Housing is the first domino. Without a confirmed address, parole and probation supervision in Tennessee cannot begin, employment cannot start, and benefits cannot be accessed. Tennessee's parole and probation officers require an approved address before release is authorized. The housing search begins before the gate opens.
Tennessee has a well-developed TDOC-approved transitional housing network, a state-funded Reentry Housing Program providing up to 60 days of transitional housing, and strong city-level reentry organizations in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. The Morgan House -- a new 18-bed women's transitional housing facility announced in August 2025 -- is the most recent expansion in the state's reentry housing infrastructure.
The Housing Landscape in Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC, tn.gov/correction) reentry staff work with inmates before release to develop reentry plans, identify housing, and connect to community resources. TDOC maintains a list of TDOC-approved transitional housing providers; housing on this approved list can be submitted as a home plan address for parole consideration.
TDOC/THDA Reentry Housing Program (RHP): Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) and TDOC operate a Reentry Housing Program that provides up to 60 days of transitional housing funding for eligible returning citizens. Originally available only to those on probation or parole, the program was expanded to serve people who served their sentences without supervision. Several TDOC-approved providers accept RHP funding. Families should ask the TDOC reentry staff about RHP eligibility.
Nashville -- primary transitional housing providers:
Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry (TPOM, tpom.org): TDOC-approved; accepts RHP funding. Nashville campus includes a 16-bed men's duplex and women's transitional housing (up to 20), both near downtown Nashville on a major bus line. The four-phase program runs approximately 120 days. TPOM is a state-certified mental health provider offering individual, marital, and family counseling; case management; identification and clothing assistance; bank account setup; and medical and dental care. Every resident receives a Chromebook for job searching, online training, and virtual classes. Residents can enter the program pre-release.
The Morgan House (Nashville, announced August 2025): A new TPOM women's transitional housing facility -- 10,000 square feet providing housing for 18 women transitioning out of prison. Unlike typical 90- to 120-day programs, residents can stay as long as they need, providing longer-term stabilization while saving money for independent housing. Funded through state grants and private donations.
Dismas House of Nashville (dismas.org): TDOC-approved residential reentry program for men returning from Tennessee prisons and county jails. The Nashville campus has 56 reentry beds in double-occupancy rooms. Minimum 90-day stay; no maximum. Two programs: Reentry Program and Independent Living Program. Holistic services include health, counseling, case management, employment, and education support.
Project Return PRO (Project Return Opportunities for Housing): Affordable housing initiative in Nashville specifically for people who have returned from incarceration and face barriers in the private rental market.
Katherine House (3900 Katherine Street, Nashville, TN 37216; 615-594-8940): TDOC-approved women's transitional living home.
Doors of Hope (opendoorsofhope.org; 428 E. Bell, Nashville): Women's nonprofit empowering women to break cycles of addiction, homelessness, and incarceration.
Center House Nashville: Board of Probation/Parole approved transitional housing; provides home plans for people released from state correctional institutions.
Memphis -- primary transitional housing providers:
HopeWorks Memphis (hopeworksmemphis.org): Faith-informed reentry organization providing education, workforce training, and a growing transitional housing program for men. HopeWorks partners with TPOM to operate a 10-bed men's transitional facility in Memphis.
The Father's House (1836 Portland Ave, Memphis, TN 38127; 901-354-6246): Recovery/sober living housing in Shelby County.
Knoxville:
Lazarus Project of Knoxville (thelazarusproject.net; 7812/7814 Ball Camp Pike, Knoxville, TN; 865-280-2830): Intensive Residential Recovery, Transitional Housing, and Graduate/Independent Living -- a step-down model providing structure that reduces as residents build stability and independence.
Statewide:
Phases to Freedom (101 N. Caldwell Street, Paris, TN 38242; 731-407-4950 or 731-227-8820; ptfparis@outlook.com): TDOC-approved transitional housing in Henry County/west Tennessee.
Oxford Houses operate statewide in Tennessee including Memphis, Kingsport, and other communities. Peer-run, self-supporting, and drug-free; accessible without a corrections referral.
Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI, thei.org) provides a Moving Forward Guide with housing resource listings and educational programming inside Tennessee prisons.
For federal inmates, the Bureau of Prisons coordinates RRC placement for Tennessee federal inmates through BOP RRM Nashville. The Eastern District of Tennessee also has confirmed Residential Reentry Centers. Federal RRC placement is coordinated by the BOP unit team beginning 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families do not apply to federal RRCs directly.
Federal Restrictions on Public and Subsidized Housing
Federal law divides criminal history restrictions on federally assisted housing into mandatory lifetime bans and discretionary bans. Both apply in Tennessee.
Mandatory lifetime bans apply regardless of which Tennessee housing authority is involved:
Anyone subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program is banned from admission to public housing and most HUD-assisted programs. This is federal statute and no Tennessee housing authority can waive it.
Anyone convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on federally assisted property is permanently barred from all HUD-assisted housing.
Certain drug-related convictions carry mandatory restrictions depending on the specific program and conviction type, though PHAs retain some discretion in this category.
Discretionary bans apply to all other criminal history. Tennessee PHAs may consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket denials. HUD guidance from 2016 encourages individualized assessment. Tennessee PHAs vary in how broadly they apply discretionary standards. The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) is administered locally, so the specific policy depends on which Tennessee PHA covers the relevant area.
Tennessee has no statewide fair chance housing law limiting private landlord or PHA use of criminal history beyond the federal framework.
For Families
If anyone in the family lives in public or subsidized housing, this section requires immediate attention before release.
Adding a returning family member with certain criminal convictions to a household in public or HUD-assisted housing can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Families in public housing must contact their specific housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation happens before release, not after.
For families in private rental housing, Tennessee has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening without state restrictions.
TDOC-approved transitional housing can serve as a home plan address for parole consideration. Families should ask the TDOC reentry officer specifically whether applying to a TDOC-approved provider before release is appropriate and whether the person qualifies for the TDOC/THDA Reentry Housing Program (up to 60 days funded).
What families can do before release:
Contact the housing authority immediately if anyone in the household lives in public or subsidized housing. Get the specific policy before the person arrives.
Ask the TDOC reentry staff about the Reentry Housing Program (RHP) eligibility -- up to 60 days of funded transitional housing for qualifying individuals.
Review the TDOC approved housing list and contact TDOC-approved providers before release.
For Nashville: contact TPOM (tpom.org) and Dismas House (dismas.org) -- both accept pre-release applications.
For Memphis: contact HopeWorks Memphis (hopeworksmemphis.org) about the men's transitional facility.
For Knoxville: contact Lazarus Project of Knoxville (865-280-2830).
For women returning to Nashville: contact TPOM, Katherine House (615-594-8940), Doors of Hope, and the Morgan House (opening through TPOM).
Call 211 Tennessee (dial 211) for housing referrals and reentry services by county.
Confirm all housing with the assigned parole or probation officer. An approved address is required before release.
State Resources
TDOC Reentry (tn.gov/correction/redirect-reentry.html): Reentry staff; TDOC-approved housing list; Reentry Housing Program (RHP) through THDA; contact through the facility case manager.
Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry (tpom.org, Nashville): TDOC-approved; RHP-accepted; 16-bed men's duplex + women's homes (up to 20); Morgan House for 18 women (August 2025); 4-phase ~120-day program; state-certified mental health provider.
Dismas House of Nashville (dismas.org): TDOC-approved; 56 men's reentry beds; 90-day minimum; holistic programming; Reentry Program and Independent Living Program.
Project Return PRO Housing (Nashville): Affordable housing for returning citizens facing rental barriers.
Katherine House (3900 Katherine St, Nashville, TN 37216; 615-594-8940): TDOC-approved women's transitional home.
HopeWorks Memphis (hopeworksmemphis.org): Men's transitional housing (TPOM partnership, 10 beds); education; workforce training.
Lazarus Project of Knoxville (thelazarusproject.net; 7812/7814 Ball Camp Pike, Knoxville; 865-280-2830): Intensive residential recovery to independent living step-down model.
Phases to Freedom (101 N. Caldwell St., Paris, TN 38242; 731-407-4950): TDOC-approved; west Tennessee.
Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (thei.org): Moving Forward Guide with statewide housing resource listings.
211 Tennessee: Dial 211 for free referrals to housing, reentry services, shelter, and emergency assistance by county.
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee (las.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Tennesseans including housing rights and expungement.
Frequently asked questions
Can a felon get into public housing in Tennessee?
It depends on the conviction type and the specific Tennessee housing authority. Federal law mandates lifetime bans from HUD-assisted housing for people subject to lifetime sex offender registration and for people convicted of meth production on federally assisted property. Outside those mandatory bans, Tennessee PHAs have discretion to consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. Policies vary across Tennessee's many housing authorities. Contact the specific PHA in the relevant city or county for their current policy.
What are the federal housing bans for felons?
Two are mandatory everywhere: (1) lifetime sex offender registration bars admission from HUD-assisted housing, and (2) conviction for manufacturing meth on federally assisted property is a permanent bar. Beyond those, PHAs have discretion to consider other criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. HUD guidance from 2016 discourages blanket denials and encourages individualized assessments considering the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation.
Can my family lose Section 8 if my person moves in?
Yes. Allowing a person with a disqualifying criminal history to reside in a Section 8 or public housing unit can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Contact the housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation with the PHA happens before release, not after.
How does transitional housing work in Tennessee?
TDOC maintains a list of approved transitional housing providers and partners with THDA on the Reentry Housing Program (up to 60 days funded housing for eligible returning citizens). TDOC-approved housing can be submitted as a home plan address for parole consideration. In Nashville, TPOM (tpom.org) and Dismas House (dismas.org) are the primary TDOC-approved providers. In Memphis, HopeWorks (hopeworksmemphis.org) partners with TPOM for men's transitional housing. Knoxville has the Lazarus Project step-down model. For federal inmates, BOP RRM Nashville coordinates RRC placement beginning 17 to 19 months before release; under the First Step Act, programming credits can result in placement up to 12 months before release.
What is the TDOC Reentry Housing Program?
The TDOC/THDA Reentry Housing Program (RHP) provides up to 60 days of state-funded transitional housing for eligible returning citizens in Tennessee. Originally available only to those on probation or parole, the program was expanded to include people who served their sentences without supervision. TPOM and other TDOC-approved providers accept RHP funding. Reentry staff at TDOC facilities can initiate the RHP process before release. Families should ask the TDOC case manager or reentry staff whether their person qualifies for RHP funding when planning transitional housing.
How does federal RRC placement work in Tennessee?
The BOP unit team begins reviewing federal inmates for RRC eligibility 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. BOP RRM Nashville manages Tennessee placements. The Eastern District of Tennessee also has confirmed Residential Reentry Centers. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families cannot apply to RRCs directly. Families can help by ensuring the planned release address is clearly documented with the BOP case manager well in advance.
Can landlords in TN refuse to rent to ex-felons?
Yes. Tennessee has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening without state restrictions. Landlords using background check services must comply with the federal FCRA, which requires consent and adverse action notices. HUD guidance advises that blanket criminal history bans may violate the federal Fair Housing Act through disparate impact. Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee (las.org) provides free housing rights guidance. Project Return PRO Housing specifically assists returning citizens facing private rental barriers in Nashville.
What housing programs help returning citizens in Tennessee?
TDOC (tn.gov/correction) maintains TDOC-approved housing and Reentry Housing Program (RHP) access. TPOM (tpom.org) provides Nashville men's and women's transitional housing (TDOC-approved; RHP-accepted). Dismas House (dismas.org) provides 56-bed men's Nashville reentry housing (TDOC-approved). HopeWorks Memphis (hopeworksmemphis.org) provides Memphis men's transitional housing. Lazarus Project (thelazarusproject.net; 865-280-2830) provides Knoxville step-down housing. Katherine House (615-594-8940) provides Nashville women's housing. Phases to Freedom (731-407-4950) provides TDOC-approved west Tennessee housing. 211 TN (dial 211) provides county referrals. Legal Aid Society Middle TN (las.org) provides free housing legal help.
How do I find housing before my person is released?
Ask TDOC reentry staff about Reentry Housing Program (RHP) eligibility before release. Review the TDOC-approved housing list. Contact TPOM (tpom.org) -- they accept pre-release applications. Contact Dismas House (dismas.org) -- minimum 90-day stay, no maximum. For women: contact Katherine House (615-594-8940) and TPOM for Morgan House availability. For Memphis: contact HopeWorks Memphis (hopeworksmemphis.org). For Knoxville: contact Lazarus Project (865-280-2830). Call 211 TN for county referrals. If the family home is in public housing, contact the PHA immediately. Confirm all housing with the assigned parole officer before release.
Do sex offenders face housing limits in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee law restricts registered sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of schools, childcare centers, parks, playgrounds, and other specified locations. Many TDOC-approved transitional housing providers will not accept registered sex offenders or have specific intake restrictions. Parole supervision conditions for registrants may impose additional restrictions. Families of registrants must work directly with the supervising officer to identify compliant housing well before release. Confirm the current Tennessee statute (TCA §40-39-211 or current equivalent) and required distances at publish time. ---
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