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Housing Resources
GNRC provides resources and information on programs benefiting low-income families, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities with funds from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA).
THDA HOUSING RESOURCES
As the state’s housing finance agency, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency is a self-sufficient, independently funded, publicly accountable entity of the State of Tennessee. THDA’s mission is to meaningfully expand safe, sound, affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income Tennesseans as the state’s leading resource. Established by the General Assembly in 1973, THDA has evolved and grown to serve Tennesseans in many ways: providing grants to preserve and create homes, offering rental assistance on several different levels, assisting in the creation and maintenance of rental housing, providing educational opportunities, and helping other State agencies with housing missions to solve problems and save taxpayers’ money. For more information, click here to visit the THDA website.
THDA Programs for Homebuyers
- Great Choice Home Loans
Great Choice is a 30-year, fixed interest rate home loan available through private banks and lenders. These loans focus on first-time homebuyers, U.S. military veterans, and homebuyers in targeted areas. Down payment assistance may also be available. Visit THDA.org/homebuyers for more information.
- Tennessee’s Free Housing Locator
This is a THDA-sponsored, free online resource for locating and advertising available rental properties and other resources for renters. Visit TNHousingSearch.org for more information.
- THDA Research and Planning
For statewide and county-based information about housing and housing affordability, check out THDA’s Research and Planning publications to gain insight into the state’s housing market and THDA’s impact on affordable housing. For more information, visit THDA.org/research-reports
- Homebuyer Education
THDA provides nonprofit organizations with tools to teach homebuyer education classes. THDA maintains on its website a list of certified homebuyer education trainers who can help consumers as they consider purchasing a home. For more information, visit THDA.org/homebuyers/homebuyer-education - Homeownership for the Brave
The Homeownership for the Brave program offers a 1/2-percent reduction on THDA’s Great Choice first mortgage loan for active and retired members of the military. For more information, visit THDA.org/homebuyers/active-duty-military-and-veterans
THDA programs for Homeowners
Renter Assistance and Section 8 Programs
- Family Self-Sufficiency
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program works with families to create a step-by-step plan that leads to economic independence. The purpose of FSS is to facilitate access to the supportive services families need to become free of public assistance in a five-year time period. All participating Section 8 families are eligible to participate. - Tenant Based Housing Choice Voucher
Funded by HUD, THDA is one of 28 public housing agencies (PHA) in Tennessee that administer the program. The purpose of the program is to enable eligible low-income households to obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing by the PHA paying a portion of rental costs (including utilities) directly to a landlord in the private rental market. - Weatherization Assistance
The Weatherization Assistance Program is a federal program designed to assist households below 200% of the federal poverty standards improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The funds are awarded to a network of community service agencies throughout the state. - Community Investment Tax Credit
Financial institutions may obtain a credit against the sum total of taxes imposed by the Franchise and Excise Tax Laws when qualified loans, qualified investments, grants or contributions are extended to eligible housing entities for engaging in eligible low-income housing activities. - Low Income Housing Tax Credits
A Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is a credit against federal income tax liability each year for 10 years for owners of and investors in affordable rental housing. - Multifamily Tax-Exempt Bond Authority
The Bond Authority program, like the LIHTC program, supports rehabilitation, acquisition and rehabilitation, and new construction of rental units. Municipalities request an allocation of the state’s bond authority and sell bonds in support of housing development. - Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (Contract Administration)
The Section 8 Contract Administration and Compliance Division manages the Housing Assistance Payment contracts between HUD and Section 8 property owners across Tennessee. THDA processes monthly payments to owners, oversees annual contract renewals and rent adjustments with property agents, reviews and approves special claims, contract opt-outs and terminations, handles issue calls from residents, and conducts Management and Occupancy Reviews. - TNHousingSearch.org
FAIR HOUSING
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status (includes individuals or families with children under 18 years of age and pregnant women). The Fair Housing Act applies to almost all housing in the country. Any individual experiencing housing discrimination may file a complaint with any HUD office, in person, by mail, or by telephone, not later than one year after the alleged discriminatory act has occurred or terminated. An aggrieved person may also file suit in a federal court whether or not a complaint has been filed with HUD.
HUD has established a national toll-free housing discrimination hotline at: (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). For more information, go to: https://www.hud.gov/hudprograms/fheo.