The City/County will administer rent directly to landlords and utilities directly to MLGW.

You will be eligible for assistance if you household is a renter household renting your residence in Shelby County, Tennessee (This includes Memphis, Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, and Millington) AND you can provide documents or attest in writing all three of the following things:

(1) Someone in the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or someone in the household has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak, (must provide documents or attest in writing); and

(2) You are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. For example, (I) you have a past due utility or rent notice or eviction notice; (II) you have evidence of unsafe or unhealthy living conditions; or (III) you have any other evidence of such risk (must provide documents or attest in writing); and

(3) Your household income that is not more than 80 percent of the area median income for the household. This will be calculated either based on 2020 calendar year or most recent month or months of income documents.

Income Cap: 80% AMI in Shelby County

When applications reopen between May 1, 2021 at noon and May 14, 2021 at midnight, submit an application online or text “home901” to 21000 to complete the form on your mobile phone. For Spanish, text “casa901” to 21000. Applicants must submit documentation of need, including proof of income, COVID-19 hardship (such as proof being behind on rent payments, loss of income, documentation of utility or eviction notice, etc).

Yes – anyone with a smartphone or computer with an internet connection can complete the application when the application portal is open. 

Email your questions to help@home901.org or call 211 for information about office hours at a location near you. Team members will be available to walk you through the application or to provide assistance with completing the application, including scanning and uploading required documents.

A weighted equitable selection process will prioritize at-risk tenants and assure an equitable distribution of resources. Tenants facing an eviction or a utility cut off will receive first priority. A rolling, random selection process will promote equality and access to resources for as many people as possible.

Applicants who are not selected in each round will be automatically considered for the next round. Applicants will not be able to apply more than one time.

Funding is determined based upon need.

Payments will be processed as quickly as possible after screening and selection.

Approved applicants facing eviction will be prioritized for rental assistance and will be paired with free legal assistance. Lawyers will attempt to settle rental arrearages with applicant’s landlord. If landlords agree to participate in the program, the program will make a payment directly to the landlord to settle the eviction case.

Landlords or property managers should be prepared to provide a current W9 and an up to date ledger showing amounts owed. Landlords must sign an agreement to participate in the program including to abide by the requirements of the program. Fill out the required landlord information form or text “landlord” to 21000 to complete the form on your mobile phone.

Yes. Among tenants who receive assistance, some may be selected to receive up to three months of future rental assistance. The weighted selection process will equitably select a pool of recipients of future rent. Not everyone will receive future rent.

As a condition for receiving rental payments, landlords must agree in writing not to evict their tenant based upon the past due rent that is being paid by the program.  Landlords must also agree to inspections of the unit covered by the program.  Landlords who agree to receive future rent payments cannot file evictions during the period in which they receive future rent. Other details and the form agreement is available with the landlord application.

The City of Memphis and Shelby County are conducting a careful evaluation of the program to follow the impact of providing rent and utility relief. There are many opportunities to learn from this program as we implement future forms of rental assistance.

Shelby County Division of Community Services, City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development, Neighborhood Preservation, Inc., the University of Memphis Law School Legal Clinic, Memphis Area Legal Services, Metropolitan Interfaith Association (MIFA), United Housing, Inc., United Way of the Mid-South, Innovate Memphis, and United States Digital Response (USDR).

Yes. You may qualify for the CDC’s Eviction Moratorium, protecting you from eviction for nonpayment of rent. Please check to see if you qualify and generate a letter stating your rights. It is very important that you deliver a signed copy to your landlord and to the court if you have an eviction case. If you do so, the CDC Eviction Moratorium states that you cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent before June 30, 2021, even if a judge rules against you in court. NOTE: In the Western District of Tennessee, a federal judge has ruled that the CDC Eviction Moratorium is unenforceable, but that ruling is on appeal. It is recommended that you complete and submit a letter to your landlord so that you will have the most protection possible.

• If you have not already, contact your mortgage provider. 
• If you have a federally-backed mortgage, you are allowed 180 days of forbearance if you contact your mortgage provider and demonstrate proof of hardship because of COVID-19.
• If your mortgage is not federally-backed, your specific provider will have their own terms. Contact your mortgage provider directly to arrange a repayment plan. They will likely have several options for you to consider.

If you did not miss any payments prior to March 27, 2020, please see our Additional Resources for further assistance. If you missed payments before March 27, 2020, contact your mortgage servicer listed on your mortgage statement.

These programs are designed to provide assistance to individuals and families who are facing eviction as a direct result of the global pandemic. We wish you and your family nothing but the best, and we are sorry that we cannot assist you at this time. Please see the eviction resources under Additional Resources for other agencies that may be able to provide assistance.

COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Program – Mortgage Assistance

Alcy Ball Development Corp –  Financial Management, Budget Counseling

Frayser Community Development Corp – Financial Management, Budget Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, Default Resolution Counseling, Mortgage Delinquency

Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center – Financial Counseling

NID Housing Counseling Agency – Financial Management, Budget Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, Default Resolution Counseling, Mortgage Delinquency, Landlord/Tenant Counseling

Operation Hope – Financial Management, Budget Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling

Tennessee Housing Development Agency – Foreclosure Prevention Counseling

United Housing – Servicios En Espanol, Foreclosure Counseling, Post Purchase Homeowner Education