Housing assistance in Tennessee for immigrants
Tennessee at a glance
Tennessee is home to about 431,545 foreign-born residents (6.1% of the state’s 7,066,383 people) and 523,528 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (7.4%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Tennessee regardless of immigration status unless noted.
What rent actually costs in Tennessee — HUD’s official numbers
HUD's Fair Market Rents set the ceiling a Section 8 voucher covers and serve as the official rent benchmark. In Tennessee (FY 2026), the benchmark rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $933/month (median), ranging from $925 (Benton County, TN) to $1,730 (Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN HUD Metro FMR Area) across the state's 72 rent areas.
| Area (largest by population) | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,507 | $1,578 | $1,730 | $2,211 | $2,696 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,060 | $1,154 | $1,274 | $1,683 | $1,959 |
| Knoxville, TN HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,177 | $1,184 | $1,471 | $1,864 | $2,172 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA MSA | $1,211 | $1,263 | $1,390 | $1,734 | $1,853 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,090 | $1,094 | $1,346 | $1,871 | $2,258 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA MSA | $720 | $818 | $1,044 | $1,338 | $1,464 |
| Johnson City, TN MSA | $887 | $893 | $1,132 | $1,398 | $1,548 |
| Cleveland, TN MSA | $850 | $940 | $1,233 | $1,584 | $1,633 |
Source: HUD FY 2026 Fair Market Rents (effective 2025-10-01; 40th-percentile gross rents — Section 8 payment standards are set at 90-110% of FMR). Look up your county at huduser.gov.
Federal programs in Tennessee
Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) and Public Housing share the same federal rules: low income (typically under 30-50% of Area Median Income) and at least one household member with citizenship or an eligible immigration status — mixed-status families get a prorated voucher rather than nothing. Undocumented members, DACA recipients, and F-1 students don’t count as eligible members. Full eligibility lists and documents: federal housing rules.
To apply in Tennessee: find your local Public Housing Agency at hud.gov/findpha and get on the waiting list — months to years in tight markets.
Emergency shelters
Available WITHOUT immigration status verification:
- Homeless shelters
- Domestic violence shelters (DV shelters have enhanced privacy)
- Catholic Charities
- Salvation Army
- YWCA / YMCA
- Local churches
National homelessness line: 211 (in many states, connects to local resources)
Do I need ITIN or SSN to rent in Tennessee?
Not necessarily. Many landlords (especially small individuals) do NOT require SSN to rent. May require: income proof, employer letter, prior landlord references, larger security deposit.
Professionally-managed apartments (large complexes) are stricter about SSN.
Related information
Last verified: 2026-06-15.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
Related procedural information
- Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
- Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
- ITIN for tax-funded benefits — eligibility requires SSN or ITIN
- Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
- Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits
The Section 8 math in one line
A voucher household pays about 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to the local payment standard (90-110% of the FMRs shown above). Housing discrimination is reportable regardless of immigration status: HUD hotline 1-800-669-9777 (hud.gov fair housing).