What services does the Memphis Housing Authority provide?
The Memphis Housing Authority provides permanent housing for low- and moderate-income families through two main programs: the Public Housing & Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Applicants can apply for one or both of the programs, providing the waiting lists are open.
Public housing assistance is provided at eight communities owned & operated by the Memphis Housing Authority. These properties are located within the city limits of Memphis and are accessible by the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) System. Utilities are provided in Public Housing; however, any excess utility usage may be payable by residents.
Visit the HUD website for more information on the Public Housing Program.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program provides housing choice vouchers to qualified applicants which allow families to locate affordable housing (apartments or houses) anywhere in Shelby County.
View the HUD website for more information on the Section 8 Program.
Does the Memphis Housing Authority provide emergency housing?
No. The Memphis Housing Authority provides permanent housing only. MHA does not provide temporary or emergency housing of any kind.
Emergency housing is only offered through homeless shelters or the Salvation Army.
How is the Memphis Housing Authority funded?
The Memphis Housing Authority is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Where is the Memphis Housing Authority Central Office located and what services are provided by central office staff?
The MHA Central Office is located at 700 Adams Ave., Memphis, TN 38103. The Central Office staff provides administrative and financial services for the agency. Administrative services staff do not provide direct client services. Direct client services are provided by the public housing site managers and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher staff.
Where is the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher office located and what services are provided?
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher department is also located at 700 Adams Ave., Memphis, TN 38103. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher applications are available at the reception desk and also available on the community PCs located near the reception desk. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher department provides all administrative functions from this location.
Where do I go to find information about public housing and to apply for housing?
All public housing functions are handled by MHA property managers onsite. To find information on public housing or to apply for public housing rental assistance, persons must contact or visit one of the public housing properties.
What do I need to do to apply for housing?
Public housing applications are available at each site management office. A family wishing to reside in public housing must visit the property where they wish to live and obtain an application from the site manager. The application is completed and returned to the site manager. The application is date stamped at the time the application is received by the site manager. Should a family wish to apply at more than one site; the site manager will fax a copy of the original application to the other desired sites. The family will be responsible for visiting the other site(s) and meeting with the site manager. This application will be held pending a site visit by the family and will date stamped at the time the family visits this property location.
Once your name reaches the top of either waiting list you will be asked to provide additional information such as, birth certificates and social security cards for each member of the applicant household, written verification of all household income, non-certified copies of criminal reports for all family members age 18 or older from any county they have resided in or been arrested in within the past three years.
What happens once my application has been accepted?
If the waiting list is open, all Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher applications must be time and date stamped and turned in at the Central Office, 700 Adams Avenue, to be accepted by MHA. Public housing applications must be given to the site manger at the property where you wish to live.
The application will be reviewed and entered into our computer system for placement on the appropriate waiting list(s) in the order that it was received and ranked according to established preferences.
Assuming that you meet the preliminary requirements, you will be mailed a letter indicating that you have been placed on the waiting list.
This letter does not guarantee that you will be housed, but merely acknowledges that your application has been accepted and placed on the waiting list pending further verification.
Can I, as an applicant, call to inquire about my application?
No. MHA does not give out information over the telephone regarding position on the Public Housing or Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists.
What happens if any of my information changes after my application has been submitted and I am placed on the waiting list?
It is the applicant's responsibility to notify the Memphis Housing Authority of any changes in income family composition, employment status, address or phone number change, etc.
Changes for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher applicant must be reported in writing by completing an application update form available at the reception desk in the Central Office or on the website. and deposited in the drop box located in the lobby of the Central Office.
The Public Housing applicant must visit the site manager of the property where the original application was taken or on our website. The forms must be completed and delivered to the site manager.
No applicant updates will be taken over the telephone.
Failure to report any changes may cause your application to be purged from the waiting list and will require you to re-apply for Public Housing or Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher assistance. This will delay your possibility of being offered housing or assistance.