Tennessee Housing Directory
OACRA Tennessee Housing Directory
Tennessee Housing & Reentry-Friendly Housing
Transitional housing, shelters, and supportive housing resources
This directory highlights transitional housing, shelters, and supportive housing programs in Tennessee that serve people experiencing homelessness, behavioral health needs, or reentry from incarceration. Most are not limited to justice-involved people, but many regularly work with people leaving jail or prison. Openings, eligibility, and fees change frequently — always contact the program directly and follow your probation or parole conditions.
✅ Reentry / justice-friendly housing & transitional programs
🛠️ General shelters & housing – confirm policies and restrictions
ℹ️ Always confirm with your officer or case manager before moving in
Memphis / West Tennessee
Counties: Shelby, Madison, Tipton, Fayette, Lauderdale, Haywood & surrounding areas
Transitional & Reentry Housing
✅ Reentry-focused
HopeWorks Memphis – Reentry Housing
Faith-informed reentry organization offering education, workforce training, and a growing transitional housing program for men returning from incarceration in partnership with local corrections and community groups.
Faith-informed reentry organization offering education, workforce training, and a growing transitional housing program for men returning from incarceration in partnership with local corrections and community groups.
Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry – Memphis Transitional Home
TDOC-approved transitional housing for men, operated in partnership with HopeWorks, providing a structured, sober living environment, case management, and support for employment and spiritual growth after prison.
TDOC-approved transitional housing for men, operated in partnership with HopeWorks, providing a structured, sober living environment, case management, and support for employment and spiritual growth after prison.
Residential Reentry Centers (Halfway Houses)
Federal Bureau of Prisons contracted Residential Reentry Centers serving Tennessee help people transition from federal custody back to the community with structured housing, employment support, and treatment requirements.
Federal Bureau of Prisons contracted Residential Reentry Centers serving Tennessee help people transition from federal custody back to the community with structured housing, employment support, and treatment requirements.
Placement is arranged through the Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Probation. Ask your case manager
or attorney for details if you are still in federal custody.
Locations vary – federal reentry
Emergency Shelters & Recovery Programs
🛠️ General shelters / confirm first
Memphis Union Mission
Christian ministry offering emergency shelter, meals, and longer-term recovery programs for men experiencing homelessness, including some individuals returning from incarceration.
Christian ministry offering emergency shelter, meals, and longer-term recovery programs for men experiencing homelessness, including some individuals returning from incarceration.
Rules, capacity, and program entry change frequently — call ahead and ask about any restrictions
related to your charges or supervision status.
Memphis & Shelby County Emergency Shelters
Multiple shelters and family programs operate in Memphis and greater Shelby County through local nonprofits and faith communities, including family shelters and domestic violence programs.
Multiple shelters and family programs operate in Memphis and greater Shelby County through local nonprofits and faith communities, including family shelters and domestic violence programs.
Check local 2-1-1 listings or county homeless resource guides for up-to-date shelter openings,
intake hours, and referral requirements.
Shelby County & nearby
Nashville / Middle Tennessee
Counties: Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, Sumner, Wilson, Maury, Robertson & nearby
Reentry & Supportive Housing
✅ Reentry-focused
Dismas House – Residential Reentry Program
TDOC-approved residential reentry program for men returning from Tennessee prisons and jails, providing structured housing, case management, health and counseling services, and support for employment and education.
TDOC-approved residential reentry program for men returning from Tennessee prisons and jails, providing structured housing, case management, health and counseling services, and support for employment and education.
Project Return Opportunities for Housing (PRO Housing)
Affordable housing initiative specifically dedicated to people who have returned from incarceration and are working hard to build stable lives, but face barriers in the private rental market because of conviction history.
Affordable housing initiative specifically dedicated to people who have returned from incarceration and are working hard to build stable lives, but face barriers in the private rental market because of conviction history.
Dedicated to people with records
Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry – Nashville Transitional Homes
TDOC-approved men’s and women’s transitional homes providing safe, structured housing, life skills, spiritual support, and reentry assistance, including a step-down unit for increased independence.
TDOC-approved men’s and women’s transitional homes providing safe, structured housing, life skills, spiritual support, and reentry assistance, including a step-down unit for increased independence.
Family Shelters & Homeless Housing
🛠️ General shelters / confirm first
Safe Haven Family Shelter
Shelter-to-housing program serving families experiencing homelessness in Middle Tennessee, with case management and rapid re-housing. Focus is on families rather than single adults.
Shelter-to-housing program serving families experiencing homelessness in Middle Tennessee, with case management and rapid re-housing. Focus is on families rather than single adults.
Not a reentry-only program — ask about eligibility if you have recent justice involvement or
supervision requirements.
Nashville Homeless & Housing Providers
Organizations such as Nashville Rescue Mission, Urban Housing Solutions, and other local agencies provide emergency shelter, supportive housing, and affordable housing options for people who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness.
Organizations such as Nashville Rescue Mission, Urban Housing Solutions, and other local agencies provide emergency shelter, supportive housing, and affordable housing options for people who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness.
Some sites may have restrictions related to offenses, substance use, or curfew. Check directly with
each provider before listing them as your residence.
Davidson County & surrounding
Knoxville / East Tennessee
Counties: Knox, Anderson, Blount, Sevier, Jefferson & surrounding areas
Supportive & Transitional Housing
✅ Housing support / referrals
Volunteer Ministry Center – Knoxville
Nonprofit focused on ending homelessness through street outreach, case management, and permanent supportive housing for individuals with long-term barriers, including behavioral health and justice involvement.
Nonprofit focused on ending homelessness through street outreach, case management, and permanent supportive housing for individuals with long-term barriers, including behavioral health and justice involvement.
Knoxville · Knox County
Tennessee Outreach Center for the Homeless (TORCH)
Anderson County outreach program providing case management, limited emergency shelter access, and assistance in securing stable housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Anderson County outreach program providing case management, limited emergency shelter access, and assistance in securing stable housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Anderson County & nearby
Emergency Shelters & Domestic Violence Programs
🛠️ General shelters / confirm first
YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley – Domestic Violence Housing
Domestic violence emergency housing and supportive services for survivors and their children in East Tennessee. Primary focus is on safety from abuse.
Domestic violence emergency housing and supportive services for survivors and their children in East Tennessee. Primary focus is on safety from abuse.
Not a reentry-specific program. If your case involves no-contact or domestic violence orders,
coordinate carefully with your officer and advocate.
Knoxville & Anderson County region
Knoxville Emergency Shelters
A mix of faith-based and nonprofit shelters provide short-term beds and stabilization support for adults and families experiencing homelessness in Knoxville and surrounding counties.
A mix of faith-based and nonprofit shelters provide short-term beds and stabilization support for adults and families experiencing homelessness in Knoxville and surrounding counties.
Capacity is limited and many shelters have curfews, sobriety expectations, and behavior rules.
Ask about background and supervision-related restrictions when you call.
Knoxville area
Chattanooga / Southeast Tennessee
Counties: Hamilton, Bradley, Marion, Rhea, Meigs, Polk, Sequatchie & region
Supportive & Reentry Housing
✅ Housing support
The Chatt Foundation – Shelters & Housing
Chattanooga nonprofit offering emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing for adults experiencing homelessness, including men and women with disabilities and complex needs.
Chattanooga nonprofit offering emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing for adults experiencing homelessness, including men and women with disabilities and complex needs.
Salvation Army – Chattanooga Residential Reentry Center
Residential Reentry Center providing structured housing and programming for individuals transitioning from incarceration, with case management and supports to reduce recidivism.
Residential Reentry Center providing structured housing and programming for individuals transitioning from incarceration, with case management and supports to reduce recidivism.
Placement is coordinated with corrections and community supervision. Ask your officer or case
manager if this is an option for you.
Chattanooga
Emergency Shelters & Missions
🛠️ General shelters / confirm first
Union Gospel Mission – Chattanooga
Faith-based mission offering emergency shelter and basic services to people experiencing homelessness in Chattanooga.
Faith-based mission offering emergency shelter and basic services to people experiencing homelessness in Chattanooga.
Contact the mission for current intake rules and to ask whether your charges or supervision
conditions create any restrictions.
Chattanooga
Tennessee Statewide & Housing Coordination
Covers: All 95 counties, statewide programs, and housing coordination offices
Statewide Housing & Reentry Coordination
✅ Housing support / referrals
TN Dept. of Mental Health – Office of Housing & Homeless Services
State office that funds and coordinates supportive housing and homeless services across Tennessee for people living with mental illness or co-occurring disorders, often working through local providers in each region.
State office that funds and coordinates supportive housing and homeless services across Tennessee for people living with mental illness or co-occurring disorders, often working through local providers in each region.
Ask a case manager, treatment provider, or AJC staff to help you connect with local housing
projects funded through this office.
Tennessee Housing Development Agency – Homelessness Resources by County
THDA maintains a county-by-county list of homeless service providers, shelters, and housing assistance programs that can be used to locate options anywhere in the state.
THDA maintains a county-by-county list of homeless service providers, shelters, and housing assistance programs that can be used to locate options anywhere in the state.
Tennessee Office of Reentry (TOOR)
State Office of Reentry that connects justice-involved individuals with workforce and supportive services, including referrals to local housing partners where available.
State Office of Reentry that connects justice-involved individuals with workforce and supportive services, including referrals to local housing partners where available.
Use the TOOR contact form or email to ask for reentry and housing contacts in your region,
especially if you are still incarcerated and planning for release.
Finding Additional Housing Options
🛠️ Use with officer guidance
2-1-1, Continuum of Care & Coordinated Entry Systems
Many Tennessee communities use 2-1-1 and local Continuum of Care networks for “coordinated entry” into shelters and housing programs. Calling 2-1-1 can connect you with a housing navigator or referral specialist in your county.
Many Tennessee communities use 2-1-1 and local Continuum of Care networks for “coordinated entry” into shelters and housing programs. Calling 2-1-1 can connect you with a housing navigator or referral specialist in your county.
Have your documents ready (ID, Social Security number, release paperwork if available) and let
them know if you are on probation or parole so they can factor that into referrals.
Statewide
Important: A “✅ Reentry-focused” label means the program is known to work with justice-involved people, not that they will accept every applicant. Space is limited and decisions depend on your charges, treatment needs, program rules, and funding.
Probation / parole restrictions: Always confirm with your probation or parole officer before changing addresses or moving into any housing program. Some people are restricted from living in certain areas or near schools, daycares, or victims. Get approval in writing when possible.
Hands-off matching: OACRA does not operate or control any of these housing programs and cannot guarantee availability, safety, or court approval. Use this directory as a starting point, then verify details with the provider and your supervising authority.
Updates & corrections: To suggest a Tennessee housing program or correct a listing, email contact@oacra.app with the provider name, website, city, and details about who they serve.
