Where to start: finding your local housing authority

Section 8 in Tennessee is run by individual housing authorities in each county or city, not by a single state office. You must contact the authority that serves your area — the one in Nashville will not process an process for Memphis, and vice versa. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) maintains a directory of all local authorities on its website, organized by county.

To find your authority, go to the THDA website, search for your county, and note the authority's name, phone number, and office address. Some authorities accept applications only in person during specific hours; others accept mail or online submissions. Call before you visit to confirm current hours and whether they are accepting new applications, because many authorities close their waiting lists when demand is high.

If you are unsure which county you live in or which authority serves your address, call 211 Tennessee (dial 211 from any phone) and give them your street address. They can tell you the correct authority and often have current information about whether that authority is accepting applications.

Key Takeaways

  • You must contact the housing authority in your specific county or city, not a state office, and many authorities close their waiting lists when they are full.
  • Before explore, call your local authority to confirm they are accepting applications and what documents you need to bring or submit.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or immigration status, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID.
  • The process process takes place at your local authority's office or by mail, and you will be placed on a waiting list that may take months or years to reach.
  • Once you are offered a voucher, you have a limited time to find a landlord who accepts Section 8, and the authority will inspect the unit before you can move in.

Documents and information you need before you explore

Gather these items before you contact your local authority or visit their office. Having them ready speeds up the process and reduces the chance you will be asked to return with missing paperwork.

You will need a photo ID for the head of household (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). Bring Social Security cards or numbers for every person living in your household, including children. You will also need proof of income for the past 30 days — this can be recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, bank statements showing regular deposits, or proof of benefits (unemployment, TANF, SSI, or Social Security). If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the past two years.

Proof of citizenship or immigration status is required. U.S. citizens can show a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. Non-citizens must show a green card, work permit, or other immigration document. If you do not have these documents, ask your authority what alternatives they accept — some will work with you to obtain them.

Bring proof of residency in Tennessee, such as a lease, utility bill, or mail from a government agency dated within the past 60 days. If you are currently homeless, bring documentation from a shelter or social service agency showing you are receiving services.

The process itself: what to expect

The process form asks for household composition (names, ages, and relationships of all members), income sources and amounts, citizenship status, and rental history. You will be asked whether you have ever been evicted, whether you have a criminal record, and whether you owe money to a previous housing authority. Answer honestly — the authority will verify your answers through background checks and court records.

Some authorities conduct the interview in person at their office; others mail the form to you or allow you to complete it online. If you interview in person, bring all documents listed above. If you explore by mail, make copies of everything and keep the originals. Send documents by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof the authority received them.

The authority will ask you to sign a form stating that the information you provided is true and complete. They will also explain the program rules, including that you must pay 30 percent of your household income toward rent and that the Section 8 voucher covers the difference between that amount and the actual rent (up to the authority's payment standard for your area).

Waiting lists and how long the process takes

After you submit your process, you are placed on a waiting list. The time from process to receiving a voucher varies widely depending on your local authority. Some authorities have waiting lists that are several years long; others may reach you within months. A few authorities have closed their waiting lists entirely because demand is so high.

Call your authority periodically to confirm your process is still active and to ask for an estimate of how long the wait is. Some authorities send letters updating applicants on their position in the queue; others do not. If you move, change your phone number, or change your household composition (birth, death, marriage, or someone moving in or out), notify your authority when ready, because they may remove your process if they cannot reach you.

While you are waiting, your income and household situation may change. The authority will ask you to report significant changes — a new job, a household member leaving, or a new baby — because these affect your priority or your rent calculation once you receive a voucher.

What happens when you are offered a voucher

When your name reaches the top of the waiting list, the authority will contact you by phone or mail and ask you to come to their office to pick up your voucher packet. This packet includes your voucher (a document showing you are authorized to search for housing), the payment standard for your area (the maximum rent the authority will cover), and a list of rules you must follow.

You will have a limited time — usually 60 to 90 days, depending on your authority — to find a rental unit and a landlord willing to accept Section 8. Not all landlords participate in the program, so you may need to contact many before finding one who will work with you. Once you find a unit, the landlord must sign a lease addendum agreeing to the Section 8 terms.

Before you can move in, the authority will inspect the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards (safe plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and no lead paint hazards). If the unit fails inspection, the landlord must make repairs before you move in. Once the unit passes, the authority signs the lease and begins paying the landlord their portion of the rent.

What disqualifies you or affects your priority

The authority will deny your process or remove you from the waiting list if you have certain criminal convictions, if you were evicted from a previous Section 8 unit for lease violations, or if you owe money to a housing authority. Convictions for drug manufacturing or violent felonies are automatic disqualifications in most cases. Other criminal history is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If you have an eviction on your record from a non-Section 8 rental, you are not automatically disqualified, but it may lower your priority. Some authorities give preference to people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or families with children. Ask your local authority whether they use preferences and whether your household qualifies for any of them.

If your income is above the limit set by your authority (usually 50 percent of the area median income), you will not be accepted. Income limits vary by county and by household size. Call your authority to ask what the current limit is for your household size.

After you move in: ongoing requirements

Once you are living in a Section 8 unit, you must follow the lease and program rules. You must pay your 30 percent share of rent on time each month. The authority will conduct annual inspections of the unit to make sure it still meets housing quality standards. You must report any changes in household composition or income to your authority within 30 days.

If you move to a different unit, you must notify your authority and get approval before you leave. If you want to move to a different county in Tennessee or to another state, ask your authority about portability — some authorities allow you to transfer your voucher; others do not. If your authority does not allow portability, you will need to explore to the housing authority in your new location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for Section 8 if I am currently homeless?

Yes. You will need documentation from a shelter, transitional housing program, or social service agency showing you are receiving services. Some authorities give preference to people experiencing homelessness, which can move you up the waiting list faster. Call your local authority to ask whether they have a preference for homeless applicants and what documentation they need.

What if my local authority's waiting list is closed?

You cannot explore until the list reopens. Call the authority every few months to ask when they expect to reopen applications. Some authorities reopen their lists annually; others may not reopen for years. In the meantime, you can explore other housing programs through your local housing authority or by calling 211 Tennessee.

Do I have to pay an process fee?

No. Section 8 applications are free. If someone asks you to pay money to explore for Section 8, that is a scam. Report it to your local housing authority or to the Tennessee Attorney General's office.

How long do I have to find a place once I get my voucher?

Most Tennessee authorities give you 60 to 90 days to find a unit and have it inspected. If you cannot find a place in that time, contact your authority to ask for an extension. Extensions are not may provide, but many authorities will grant one if you can show you have been actively searching.

What if a landlord refuses to accept my Section 8 voucher?

Landlords cannot legally refuse to rent to you because you have a Section 8 voucher. If a landlord discriminates against you, report it to your local housing authority or to the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. Keep records of which landlords you contacted and what they said.