Churches That Help with Rent Nashville, TN

If you are located in Nashville, TN, and are struggling to pay your rent, several churches, ministries, and faith-based organizations in Nashville offer emergency rental assistance to help families avoid eviction.

Major Faith-Based Rental Assistance Programs

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville, provides short-term emergency financial assistance to help families in Davidson County pay overdue rent, mortgages, and utility bills. The availability of financial aid is determined based on available funds and the applicant’s residential zip code.

How ​​to Apply

Online Application: You must complete the initial application form through the Catholic Charities Get Help Portal.

Application Hours: The portal is open Monday through Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It remains closed Thursday through Sunday.

Telephone Pre-screening: If you are unable to use the portal, you may contact the main office line at 615-352-3087 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Policies and Process

Eligibility: You must be a resident of Davidson County and facing a verifiable eviction crisis or a sudden loss of income.

Case Management: You will be assigned a case manager to review your bills, verify your lease agreement, and develop a long-term plan to maintain permanent housing stability.

Wait Times: Due to a very high volume of assistance requests, please anticipate longer-than-usual processing times once you have submitted your form.

The Salvation Army (Nashville Command)

The Salvation Army (Nashville Area Command) provides short-term emergency assistance for rent, mortgages, and utilities to families in Davidson County through its Food and Financial Assistance Program. All applications must now be processed through their automated online network. Application Process

Mandatory Online Portal: According to recent updates, the agency utilizes a centralized application intake site. You must submit your application through the SAHelp Portal.

No Calls or Walk-ins: The local command no longer responds to phone calls, voicemail inquiries, or emails regarding the status of rental assistance applications. In-person walk-in appointments for financial assistance are not available.

Weekly Request Limits: The system accepts a strictly limited number of requests each week. The portal resets every Monday morning. If the limit is reached, you will see a notice blocking new requests, requiring you to try again the following Monday.

Requirements and Case Management

Service Area: You must be a verified resident of Davidson County.

Next Steps: If your online application qualifies based on the initial assessment, a local case manager will contact you to send a unique link allowing you to schedule a direct, detailed appointment.

Landlord Protection: If your application regarding overdue payments is approved, an official notification will be sent directly to your housing contact or landlord to secure your account while the physical check is being processed.

Location: The physical offices and operations center are located at 631 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207.

Documents to Upload

When you are granted access to the system, you will be required to provide digital copies of the following:

• A current lease agreement or mortgage statement showing your name and address.
• A valid Tennessee state photo ID for the primary applicant.
• Proof of income for all working adults in the household (pay stubs, child support records, SSI, or unemployment statements).
• Documentation explaining the unexpected financial hardship (such as medical records or layoff notices).

Rooftop Nashville

Rooftop Nashville is a local, faith-based non-profit organization that pools financial contributions from Nashville churches into a single emergency fund. They provide one-time assistance for rent, mortgage, and security deposit payments, disbursing funds directly to landlords and lenders to prevent eviction and homelessness.

Eligibility Guidelines

To qualify for assistance from Rooftop Nashville, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Location: You must be a legal resident of Davidson County, TN.

Lease/Mortgage: The legal residential lease agreement or mortgage agreement must be in your name.

Balance Limit: Your total overdue housing balance (including any landlord attorney fees or late payment charges) cannot exceed $2,500.

Financial Hardship: You must provide proof of a recent, unique, and unexpected financial hardship that caused you to fall behind on payments.

Future Sustainability: You must demonstrate that you have ongoing income to pay future bills after receiving assistance from Rooftop. Your monthly household income must be at least double (2x) the monthly rent amount, or you must provide an official HUD/Section 8 rent adjustment notice.

Frequency: Assistance is limited to once every 12 months.

How the Application Process Works

Online Portal Windows: Applications must be submitted through the Rooftop Nashville Application Portal. The portal opens every Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. and closes on Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m.

Early Closures: If funds run out, or if the application queue reaches maximum processing capacity for the week, the “Apply Now” button will disappear from the site earlier than scheduled. It is highly recommended that you submit your application exactly at 8:00 a.m. on Monday.

Telephone/Physical Options: If you experience difficulties with internet technology, you may request an application form by phone by calling 615-485-5920, or drop off documentation in the administrative dropbox located at 108 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203. In-person appointments are not available without prior notice.

Interview with a Social Worker: If your initial application submitted through the online portal matches an available funding grant, a Rooftop social worker will call you to conduct a telephone interview and request your documents.

Direct Payment: A review committee makes final decisions regarding the allocation of funds on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Approved funds are sent via physical check directly to your landlord or mortgage company; the money is never given directly to the tenant.

Special Security Deposit Grants

Rooftop offers Specialized Deposit Subsidies if you are transitioning from homelessness or from a market-rate apartment into MDHA or Section 8 housing (which is income-based). Please note that they do not offer deposit subsidies for standard market-rate residential units, nor do they cover moves between two different Section 8 properties.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides emergency assistance for rent, mortgage, and utility payments in Nashville through decentralized, volunteer-run neighborhood chapters (called “Conferences”), which operate out of local Catholic parishes.

Since each parish manages its own funds—which are strictly limited—you must submit your application to the specific parish conference that covers your residential zip code.

Active SVdP Parish Help Lines in Nashville

North Nashville (Zip codes: 37208, 37207, 37218):

Managed directly by the Community Outreach Ministry of St. Vincent de Paul Church, located at 1700 Heiman St, Nashville, TN 37208.

Phone: 615-320-3223 | Email: stvincentoutreach@gmail.com

Hours: The Community Outreach Office processes requests on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

South Nashville / Antioch (Zip codes: 37211, 37027):

Managed by the St. Edward Parish Conference.

How to apply: You must submit your request via the St. Edward Application Form.

Donelson / East Nashville Area:

Managed by the Holy Rosary Church SVdP Conference.

Phone: 615-854-8434

Email: svdphrnashville@gmail.com

West Nashville Area:

Managed by the St. Ann Catholic Church SVdP program.

Process: Contact the parish office directly to be referred to a “Vincentian” volunteer responsible for case management. How the SVdP System Works

Home Visits: If the local chapter has funds available at the time of your call, you will not be required to travel to an office. Instead, two “Vincentian” volunteers will schedule a visit to your home (or a phone interview) to discuss your situation, review your bills, and provide emotional support.

Direct Payment to Landlord: Like most local charitable organizations, if your application for rental assistance is approved, St. Vincent de Paul will issue a check directly to your landlord or property management company—never to you.

Payment Pledges / Co-funding: If your outstanding rent balance exceeds the amount a single parish can cover, SVdP volunteers often coordinate with other agencies (such as Rooftop Nashville or Catholic Charities) to “pledge” a portion of the funds, thereby collectively settling your debt.

Ladies of Charity Welfare Agency

The Ladies of Charity Welfare Agency offers emergency rental assistance in Nashville; however, their housing funds are strictly restricted to residents of Davidson County who receive Section 8 benefits or a HUD housing subsidy, or to those residing in properties owned by the MDHA (Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency) or Urban Housing.

Rental Assistance Eligibility Criteria

Subsidized Housing Only: You must have an overdue rent balance while residing in a government-subsidized housing unit. They cannot provide assistance for standard, market-rate private rental agreements.

What They Do Not Cover: Under no circumstances does the agency cover security deposits, late fees imposed by the landlord, legal or court fees, or rent for the current or future month. They only make payments to cover a verified balance of overdue base rent.

Geographic Restriction: You must reside within Davidson County.

How to Contact the Emergency Assistance Office (EAO)

By Phone: Call the Emergency Assistance Office directly at 615-327-3430.

Hours of Operation: Phone lines and financial assistance screenings are handled Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Their social welfare office and thrift store are located at 2216 State Street, Nashville, TN 37203 (very close to Centennial Park).

Individual Local Churches You Can Contact

New Covenant Christian Church: Offers community support resources; call 615-320-1590 or visit New Covenant Nashville.

Community Care Fellowship: A faith-based organization offering stabilization programs and temporary relief during crisis situations. Call 615-227-1953 or visit Community Care Fellowship.

Payne Chapel AME Church: Offers emergency assistance options for residents of Davidson County. Contact them at 615-262-3675.

What to Prepare Before Contacting Them

To expedite your request, please ensure you have the following documents ready:

• A copy of your current lease agreement.
• An official eviction notice or a past-due balance letter issued by your landlord.
• Proof of income or proof of recent financial hardship (such as medical bills or job loss).
• Government-issued photo identification for all adults residing in the household.