Memphis Housing & Community Resource Guide
Help with rent, utilities, repairs, tenant rights, health care, and buying a home in Memphis and Shelby County, gathered in one place so you do not have to hunt for it.
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Numbers to know
- 911Emergency Services (911)24/7
- 988988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline24/7
- 1-800-222-1222Poison Help Line24/7
- 2-1-1LINC 2-1-1 (Memphis Public Libraries & United Way)Library-based staff: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Browse by topic
- Numbers worth saving before you need them: emergencies, mental health crises, poisoning, domestic violence, and abuse reporting. Most are free, confidential, and answer around the clock.13 resources
- Short on rent or facing a utility shut-off? Several Memphis and Shelby County programs can help, but most have limited funds, monthly application windows, and document requirements. This section lists who offers what, so you can apply to the right place first.8 resources
- Knowing your rights as a renter, and where to get free legal help, can make a big difference if you are facing an eviction, a repair dispute, or discrimination. These organizations offer information, representation, or support in Memphis and Shelby County.8 resources
- Long-term affordable housing in Memphis is mostly run through the Memphis Housing Authority, while emergency housing and shelter pathways run through the local homeless response system. Waiting lists open and close, so check each program's current status before you plan around it.4 resources
- Buying a first home, or keeping the one you have, goes better with a trusted guide. This section points to housing counseling, down-payment help, and foreclosure-prevention resources for Memphis-area buyers and owners.7 resources
- Aging roofs, furnaces, and plumbing can threaten both safety and affordability. These programs help eligible homeowners and, in some cases, renters with repairs and energy-saving upgrades.6 resources
- City and county services can help with code issues, neighborhood concerns, and everyday questions about living in Memphis. This section collects official channels so you know where to report a problem or ask a question.5 resources
- Low-cost clinics, public health services, mental health care for people without insurance, and safe disposal for medication and needles. Many offer sliding fees based on income.7 resources
- The paperwork and programs that unlock everything else: health coverage, Social Security, child care help, WIC, a replacement ID, and a birth certificate. Many other services require a photo ID, so getting one early saves time.6 resources
- Stable housing is easier when basic needs are covered. These resources help with food, getting around, finding work, and other needs that affect housing stability.10 resources
Programs that are paused or closed: check back
These programs were not accepting applications when we last checked. Many reopen on a yearly or seasonal cycle, so check the official page or call before giving up on them.
| Organization | What they offer | Who qualifies & cost | How to apply | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Memphis Residential Repair and Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRRAP) official websiteClosedCity of Memphis, TN | A City pilot program that pays for structural, health, safety, and accessibility repairs that kept homes from qualifying for weatherization (for example roof damage or unsafe wiring), so the home can then receive energy-saving upgrades. It replaced the City's earlier standalone weatherization program. As of the date checked, the interest form was closed and the City was working through applications already received. | Low- to moderate-income households with homes in Memphis that were previously deferred from repair or weatherization programs; owner-occupied and some rental properties. Income limits not posted.Cost: Free to qualified households (HUD/CDBG-funded) | Interest form is closed. Check the program page or call HCD to ask when intake reopens. Be ready with 60 days of income proof, 3 utility bills, homeowners insurance, proof of property tax payment, and recent mortgage statements. | |
| Memphis RAMP (Residential Accessibility Modification Program) official websiteClosedCity of Memphis, TN | No-cost accessibility upgrades for eligible Memphis homeowners who are 62 or older or have a disability: entry ramps, bathroom grab bars, walk-in showers or tubs, raised toilets, and accessible controls. The City accepts applications only during short intake windows. The 2026 window was February 23-27, so check the City site or call to learn when the next one opens. | Primary residence in Memphis; age 62+ or a person with a disability; household income at or below 80% of area median income; current on mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities.Cost: Free to qualified homeowners (HUD/CDBG-funded) | Apply through the Memphis RAMP page at memphistn.gov during an intake window. Questions: HCD at (901) 636-6500. | |
| Shelby County Community Services Agency: Utility Assistance (LIHEAP) official websiteClosedShelby County, TN | Federally funded help with home energy bills for eligible Shelby County households, offered as regular assistance or faster-reviewed crisis assistance when you have a shut-off notice. As of our last check, the agency's own page said utility assistance "is not offered at this time" and to keep checking for updates; the program has run in yearly cycles that depend on federal funding. Applications are online only and you must be the primary MLGW account holder, so check the page before you plan around it. | Shelby County resident; U.S. citizen or eligible immigration status; primary MLGW account holder; valid email address; income at or below 60% of state median (FY26 example: $32,053/yr for one person). Crisis assistance also requires an active shut-off notice and a household member who is 60+, 5 or under, disabled, military/veteran, or facing an uncontrollable hardship.Cost: Free | Check shelbycountycsa.org/utility-assistance for when the next program year opens. When open, apply online through the portal linked there. Seniors 60+ needing application help can call (901) 222-4200. |
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