LEARN HOW TO APPLY FOR
Section 8 Homes In Memphis TN Guide - Read the Guide
WITH OUR GUIDE
Please Read:
Data We Will Collect:
Contact information and answers to our optional survey.
Use, Disclosure, Sale:
If you complete the optional survey, we will send your answers to our marketing partners.
What You Will Get:
Free guide, and if you answer the optional survey, marketing offers from us and our partners.
Who We Will Share Your Data With:
Note: You may be contacted about Medicare plan options, including by one of our licensed partners. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
WHAT DO WE
OFFER?
Our guide costs you nothing.
IT'S COMPLETELY FREE!
Simplifying The Process
Navigating programs or procedures can be challenging. Our free guide breaks down the process, making it easier to know how to access what you need.
Independent And Private
As an independent company, we make it easier to understand complex programs and processes with clear, concise information.
Trusted Information Sources
We take time to research information and use official program resources to answer your most pressing questions.

How to Find and Use Section 8 Homes in Memphis, TN

Finding a Section 8 home in Memphis usually means working with the local housing authority, getting on a waitlist, and then using a voucher or public housing offer to lease a qualifying unit. You cannot apply directly for “a Section 8 house” from a landlord; you must first be accepted into a program run by the Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) or another nearby housing agency.

Quick summary: Section 8 homes in Memphis

  • Section 8 in Memphis is mainly handled by the Memphis Housing Authority (MHA), a public housing authority.
  • There are two main ways to get a “Section 8 home”: Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and project-based/public housing units.
  • You usually must apply when the waiting list is open, then wait for a selection notice.
  • You’ll typically need ID, Social Security numbers, and proof of income and residency.
  • Today’s action: Check whether the MHA Housing Choice Voucher or public housing waitlists are open, and if they are, start an application through the official MHA portal or office.

How Section 8 homes work in Memphis

Section 8 in Memphis is primarily run by the Memphis Housing Authority, which is a public housing authority (PHA) that receives funding and rules guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). MHA typically operates:

  • Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 vouchers) – You receive a voucher and rent a unit from a private landlord in Memphis or Shelby County, as long as the unit passes inspection and the rent is within program limits.
  • Project-based Section 8 and public housing – These are apartments or homes where the subsidy is tied to the property itself; if you move out, the subsidy usually stays with the unit.

To get into a Section 8 home, you normally have to join a waitlist, keep your contact information updated, and then complete a full eligibility screening when your name reaches the top.

Key terms to know:

  • Public Housing Authority (PHA) — Local agency (like Memphis Housing Authority) that runs Section 8 and public housing programs.
  • Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) — A subsidy that helps pay part of your rent to a private landlord; you pay the rest.
  • Payment Standard — The maximum amount the voucher will generally cover for a given unit size in the Memphis market.
  • Inspection — Health and safety check the unit must pass before MHA will approve the lease.

Where to go in Memphis: official Section 8 touchpoints

In Memphis, two key official system touchpoints typically handle Section 8–related housing:

  • Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) central office or management office – Handles applications, waitlists, eligibility reviews, and voucher issuance for Memphis public housing and vouchers.
  • Official MHA / housing authority online portal – Where you often pre-apply, upload documents, update your address, and check waitlist status when available. Search for the Memphis Housing Authority official site and look for addresses and links ending in .gov or clearly marked as the local government agency to avoid scams.

In some cases, HUD’s local field office for Tennessee may also provide general information and complaint help, but they do not usually take Section 8 applications directly. Instead, they can point you back to MHA or another nearby PHA if Memphis’ list is closed.

Concrete action you can take today:
Search for the official “Memphis Housing Authority Section 8 or Housing Choice Voucher” page and verify whether the voucher or public housing waitlist is open. If it is, follow the application instructions or call the listed MHA number and ask, “How do I apply for Section 8 or public housing right now?”

A simple phone script you might use:
“Hello, I live in Memphis and I’m trying to apply for Section 8 or public housing. Is your waitlist open, and what is the next step I should take to get on the list?”

What you need to prepare for a Memphis Section 8 home

MHA and other PHAs in Tennessee commonly require proof of identity, household size, income, and local residency. Having these ready can speed up your application and later approval for a specific unit.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Government-issued photo ID (for adults), such as a Tennessee driver’s license, state ID card, or other official photo ID.
  • Social Security cards or official proof of Social Security numbers for all household members, if they have them.
  • Proof of all household income, such as recent pay stubs, Social Security benefit letters, unemployment benefit statements, child support printouts, or a letter from an employer verifying income.

You may also commonly be asked for:

  • Birth certificates for children to confirm household composition.
  • Proof of Memphis/Shelby County residency, such as a current lease, utility bill, or official mail with your address.
  • Recent bank statements or benefit account statements, especially if income is irregular or from multiple sources.

If you don’t have one of these, ask the MHA staff what alternatives are accepted, such as a letter from a shelter, a sworn statement, or replacement document steps. Rules and acceptable documents can vary based on your situation and changes in program rules.

Step-by-step: from application to getting into a Section 8 home in Memphis

1. Confirm the correct agency and waitlist status

Verify that Memphis Housing Authority is the PHA for the neighborhood you want, and check which programs have open waitlists (Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based units, or public housing).

  • Action:Search for the Memphis Housing Authority official site or call their listed main number.
  • Ask specifically: “Is the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist open? Are there any project-based Section 8 properties or public housing lists accepting applications right now?”

What to expect next: If the list is open, staff or the website will direct you to an online application or an in-person/phone process; if the list is closed, they may suggest checking back later or give information about other housing resources or PHAs.

2. Start the pre-application or application

When a waitlist is open, MHA usually asks for a pre-application first, which collects basic information: names, addresses, income, family size, and contact details.

  • Action:Complete the pre-application through the official MHA portal or at the MHA office, following their instructions for signatures and document uploads or drop-off.

What to expect next: You’ll typically receive a confirmation number or written notice that your pre-application was received and that you’ve been placed on a waitlist. This does not mean you’re approved, just that you’re in line to be screened later.

3. Keep your contact information updated

Waitlists in Memphis can be long, and MHA usually contacts you by mail, email, or sometimes text when your name comes up.

  • Action: If you move, change your phone, or switch email, update your information with MHA immediately using their portal, in person, or by written form, as they instruct.

What to expect next: If your information is current when your name reaches the top, MHA will typically send a packet or appointment notice asking for full documentation, verification, and possibly an in-person or phone interview.

4. Complete full eligibility screening

When your name nears the top of the list, MHA generally checks:

  • Income eligibility compared to HUD limits for the Memphis area.

  • Criminal background and prior housing issues, such as unpaid balances to other housing authorities.

  • Household composition and citizenship/eligible immigration status, per federal and local rules.

  • Action:Gather and submit all requested documents by the stated deadline, and attend any scheduled interview or briefing.

What to expect next: If you are found eligible, you’ll either receive a voucher briefing appointment (for HCV) or an offer of a specific unit (for project-based or public housing). If you’re denied, MHA normally sends a written denial letter that explains why and how to request an informal review, if available.

5. For vouchers: search for a Memphis landlord and get a unit approved

If you receive a Housing Choice Voucher, you’ll be given:

  • A voucher document listing your bedroom size and expiration date.

  • Payment standards and instructions about allowed rent levels in Memphis.

  • A Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) form for your future landlord to complete.

  • Action:Start contacting landlords in Memphis who accept Section 8 vouchers, show them your voucher, and ask if they are willing to complete the RFTA and undergo MHA inspections.

What to expect next: Once you find a willing landlord, they submit the RFTA to MHA; MHA then schedules an inspection of the unit. If the unit passes and the rent is approved, MHA will clear you and the landlord to sign the lease, and then MHA signs a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract with the landlord. You then move in and pay your portion of the rent directly to the landlord, while MHA pays the rest.

6. For project-based / public housing: accept or decline a unit offer

If you’re offered a MHA-operated or project-based Section 8 unit, the process is a bit different:

  • You’re given details of a specific apartment or home, including address, size, and tenant portion of rent.

  • There is usually a time limit to accept or decline the offer.

  • Action:View the unit if allowed, decide by the stated deadline, and sign the lease and any required program forms if you accept.

What to expect next: After lease signing, you move in according to the move-in date set by MHA and the property manager. Your rent is usually income-based, recalculated once a year (or sooner if your income changes and you report it).

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for
A common snag in Memphis is that by the time someone on the waitlist is selected, their mailing address, phone number, or email has changed, and they never see the appointment or documentation request. MHA typically gives a short response window; if you don’t respond, your name can be skipped or removed from the list, so make it a habit to update your contact information with MHA every time you move or change phone numbers and check your mail regularly.

Safe help and additional support in Memphis

Because Section 8 involves money and housing, scams are common, such as websites or people claiming they can “move you up the list” or “secure a voucher” for a fee. PHAs like MHA do not charge application or waitlist fees, and no one can legally sell you a spot on a Section 8 list.

For legitimate help:

  • Official housing authority staff – Call or visit the Memphis Housing Authority office listed on their official site to ask questions about your application, documents, or status.
  • HUD-approved housing counseling agencies – Search for “HUD-approved housing counselors in Memphis or Shelby County”; they often provide free or low-cost help understanding rental assistance options and avoiding eviction.
  • Local legal aid office – If you face denial, termination, or landlord issues involving vouchers or public housing, you can contact a legal aid or legal services nonprofit in Memphis for advice or representation.

Policies, eligibility rules, and waitlist practices can change over time and may vary based on your household, income, and other factors, so always confirm current requirements directly with Memphis Housing Authority or another official housing agency before making decisions. Once you’ve verified the correct PHA and checked the waitlist status, your next concrete step is to complete any available application and start gathering your identification and income documents right away.