Housing Vouchers, Public Housing & Homeless Services
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.
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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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| Catholic Charities of West Tennessee official websiteMemphis and West Tennessee | Catholic Charities runs housing services focused on moving people out of homelessness into stable housing, along with street outreach that provides meals, clothing, restrooms, and handwashing stations. It also operates a program for veterans and their families that includes help with housing stability. Call the main line or visit the website's homeless services section to learn how to start. | Housing services focus on people experiencing homelessness or housing crises. Veteran-specific assistance requires an honorable discharge.Cost: Free | Call the main line, or for veteran family support call (901) 722-4760 for an appointment or visit 85 N. Cleveland St., weekdays 8 a.m.-noon. |
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| Community Alliance for the Homeless (CAFTH) & Coordinated Entry official websiteMemphis and Shelby County, TN | CAFTH is the HUD-designated lead agency for the Memphis and Shelby County Continuum of Care. It does not provide direct services itself but manages the Coordinated Entry System, the community's shared process for connecting people experiencing homelessness to housing programs. Use it to understand how local homeless services fit together. | Coordinated Entry serves people experiencing homelessness in Memphis/Shelby CountyCost: Free | The CES page doesn't list intake steps. Contact CAFTH or visit the Hospitality Hub, the community's entry point. |
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| Hospitality Hub official websiteMemphis, TN | A day center describing itself as Memphis' single point of entry into the Continuum of Care for people experiencing homelessness. Services include ID replacement, mail service, employment readiness and job training, case management, outreach, and on-site health and navigation support. It also operates warming and cooling centers. | People experiencing homelessnessCost: Free | Visit during open hours or call. |
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| Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) official websiteMemphis, TN | The city's housing authority administers public housing, the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, project-based vouchers, a Family Self-Sufficiency program, and a Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. The voucher waiting list was closed at last check, and the Authority says it will announce publicly when it reopens. The Authority warns applicants never to pay to join a list. | Income-based federal programs; see MHA for current rules. Waiting list status varies by program and site.Cost: Free to apply (never pay a fee to join a waiting list) | Apply online through the MHA portal when a list is open or visit in person. Voucher office is by appointment/drop-off only. |
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Common questions
Is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list open?
At last check, the Memphis Housing Authority listed its Housing Choice Voucher waiting list as closed and said it will publicly announce when it reopens. Public housing and project-based voucher waitlists have opened at different times for specific sites, so check the Authority's website.
Do I have to pay to get on a waiting list?
No. The Memphis Housing Authority warns applicants never to pay a fee to join a waiting list, never to send wire transfers or prepaid cards, and never to share financial information by text or email.
What if I'm already on a waiting list?
Keep your contact information current with the housing authority. The Authority says it contacts applicants by mail when their names reach the top of the list, so a missed address change can cost you your place.
Where do I go if I have no safe place to stay tonight?
Memphis uses a Coordinated Entry System to connect people experiencing homelessness with housing options. The Hospitality Hub serves as the community's single point of entry into the Continuum of Care, and you can also call 2-1-1.