What the Clarksville Housing Authority does

The Clarksville Housing Authority is a local government agency that manages public housing and rental information programs in Clarksville, Tennessee. It owns and operates apartment complexes for low-income residents and administers vouchers that help people pay rent at privately owned properties. The agency does not build or finance homes for purchase — it focuses on rental housing only.

The Authority serves Montgomery County and the city of Clarksville. It answers to a board of commissioners and operates with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If you are looking for help paying rent or need affordable housing, the Authority is the place to contact directly, not a website or third-party service.

Key Takeaways

  • The Clarksville Housing Authority manages public housing units and administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) for the Clarksville area.
  • You must contact the Authority directly by phone, mail, or in person to learn about current openings and program requirements.
  • Public housing and voucher programs have income limits and long waiting lists; the wait time varies and the list may be closed to new names.
  • The Authority's office is located in Clarksville, and staff can explain which program fits your situation and what documents you will need.
  • Programs are free to join, but you will pay a portion of your rent based on your income; the Authority does not charge fees.

Public housing managed by the Authority

The Clarksville Housing Authority owns and operates apartment buildings throughout Clarksville. These are called public housing units. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, which means lower-income households pay less. The Authority covers utilities, maintenance, and building upkeep.

Public housing units are older than market-rate apartments and may have longer wait times. The Authority maintains a waiting list, and the list may be closed when demand is high. You can contact the Authority to ask whether the list is open and how long the current wait is. Acceptance depends on income, household size, and background checks.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8, gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent at a privately owned apartment or house. You find the property yourself, and the landlord must agree to accept the voucher. The Authority pays the landlord directly, and you pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent.

Like public housing, vouchers are limited and have waiting lists. The list may be closed. If you are on the list, the wait can be months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers become available. The Authority will tell you the current wait time when you call.

Income limits and who can participate

Both public housing and vouchers are for households earning below a certain income threshold. The limit depends on household size and changes yearly. For example, a single person might have a limit around 50 percent of the area median income, while a family of four would have a higher threshold. The Authority publishes current income limits on its website or will tell you over the phone.

You must also pass a background check. The Authority looks at criminal history, eviction records, and rental payment history. A past eviction or criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but the Authority will review your case. If you have questions about your background, ask the Authority before you explore so you know what to expect.

How to contact the Clarksville Housing Authority

The Clarksville Housing Authority office is located at 504 Pageant Lane, Clarksville, TN 37040. You can reach them by phone at (931) 645-7457 during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Call to ask about waiting list status, current income limits, and what documents you need to bring.

You can also visit the office in person to pick up an process or ask questions face to face. Bring a photo ID and be ready to provide information about your household income, size, and current housing situation. If you cannot visit in person, call and ask whether you can request an process by mail.

What documents you will need

The Authority will ask for proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer. You will need to show identification and provide information about everyone in your household. If you are currently renting, bring a copy of your lease or a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy and rent amount.

You may also need to provide a Social Security number for each household member and sign a release form so the Authority can check your background and rental history. The Authority will tell you the complete list when you call or visit. Having these documents ready speeds up the process.

Waiting lists and current status

Both the public housing list and the voucher list have waiting periods. How long you wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many units or vouchers open up. Some waiting lists are closed to new names when demand is very high. The Authority may reopen the list later in the year.

Call the Authority to find out whether the list you need is open and what the current wait time is. This information changes, so do not rely on information from a website or another person — ask the Authority directly. If the list is closed, ask when it might reopen and whether you can call back to check.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I pay for rent if I get a voucher or public housing?

In public housing, you pay 30 percent of your household income as rent. With a voucher, you pay the difference between what the voucher covers and the actual rent the landlord charges. The Authority will explain your exact payment based on your income when you are accepted into the program.

Can I own a home with help from the Clarksville Housing Authority?

No. The Clarksville Housing Authority manages rental programs only. It does not help people buy homes. If you are looking for homeownership information, you may want to contact a local nonprofit or ask about down payment help programs in Tennessee, but those are separate from the Housing Authority.

What happens if I lose my job while I have a voucher?

Report the change to the Authority right away. Your rent payment will be recalculated based on your new income, which may be lower. The Authority wants to know about income changes so it can adjust your information. Do not wait — contact them as soon as your situation changes.

Is there a fee to explore or join the program?

No. The Clarksville Housing Authority does not charge fees to explore or to participate in public housing or voucher programs. If someone asks you for money to help you get into these programs, that is a scam. Contact the Authority directly.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

An eviction does not automatically disqualify you. The Authority reviews each case individually and looks at when the eviction happened and why. Call and ask to speak with someone about your specific situation. Being honest about your past is better than hiding it — the Authority will find out during the background check anyway.