How many housing & financial resources are in Tennessee?

Women's Corner tracks 16 housing & financial resources for women in Tennessee.

Are housing & financial resources in Tennessee free?

16 of the 16 listed housing & financial resources in Tennessee are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Tennessee have housing & financial resources?

Listings span cities including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga.

What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Tennessee?

Featured entries include Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency - Nashville, Memphis Housing Authority, Knoxville Community Development Corporation, Chattanooga Housing Authority.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

8 of 16 Tennessee housing & financial listings include phone numbers.

How long is the Section 8 waitlist?

It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.

211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.

Can I get TANF as a single mother?

Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.

What if I'm being evicted?

Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.

Best Housing & Financial in Tennessee — 16 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in Tennessee

Tennessee circuit and chancery courts hear family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts, with some counties operating juvenile courts for unmarried-parent custody. Tennessee Child Support Services operates under DHS. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, Memphis Area Legal Services, and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence serve women.

16 Resources

1. Tennessee Housing Development Agency — Free

Homeownership programs, rental assistance, and housing counseling for women statewide. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

615-815-2200 · 502 Deaderick St Suite 1300, Nashville, TN 37243 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency - Nashville — Free

Public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and affordable housing for Nashville women. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm.

615-252-8400 · 712 S 6th St, Nashville, TN 37206 · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Memphis Housing Authority — Free

Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher program for low-income Memphis women. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

901-544-1100 · 700 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38105 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. Knoxville Community Development Corporation — Free

Affordable housing and community development for women and families in Knoxville. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

865-403-1100 · 901 N Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Chattanooga Housing Authority — Free

Affordable housing programs and rental assistance for women and families in financial need in Chattanooga. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

423-752-4800 · 801 N Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville — Free

Affordable homeownership opportunities for qualifying women and families in Nashville. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

615-254-6209 · 414 Harding Pl Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37211 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. United Way of Greater Nashville - 211 — Free

Financial assistance referrals including rent, utilities, and emergency aid for women and families in financial need in Nashville. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Available 24/7.

615-780-2211 · 250 Venture Cir, Nashville, TN 37228 · 24/7 via 211

8. HomeSource East Tennessee — Free

Housing counseling, financial coaching, and down payment assistance for women and families in financial need in Knoxville. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

865-637-1679 · 1522 Highland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

9. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

Federal housing assistance hub. Section 8, public housing, homeless services, and HUD office locator for every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at hud.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

Federal homeless assistance programs and Continuum of Care contacts in every community for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at hud.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — help with heating, cooling, and weatherization in every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at acf.hhs.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Emergency shelter, rent assistance, food, utilities, and transitional housing in nearly every US community for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at salvationarmyusa.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Emergency assistance, housing, food, and family support — local agency in nearly every diocese nationwide for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at catholiccharitiesusa.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. United Way Worldwide — Free

Local United Ways provide housing assistance, food, financial coaching and 211 referrals for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at unitedway.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Affordable homeownership opportunities for working families in every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at habitat.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Family Promise — Free

National network helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence through community-based programs for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at familypromise.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Tennessee?: Women's Corner tracks 16 housing & financial resources for women in Tennessee.
Are housing & financial resources in Tennessee free?: 16 of the 16 listed housing & financial resources in Tennessee are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Tennessee have housing & financial resources?: Listings span cities including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Tennessee?: Featured entries include Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency - Nashville, Memphis Housing Authority, Knoxville Community Development Corporation, Chattanooga Housing Authority.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 8 of 16 Tennessee housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?: It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?: Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?: Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.