Voucher-Friendly Housing in Memphis

MHA serves the city of Memphis, operating mixed-income communities — such as Legends Park, Cleaborn Pointe at Heritage Landing, University Place, and Uptown Square — along with the Housing Choice Voucher program. Many were redeveloped from historic public housing like Dixie Homes, Cleaborn Homes, and LeMoyne Gardens. Rent in the public housing units is income-based, set at roughly 30% of adjusted household income.

MHA uses site-based waiting lists for public housing, applied for through its online applicant portal, and separately runs Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher waitlists. Lists open and close periodically and are often closed. If you are already on a list, MHA generally requires you to confirm continued interest every six months through the portal. Check current status at memphisha.org before applying, and never pay to apply.

Tennessee has no statewide source-of-income protection, and private landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program is generally voluntary — meaning a landlord may decline a voucher. The City of Memphis Fair Housing Ordinance has been described as prohibiting discrimination based on source of income, including "No Section 8" advertising, but published sources conflict on whether it actually requires a landlord to accept a voucher. Because this is unsettled, verify current local protections with the City of Memphis or a legal aid provider before relying on them. Federal Fair Housing protections always apply: a landlord may not refuse you based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Research by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund has documented significant voucher discrimination in Memphis.

Apply through the Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) at memphisha.org via its applicant portal when waitlists are open. Rent is based on income (about 30% of adjusted household income); eligibility is generally limited to households at or below local income limits. For public housing applicant portal help, call (901) 544-1107 or email phwaitlist@memphisha.org. Applications are free — never pay to apply.