville and The Contributor operate their own rental and ownership programs. Your first step is to call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Tennessee) and tell them your situation — they will tell you which program has openings right now and what documents you need.

Nashville's affordable housing stock is spread across the city, but most programs prioritize people living or working in Davidson County. If you are homeless or in an emergency, contact the Nashville Homeless Services intake line at 615-862-5750. They manage the coordinated entry system, which is the official waiting list for transitional and permanent supportive housing.

Key Takeaways

  • MDHA runs public housing and housing vouchers; the Nashville Housing Fund handles down payment and homeownership programs; nonprofits operate separate rental programs.
  • Call 211 to find out which programs have openings now, because many programs close when funds run out and reopen later in the year.
  • You will need proof of income, a photo ID, and a Social Security number for most programs; homeownership programs also require a credit check and proof of employment.
  • Wait times vary from a few weeks for emergency housing to several years for standard public housing, depending on the program and your priority level.
  • If you are homeless or in crisis, contact Nashville Homeless Services directly rather than waiting for a 211 referral.

MDHA housing vouchers and public housing

MDHA operates two main rental programs. Housing vouchers (also called Section 8) give you money to rent from a private landlord of your choice. Public housing means you rent an apartment that MDHA owns directly. Both programs require your household income to be below a certain amount — for a single person in Nashville, that is roughly $30,000 to $35,000 per year, though the exact limit changes yearly and depends on household size.

The waiting list for both programs is long. Public housing typically has a wait of two to five years. Housing vouchers may have a shorter wait in some neighborhoods, but MDHA periodically closes the list when it grows too large. Call MDHA directly at 615-252-8300 to ask if the list is open. If it is closed, ask when it typically reopens — this information helps you plan.

To be considered, you must provide proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), a photo ID, and your Social Security number. If you have an eviction record or criminal history, you are not automatically disqualified — MDHA reviews each case individually, but some convictions and recent evictions can affect approval.

Down payment help and homeownership programs

The Nashville Housing Fund offers down payment information and closing cost help for first-time homebuyers. Their program typically covers 3 to 5 percent of the purchase price, which can mean $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the home price. You must have a household income below 80 percent of the area median income (roughly $55,000 to $65,000 for a single person, varying by household size) and a credit score of at least 620.

You also need to complete a homebuyer education course, which takes about eight hours and covers budgeting, mortgage basics, and home maintenance. The Housing Fund can refer you to approved courses in Nashville. The entire process — from course completion to closing — usually takes two to four months, but it depends on how quickly you find a home and get a mortgage approval.

Habitat for Humanity Nashville also builds and sells homes to low-income families. Their program requires you to contribute 250 to 500 hours of "sweat equity" (working on the construction of your home or others' homes), have a household income between 30 and 60 percent of area median income, and demonstrate a need for housing. Their homes sell for $50,000 to $120,000 depending on location, and you receive a zero-interest mortgage.

Nonprofit rental programs and supportive housing

Several Nashville nonprofits run their own rental programs outside of MDHA. The Contributor operates supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals and families, combining affordable rent with case management and job training. Room in the Inn provides emergency shelter and transitional housing. Siloam Health runs housing for people with chronic health conditions and disabilities. Each program has different income limits and may be able to access rules, so calling 211 is the fastest way to learn which one matches your situation.

Supportive housing programs often prioritize people who are currently homeless or at when ready risk of homelessness. They typically charge rent between 25 and 30 percent of your income, meaning if you earn $1,200 per month, you pay $300 to $360 in rent. The rest of your income is yours to keep. These programs often include case management, mental health services, or job coaching at no extra cost.

Income limits and what counts as income

Most Nashville affordable housing programs use income limits based on the area median income (AMI), which is set each year by the federal government. For 2024, the AMI for Nashville is approximately $78,000 for a single person and $111,000 for a family of four. Programs typically serve households at 30, 50, or 80 percent of AMI — meaning a program at 60 percent AMI would serve a single person earning up to roughly $47,000 per year.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, disability payments, unemployment benefits, child support, and alimony. It does not include one-time payments like tax refunds or insurance settlements. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide two years of tax returns. If you receive benefits, bring your award letter from the Social Security Administration or your state benefits office.

Documents you need to bring

Every program requires a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, tax return, or W-2). You will also need proof of income: recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the last two years, or a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title and monthly income. If you receive benefits, bring your award letter.

For housing vouchers and public housing, bring proof of residency in Davidson County (a utility bill or lease in your name). For homeownership programs, you will need a credit report (the program can order this) and proof of employment. If you have experienced homelessness, bring documentation of that status — a shelter letter, case manager letter, or police report of a welfare check. Bring everything in a folder so you do not lose it between appointments.

How to start: the 211 call and next steps

Dial 2-1-1 from any phone and tell the specialist your housing situation: Are you renting or looking to buy? What is your household income? Do you have any urgent needs (homeless, eviction notice, unsafe housing)? The specialist will tell you which programs have openings, what documents you need, and how to contact them. Write down the program name, phone number, and the specialist's name in case you need to follow up.

After you call 211, contact the program directly. Do not wait for 211 to refer you — call the program yourself and ask when intake appointments are available. Many programs have long wait times between when you call and when you can meet with a caseworker, so calling early matters. If a program says the wait is more than a month, ask if you can get on a callback list or if there are other programs with shorter waits.

Bring all your documents to your first appointment. Programs move faster when you have everything they ask for. If you are missing something, ask the caseworker for a list of what you still need and a important date for submitting it. Most programs give you 10 to 14 days to provide missing documents before they close your file.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have an eviction on my record?

An eviction does not automatically disqualify you from MDHA or nonprofit programs, but it does slow the process. MDHA reviews each case individually and considers how long ago the eviction happened and why. If it was more than three years ago, your chances improve. Bring documentation showing you have paid rent on time since then — bank statements or landlord letters help. Nonprofit programs are often more flexible than MDHA.

Can I get housing if I am not a U.S. citizen?

MDHA housing vouchers and public housing require you to be a U.S. citizen or have a green card. Some nonprofit programs serve non-citizens, particularly if you are a refugee or have legal permanent resident status. Call 211 and mention your immigration status — they can direct you to programs that accept your situation.

How long does it take to get approved?

For housing vouchers and public housing, you get on a waiting list first; approval can take months or years depending on your priority and the program's size. For down payment help, approval takes two to four weeks once you submit documents. For nonprofit rental programs, approval usually takes two to six weeks. Emergency housing (if you are homeless) can move faster — sometimes within days.

What if I have a criminal record?

MDHA and most nonprofits do not automatically reject people with criminal records. They review each case and consider the type of offense, how long ago it happened, and whether you have been stable since. Violent felonies and drug manufacturing convictions are harder to overcome. Be honest on your process — programs will run a background check anyway, and dishonesty can disqualify you.

Can I explore to multiple programs at the same time?

Yes. You can explore to MDHA, the Nashville Housing Fund, and nonprofit programs simultaneously. There is no penalty for explore to more than one. In fact, it is smart to explore to several because programs have different wait times and income limits. Just make sure you understand each program's requirements before you explore so you do not waste time on programs you do not meet.