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The Metropolitan Action Commission provides utility bill help to Nashville and Davidson County residents. The commission is opening two additional offices to help process an expected increase in utility bill assistance applications with the start of a new fiscal year in July 1.
The Metro Commission still has excess funds available to assist with paying utility bills. In addition, the group does have additional assistance programs, including rent help and mortgage help. However, they did run out of money to help pay for rent, mortgage, security deposits, and utility deposits. They do expect additional federal funds though so that these programs can resume providing grants to those in need.
Applicants for any of these programs need to live in Davidson County and they must also meet other income guidelines and criteria. Call (615) 862-8860 to learn more or apply.
The federal government stimulus program will bring over $20 million to Tennessee, and the funds will be used to give short-term housing assistance to those who are about to be evicted, who are on the verge of homelessness and the money will also help the newly homeless rapidly get back into new housing in the midst of the nations economic crisis.
About $3.1 million will be provided to Nashville, and those funds should end up helping about 300 families and 200 individuals stay in their homes. The program is formally known as the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, and it is being run out of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency.
Across Tennessee, about 2,500 households, which represent about 5,200 people, will get rental help, according to the program administrator at the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
Unfortunately the money won't pay for mortgage payments, but it will pay for rent and utility deposits, back unpaid rent, moving costs, utility payments, motel vouchers, and rent for anywhere from three months to a year.
Like many programs, there is an income limit and other conditions, and families need to show that they can take over paying the rent and utilities once their stimulus money runs out, so this is not meant to be a charity program. Find additional programs for rent help.
Nine charities, organizations, and non profits in the Nashville area are helping carry out the program, including: Salvation Army ((615) 242-0411), Safe Haven, Woodbine Community Organization ((615) 833-9580), Operation Stand Down ((615) 248-1981), YWCA, Nashville CARES, Oasis Center and Campus for Human Development, and Renewal House.
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Additional rent assistance can be provided by.
St. Luke's Community House (350-1130) is an organization that helps about 15,000 people per year. The goal of St. Luke's is to provide solutions and resources for some of the key issues that challenge both the stability as well as the welfare of working and low income families. That's why the charity agency offers everything to people in need, from social activities for seniors, to rent assistance, to a day-care program that began in the 1930s. They also offer computer training and computer courses, English language and GED instruction, utility bill assistance, mobile meals, home repairs and tax preparation assistance. It also offers a food pantry and emergency utility, rent, and housing assistance.
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The Metro Action Commission and the Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency both have programs and can refer people to grants and ways to get direct financial assistance. The cash grants and funds are available to help people pay rent, utility bills, property taxes, rent and even their monthly mortgage. The funds can also be used to help prevent a foreclosure. For additional ways to get mortgage assistance.
A separate program can even offer access to grants to pay for some some medical costs, such as prescription drugs. There is a also special program for seniors. Davidson County residents need to contact the Metropolitan Action Commission, 1624 Fifth Ave. N., Nashville, 615-862-8860 to ask about the grants and referrals.
Another non-profit charity organization is Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc. It helps people in need regardless of their religion. Call them at (615) 352-3087. Some of the services they can offer include financial assistance and cash grants for paying utility bills and housing expenses, counseling, and emergency food aid.
The Salvation Army on Nashville helps over 10,000 people per year. The emergency assistance program provides qualified individuals with food, personal care items, clothing, household items and short-term financial help with paying for rent, housing and utility expenses. The emergency program also provides referrals and information for other needed social services and government assistance programs. The target population of the Salvation Army is low-income, unemployed and homeless families living in Davidson Tennessee as well as the surrounding counties, and those people facing crisis situations can also get help.
Yet another option is Old Hickory Christian Community Outreach. Phone number (615) 847-4996. Some of the services offered include Emergency Assistance for paying pay due utilities and also food aid.
Ladies of Charity Welfare Agency, Inc. ((615) 627-3430) also offers financial assistance for expenses such as utility and heating bills, medications, and they provide other aid.
Goodlettsville Help Center (phone (615) 859-4706) offers up to $250 lifetime assistance for utility bills to people in zip code 37072 only.
Big Brothers Of Nashville - Provides limited rent & utility bill assistance for needy families in Nashville and the surrounding area.
Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency (MDHA) - This non-profit agency runs the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP). Get help with rent, utility bills, and security deposits from this government funded program. (615) 2528574
North Nashville Outreach – North Nashville residents can receive assistance, primarily with electric bills. 2209 Buchanan St, Nashville, Tennessee 37208, (615) 242-1554
Millersville Hope Center – If you are faced with an eviction or utility disconnection, this non-profit may have emergency funding for a portion of expenses. 1246 Louisville Hwy, Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072, phone (615) 859-0880. Only supports the local community.
Rooftop Foundation – This non-profit focuses on offering rent or mortgage help, and funds for utility bills (if you are on Section 8 housing). Currently, at most $300 will be provided for paying rent or housing expenses, provided you meet other qualifications that are in place by this Davidson County non-profit agency. 3511 Gallatin Rd., Suite 202, Nashville, Tennessee 37216, dial (615) 541-9783
Nashville Cares – May be able to provide assistance with payment of monthly mortgage, rent, electric, gas and/or water bills. In addition, funds to pay utility or housing security deposits may be offered. Money is for people who have short-term financial needs. The financial assistance is primarily designed to assist HIV+ patients and families. 501 Brick Church Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37207, (615) 259-4866
H.U.G.G.S. Inspirational for Men and Women – The non-profit provides funds or direct aid for paying for medication, doctor visits, utility bills, medical supplies and equipment, food, clothing, and other basic household expenses. In addition, the organization offers information for uninsured ex-offenders for their different health care and medical needs. 1160 S. Gallatin Pike, Ste 204, Madison, TN 37115, dial (615) 727-6030
Find programs that are offered across Tennessee, Davidson County, and Nashville.
An agency that covers a wide area of Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, offers struggling people emergency food assistance in 46 different counties through more than 500 charity agencies and non-profit organizations. There are more than 15 locations to receive free food within Davidson County.
What they will provide is an emergency food box that gives people two to three days' worth of staple food items, based on the number of members in each household.
The boxes have many items in them, and they will contain nonperishable items such as canned vegetables, canned fruits, macaroni and cheese, canned meat, rice, peanut butter, cereal, crackers, and beans.
To learn more, call 615-329-3491 and Second Harvest can direct you to a nearby location. Find additional local and national charity organizations.
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The Metro Action Commission offers Davidson County Tennessee families and individuals energy bill assistance. This year the organization expect to receive record numbers of requests for heating assistance. The phone number is at the top of this page.
Thousands of people receive aid. During the last fiscal year ending on June 30, 2009, Metro Action received over 12,000 requests for energy assistance.
Applications for the program can be obtained at Nashville Electric Service, Metro Action Commission, or any branch of the local Nashville Public Library.
One of the first places to go to for help is the Interfaith Dental Clinic. The primary goal of the Nashville Tennessee based Interfaith Dental Clinic is help and improve the oral and dental health of the unemployed, uninsured, low-income, elderly, working people, and their children. They provide free or low cost dental services. Call them at (615) 329-4790.
United Neighborhood Health Services (615) 228-8902 is another clinic in Nashville that provides access to health care for the underprivileged, vulnerable and minority of Davidson County.
Other community clinics that provide low cost or free health care in the Nashville Tennessee area include Vine Hill Community Clinic ((615) 292-9770), Madison Family Clinic (dial (615) 425-3333), and the Southside Family Clinic (615) 726-1807.
A number of other non-profit and federal government qualified clinics operate in the county. They offer medications, free dental or medical care, and other aid. Find more clinics in Davidson County Tennessee.
The Legal Aid Society of Middle TN (dial (615) 244-6610) provides low income and other needy individuals with free legal advice and representation. They help with civic cases (such as free foreclosure advice) but not criminal law.
The following non-profits, charities, and other organization will aids low income people, the working poor and families to meet their food and nutritional needs. They include the Community Food Advocates - Davidson County (615) 385-2286, Christian Community Outreach (615) 847-4996, Nashville Cares ((800) 845-4266), and Edgehill Center (phone (615) 256-5108). Davidson County and Nashville have about 90 other food banks in the region. More on Davidson and Nashville food pantries.
Also learn about the government food stamp program (click here for more on SNAP).
Servus CDC ((615) 865-9737) provides help to low income homeowners in Davidson and Nashville who are facing a foreclosure.
Residential Resources, Inc. (phone (615) 650-9779) provides assistance for home owners with mortgage default or facing foreclosure. People with excessive debt can also receive debt counseling or access to debt management plans. Counselor can even advise people on such programs as debt arbitration.
Other non-profits that offer resources include Citizens for Affordable Housing (phone (615) 361-9101) and Woodbine Community ((615) 833-9580).
There are a few additional programs that are specific to the Nashville area. Click here to learn more on these services and resources.
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