Homebuying & Housing Counseling
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.
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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.
| Organization | What they offer | Who qualifies & cost | How to apply | Contact |
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| Binghampton Development Corporation official websiteBinghampton, Memphis, TN | A Binghampton community development corporation that renovates and builds homes and develops rental housing, with a stated focus on affordable homeownership. Its website does not list homebuyer classes or counseling, so call to ask what homes or services are available now, or use one of the counseling providers elsewhere in this guide. | Check with providerCost: Check with provider | Call or email to ask about available homes and current housing services. |
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| City of Memphis Housing and Community Development - Down Payment Assistance official websiteCity of Memphis, TN | City down payment assistance programs: Citywide DPA and Memphis Housing Authority DPA, plus incentives for buyers in 15 designated neighborhoods, Memphis police officers, firefighters, and Memphis-Shelby County Schools staff. The home must be inside Memphis city limits or a designated area. Award amounts change with funding, so confirm before planning around a number. | Citywide and MHA DPA: income at or below 80% of area median income. Neighborhood incentive: up to 200% AMI, 15 designated neighborhoods. Police/fire need 1+ year of service; schools staff need 2+ years full time.Cost: Check with provider | Call the Office of Down Payment Assistance at (901) 636-7474 (the direct line listed on the City's About HCD page). The City's DPA page lists (901) 636-7300 as the housing office's general line. Program info is also at hcdaffordablehousing.com. |
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| Frayser Community Development Corporation official websiteFrayser (ZIP 38127), Memphis, TN | A neighborhood nonprofit focused on affordable housing in the 38127 (Frayser) area. Services include homebuyer education and first-time homebuyer programs, housing counseling, and financial literacy training. Best fit for people buying or living in Frayser. | Check with providerCost: Check with provider | Call or email to ask about the next homebuyer class or counseling appointment. |
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| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis - First-Time Homebuying Program official websiteMemphis / Shelby County, TN | Habitat helps qualifying first-time buyers purchase a home with a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage. Buyers complete education classes, volunteer hours, financial coaching, build an emergency fund, and contribute at least $2,000 toward closing costs before closing. The first step is attending an in-person information session; not every applicant qualifies. | First-time homebuyers who meet Habitat's qualification benchmarks; specific income and credit limits are not posted.Cost: Zero-interest 30-year mortgage; at least $2,000 toward closing costs | Attend an information session (upcoming dates posted on the site), then submit an application. Contact [email protected] or (901) 322-3519. |
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| Shelby County Trustee - Property Tax Relief Program official websiteShelby County, TN | A state-funded rebate that helps homeowners who are 65 or older, disabled, or disabled veterans (and certain surviving spouses) with property taxes on their primary home. The income limit for elderly and disabled applicants is $38,470; disabled veterans have no income limit. 2026 maximum credits listed are $227 (elderly/disabled) and $1,182.30 (disabled veterans) for Shelby County property. | Age 65+, disabled, or disabled veteran/survivor; income limit $38,470 for elderly and disabled; primary residence only.Cost: Free; the rebate does not need repayment unless ineligibility is later found | Call Trustee Customer Service for an application. County applications must be postmarked by April 5, 2027; the City of Memphis has a separate deadline of October 6, 2026. Mail to P.O. Box 2751, Memphis, TN 38101. |
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| Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) - Great Choice Plus Down Payment Assistance official websiteTennessee, including Shelby County | A state program that adds a second mortgage for down payment and closing costs on top of a THDA Great Choice home loan. Options include a deferred loan (about $6,000-$10,000, forgiven after 10 years), a standard amortizing loan up to 5% of the price (max $15,000), and up to $25,000 for new construction. You apply through a THDA-participating lender, so start by finding a lender on THDA's site. | Must qualify for a THDA Great Choice home loan; income, price, and education rules apply and are set by THDA and the lender.Cost: Second mortgage (deferred or amortizing); terms vary by option | Apply through a THDA-approved lender (use THDA's Find a Lender page). THDA's statewide line can answer questions. |
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| United Housing, Inc. - Homebuyer Education and Housing Counseling official websiteMemphis / Shelby County, TN | A Memphis nonprofit that teaches an 8-hour homebuyer education course (credit, qualifying for a mortgage, working with agents, home maintenance) and awards a completion certificate. It also offers HUD-certified pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention, rental counseling, and financial coaching. Classes are offered in English and Spanish, and an online course through eHome America is available for a fee. | Check with providerCost: In-person classes: no fee listed. Online eHome America course: $99 | Register for a class using the form on the Education & Counseling page; registration closes 24 hours before class. |
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Common questions
Is free housing counseling available in Memphis?
Yes. The Memphis Fair Housing Center at Memphis Area Legal Services describes itself as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and helps low-income families in Shelby, Fayette, Tipton and Lauderdale counties. Call (901) 432-4663.
How can I tell a legitimate assistance program from a scam?
Real nonprofit and government programs do not charge fees to apply, guarantee approval, or ask you to pay by wire or gift card. Confirm any offer by calling the agency using the phone number on its official website.