Housing

Publications

• Renter and Homeowner Information – Recordings by the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands that discuss housing issues

Helpful Links

Services

• Memphis Fair Housing Center – This organization can be reached at 109 North Main, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38103, or by phone at (901) 432-4663.
• Tennessee Fair Housing Council – A private, non-profit advocacy organization whose mission is to eliminate housing discrimination throughout Tennessee.
• Fair Housing Project – provides legal advocacy, education, and outreach on fair housing issues.  They may be reached by phone at 731-426-1309.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Administers and enforces federal laws and establishes policies that make sure all Americans have equal access to the housing of their choice.
• Tennessee Human Rights Commission – An independent state agency responsible for enforcing the Tennessee Human Rights Act and the Tennessee Disability Act which prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodation.
• Rooftop Nashville – Provides emergency rental assistance to residents of Davidson County through a partnership with local congregations.
• Help4TN– A toll-free phone line helping Tennesseans find resources to deal with civil legal issues. Can be reached by phone at 1-844-HELP4TN. Those who cannot afford a lawyer may call the helpline at 1-844-435-7486 and schedule an appointment to talk to a licensed Tennessee lawyer.
• Online Tennessee Justice – A private messaging service where volunteer attorneys answer legal questions for persons with low income.
• Private attorney referral services:
  • Nashville Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service – Contact with this service puts you in touch with a pre-screened lawyer with whom you may schedule a half-hour appointment for a small fee (instead of the lawyer’s normal hourly fee).
  • Knoxville Bar Association Lawyer Referral & Information Service – Contact with this service puts you in touch with a pre-screened lawyer with whom you may schedule a half-hour appointment for a small fee (instead of the lawyer’s normal hourly fee).
  • Chattanooga Lawyers Information Provider Service – Contact with this service puts you in touch with a pre-screened lawyer with whom you may schedule a half-hour appointment for a small fee (instead of the lawyer’s normal hourly fee).
  • Memphis Bar Association – Contact with this service puts you in touch with a list of the lawyers who are members of the Memphis Bar Association.
• Local Legal Aid Offices:
  • Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands – A private, non-profit organization that provides free legal services to people with low income.
  • West Tennessee Legal Services – A non-profit organization that provides assistance in civil cases to individuals, families, and communities
  • Legal Aid of East Tennessee – Provides civil legal services ranging from information and advice to complex litigation and appellate advocacy to low income persons, seniors, and victims of domestic violence.
  • Southeast Tennessee Legal Services – A public interest law firm seeking justice and opportunity for Tennesseans.
  • Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. – Provides free legal assistance in civil matters to low income and elderly persons.
  • Community Legal Center – Offers lower income individuals and families in the Memphis area an affordable way to get legal assistance for various legal issues.

Information

• HELP4TN (Legal Information for Tennesseans)  – Online Legal Information and Self-Help
• Tennessee Disability Pathfinder – A statewide clearinghouse of disability-related resources and multilingual helpline with information about housing services.
• 2-1-1 – Tennessee’s community services help line.  You may reach them by dialing 211 from any phone.