Five Accessible Housing Resources to Know About

by Rebecca Anderson, Director of Communications, TN Housing Development Agency

Image Description: Two men are in front of a blue door with a large red bow. One man is seated in a wheelchair, wearing a white shirt and black pants. He has light brown skin and is smiling. The other man is standing, wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans. He has dark skin and is also smiling.

DeCarlos and Deontae are thrilled with their new home in Williamson County.

Every Tennessean needs safe, decent housing.

However, many individuals, especially those who are aging or disabled, face challenges related to housing. To assist with some of these challenges, Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) offers the following programs to support people across the state

Finding Rental Housing: Looking for a rental home can be challenging for individuals with disabilities. TNHousingSearch.org is a resource for finding rental housing that can meet your needs. Unlike typical rental housing websites, searches on TNHousingSearch.org can be based on various accessibility features, ranging from wheelchair-accessible doorways to showers with grab bars. Learn more by visiting TNHousingSearch.org.

Emergency Home Repair (ERP): If an aging or disabled homeowner’s residence has an emergency repair need, such as a leaky roof, major plumbing issue, or broken heater, THDA’s Emergency Repair Program (ERP) may be able to assist. This program helps homeowners correct, repair, or replace essential systems or critical structural problems in their homes, making the homes more livable. Visit thda.org to find the local ERP administering agency in your area.

Home Modifications and Ramps Program: Making homes more accessible for people who are disabled or aging can be costly. THDA’s Home Modifications and Ramps program helps make homes wheelchair-friendly by installing ramps, widening doorways, and installing grab bars in bathrooms. These small changes make homes safer and easier to navigate.

Applications for this program are accepted through United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee. More information can be found thda.org.

Saving Money on Energy Bills: THDA also helps people save money on their electricity bills through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This program helps low-income families – especially those with young children, aging adults, or people with disabilities who pay a high proportion of household income on home energy – by meeting their immediate energy needs. Common weatherization measures include air and duct sealing and adding insulation to attics, walls, and floors. This ensures a home stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter without wasting energy. Contact THDA for more information.

THDA’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is another program that offers financial help to low-income families, including those with disabilities. LIHEAP provides a one-time payment to help you pay off your heating or cooling bill. This program is especially helpful to those with disabilities where staying at a comfortable temperature may be crucial for their health and well-being. Contact THDA for more information.

THDA programs do not just fix houses, they improve lives. By working with local organizations in your community, THDA is working to make sure all Tennesseans have a safe, comfortable, and affordable place to call home.

Visit THDA.org for additional information and resources on all these programs.