COVID-19 Housing Assistance

CHAP applications are closed temporarily.

Housing help for COVID hardships.

United Housing’s COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program helps alleviate client burdens caused by COVID-19-related hardships. This program is only for Memphis residents and does not provide emergency housing support. To receive support through this program, you must demonstrate that your hardship is directly linked to COVID-19.

To get started, fill out our prescreening survey. After you submit it, a team member will contact you with your qualification status and next steps. A decision based on your prescreening survey could take up to six weeks.

Am I eligible?

You can answer a few simple questions to determine eligibility for CHAP. You must answer YES to all of these questions to participate. 

  • Are you behind on mortgage or rent payments and in danger of losing your home due to a COVID-19-related hardship?

  • Do you live within the Memphis city limits?

  • Can you demonstrate a minimum of 30% income loss due to COVID-19 hardship, including job loss, wage reduction, increase in childcare expenses or medical expenses? 

  • Can you provide proof of mortgage obligations or evidence of rental obligations?

  • If you rent, will your landlord be willing to participate in the program? 

What will I need to submit?

Once you submit your prescreening survey, a team member will contact you to start enrollment. You must be able to provide the following documents at that time. Once you submit your prescreening survey, start gathering these materials:

  • Proof of income (income limits apply, view the 2024 HUD 80% AMI limits here). 

  • Proof of hardship due to COVID-19 (unemployment letter or separation notice, last 30 days of pay stubs [screenshots will not be accepted], evidence of increase of childcare expenses, and/or increase of medical expenses due to COVID-19 etc.). 

  • Proof of mortgage or rental delinquency. 

  • Must provide federal ID (TN driver's license or state ID).

“I had a great experience with UHI. Other assistance programs have you waiting three months or more and UHI had my mortgage paid in less than 30 days. I’m now back on track with my payments – I really appreciate UHI helping my babies and me when we needed them.” - Mallissa, UHI Client

Need additional support?

The CHAP program isn’t a fit for all housing needs, but many programs in Memphis might be able to help you. Visit these partner sites for support with housing-related challenges that are not related to COVID-19:

  • If you have a court date in 30 days or less, click here for free legal help.

  • If your foreclosure sale date is 30 days or less, call West TN Legal Services at (731) 423-0616.

  • If you need emergency rental assistance, visit the Shelby County Community Services Agency for support.

  • If you are facing homelessness, call the Tennessee Homelessness Hotline at (901) 529-4545.