As of June 10th, 2024, we no longer accept new rental assistance applications at the CHATT Foundation. Please see the link below for other Tennessee Rental Assistance Resources.

Please make sure you have reviewed the qualifications for the rental assistance program listed below.

Emergency Rental Assistance -

Eviction Prevention Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The purpose of the program is to provide eviction prevention assistance to eligible tenants to help prevent evictions and keep households that rent stably housed. Assistance is available to very low-income households who rent housing within Tennessee and are facing eviction, are at risk of homelessness, or require assistance to maintain or obtain housing.

Assistance is subject to availability of funds at time of application processing. The eligible costs for the program include, but are not limited to: 

  • Rental assistance, late fees, utility arrears, and disconnection/ reconnection fees, 

  • Tenant legal services and fees related to eviction proceedings, and

  • Housing stability.

Applicants can apply online 24/7, or in-person by appointment only, and expect to receive a response with the next steps within 72 hours.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

To be eligible for financial assistance, households must meet the following requirements:

  1. One or more individuals within the household must have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the coronavirus pandemic; and 

  2. One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and 

  3. The household income is below 80% of the area median income(AMI)*. 

  4. The household must submit a complete application; and 

  5. The household must provide the appropriate supporting documentation; and 

  6. The household is or has been a tenant of a unit that is located within Tennessee; and 

  7. The household was, is, or will be obligated to pay rent under a lease or agreement

*Priority will be given to households at or below 50% AMI. Please see the table below:

If an applicant is ineligible for financial assistance, but is requesting housing stability assistance, households must meet requirements 4-6 above. Additionally, the assistance must be needed to keep or make the household stably housed.  

DOCUMENTS TO GATHER

  • Your application will be processed quicker if you provide the following documents during the application process:

    • Driver’s License/ID for all adult household members

    • Birth certificate and Social security card for all household members (including minor children)

    • Current lease agreement, eviction notice, late rent notice, utility disconnection notice (household needs will dictate required documents)