What the Maryville Housing Authority Does

The Maryville Housing Authority is a local government agency that runs public housing and rental voucher programs in Maryville, Tennessee. It does not provide cash information or emergency grants — it manages housing units and vouchers that reduce what you pay in rent. The Authority owns and maintains public housing apartments, and it administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which lets you rent from a private landlord while the Authority pays part of your rent directly to that landlord.

The Authority's main job is to keep a waiting list, determine who can move into public housing or receive a voucher, and manage the lease between you and either the Authority (if you live in public housing) or your private landlord (if you have a voucher). It also conducts annual inspections of rental units to make sure they meet housing standards, and it recertifies your income each year to adjust what you pay.

Key Takeaways

  • The Maryville Housing Authority runs public housing apartments and Section 8 vouchers — two separate programs with different waiting lists and different rules about what you pay.
  • Both programs require you to be on a waiting list, which may be closed or have a years-long wait depending on current demand.
  • Your rent is based on your household income; the Authority or your voucher covers the rest up to a limit set by the program.
  • You must report changes in income, household size, or employment within 30 days, or your rent calculation and voucher status may be affected.
  • The Authority's office in Maryville handles all applications, recertifications, and lease questions — there is no online portal for most transactions.

Public Housing vs. Section 8 Vouchers: Which Program Is Which

Public housing means you rent an apartment owned and managed directly by the Maryville Housing Authority. You sign a lease with the Authority, pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of your gross monthly income), and the Authority maintains the building. Public housing units are scattered throughout Maryville — some are in older complexes, others are newer or recently renovated. The Authority sets the rules: you cannot sublet, you must keep the unit in good condition, and you must report any household changes.

A Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is different. You find your own rental unit from a private landlord, and the voucher pays the difference between what you can afford (30 percent of your income) and the actual rent, up to a limit called the payment standard. The payment standard varies by bedroom size and is set by the Authority based on fair market rents in the area. You sign a lease with the landlord, not the Authority, but the Authority must approve the unit and the lease before you move in. The landlord receives the voucher payment directly from the Authority each month.

Both programs have separate waiting lists. The public housing list and the Section 8 list do not combine — you can be on both, but you explore to each one separately. Waiting times vary; the Section 8 list is often longer and may be closed to new applications.

Income Limits and What You Will Pay

The Maryville Housing Authority uses area median income (AMI) to set income limits. Very low-income households — those earning 50 percent of AMI or less — have priority for both public housing and vouchers. Low-income households earning up to 80 percent of AMI may also be served, depending on the program and current demand. The exact income limits change each year and depend on your household size. For example, a household of four might have a limit around $45,000 to $72,000 gross annual income, but you must confirm the current year's limits with the Authority.

Once you are in the program, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your adjusted gross income. Adjusted income subtracts certain deductions — such as $480 per dependent child, medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members, and childcare costs — before the 30 percent is applied. The Authority recalculates your income and rent each year during your annual recertification. If your income rises, your rent rises. If it falls, your rent falls. You must report any change in income, employment, or household size within 30 days, or the Authority may adjust your rent retroactively.

How to Get on the Waiting List

You explore in person at the Maryville Housing Authority office, located at 1410 Montvale Road, Maryville, TN 37803. Call (865) 984-6666 to confirm office hours and whether the waiting list is currently open. Many housing authorities close their lists when demand is very high, so the first step is always to call and ask whether you can explore right now.

When you explore, bring proof of identity (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer or benefits program), and proof of residency in Maryville or Knox County (utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency). If you are explore for public housing and Section 8, you will fill out separate applications. The Authority will verify your income and background, which typically takes two to four weeks. You will then be placed on the waiting list in order of process date, though the Authority may give priority to people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, or other categories set by local policy.

Waiting times depend on the program and current demand. Public housing may have a wait of several months to a few years. Section 8 waiting lists are often longer — sometimes three to five years or more — and may be closed entirely. Call the Authority to ask about current wait times before you explore.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once you reach the top of the waiting list and are called, you will be offered a unit (for public housing) or a voucher (for Section 8). For public housing, the Authority will show you available units and you choose one that fits your household size. For Section 8, you receive a voucher and have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental unit that meets program standards and is within the payment standard for your area.

Before you move in, the Authority must inspect the unit to may support it meets housing quality standards. The inspection checks for things like working plumbing, heat, electricity, safe stairs, and no lead paint hazards. If the unit fails, the landlord must fix the problems before you can move in. Once the unit passes, you sign a lease and move in. Your rent is due on the date set in your lease, and you pay your portion directly to the landlord (or the Authority if it is public housing). The Authority pays its portion to the landlord each month.

Annual Recertification and Reporting Changes

Every year, the Authority will ask you to come in and recertify your income and household information. You will bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of current income. The Authority uses this information to recalculate your rent for the coming year. If your income has changed, your rent will change. If a household member has moved out or a new person has moved in, you must report it so the Authority can adjust your lease and rent.

You must also report changes within 30 days of when they happen — do not wait for recertification. Changes include a new job, a job loss, a change in hours or pay, a household member leaving or joining, a change in childcare costs, or a new medical expense for an elderly or disabled member. Failure to report changes can result in an incorrect rent calculation, and the Authority may ask you to repay the difference. In serious cases, the Authority can terminate your lease.

Contact Information and Next Steps

The Maryville Housing Authority office is at 1410 Montvale Road, Maryville, TN 37803. Phone: (865) 984-6666. Most business is handled in person or by phone — there is no online portal for applications or recertifications. Call first to confirm office hours, ask whether the waiting list is open, and find out current wait times. If you are already in the program and need to report a change or schedule your annual recertification, call the same number.

If you are not yet ready to explore or want to understand your options better, you can also contact the Knox County Community Action Committee or a local housing counselor, who can explain the differences between public housing and Section 8, help you gather documents, and answer questions about the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists and separate process processes. You can explore to both and be on both lists. However, once you are offered housing or a voucher through one program, you must decide whether to accept it. If you accept, you are typically removed from the other waiting list, though policies vary — ask the Authority to clarify.

What if my income goes up after I move in?

Your rent will increase at your next annual recertification. The Authority recalculates your rent as 30 percent of your new adjusted income. If your income rises significantly, you may eventually earn too much to stay in the program, but this usually takes a substantial increase. The Authority will tell you at recertification if your income has exceeded the program limit.

Can I move to a different unit if I do not like my apartment?

For public housing, you can request a transfer to a different Authority unit, but transfers are not may provide and depend on availability. For Section 8, you can move to a different rental unit at the end of your lease, but you must find a new unit that meets program standards and is within the payment standard. In both cases, contact the Authority to discuss your options.

What happens if I lose my job?

Report the job loss to the Authority within 30 days. Your adjusted income will drop, and your rent will be recalculated downward at your next recertification. You can also request an interim recertification before your annual review if the change is significant. Do not wait — reporting quickly protects you from being charged too much rent.

Is there a fee to explore or to be on the waiting list?

No. There is no process fee, no waiting list fee, and no fee to receive a voucher. The Maryville Housing Authority does not charge for these services. Be cautious of anyone claiming to charge a fee to help you get housing — that is a scam.