Section 8 in Hamilton County, TN
3,919 active Housing Choice Vouchers in Hamilton County, 85% utilized. 1 housing authority serve this county. Voucher data as of 2026.
Section 8 payment standards in Hamilton County (FY2026)
HUD-published metro FMR for FY2026. Payment standards, the amount a PHA actually pays, are set between 90% and 110% of FMR at each PHA's discretion.
| Bedrooms | FMR | Payment standard (90 to 110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency (studio) | $1,211 | $1,090 to $1,332 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,263 | $1,137 to $1,389 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,390 | $1,251 to $1,529 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,734 | $1,561 to $1,907 |
| 4-bedroom | $1,853 | $1,668 to $2,038 |
Example: at 100% of FMR, a 2-bedroom voucher in Hamilton County covers up to $1,390 in gross rent, before the tenant's utility allowance. Across the full range a PHA may set: $1,251 to $1,529.
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Hamilton County?
Yes. Tennessee law blocks local governments from requiring voucher acceptance, so landlords in Hamilton County can legally decline Section 8 applicants. Listing on a voucher-friendly marketplace is the fastest way to find the landlords who do accept.
Tennessee has no source-of-income protection
Tennessee has NO statewide source-of-income protection. The state legislature has been aggressive about preempting local anti-discrimination measures. Landlords can legally decline voucher applicants. Voucher tenants remain a solid financial option — guaranteed monthly rent, often above local market — but the choice is voluntary.
View statute →Informational only, not legal advice. Laws change, so verify current status before acting on a rejection or making a leasing decision.
Hamilton County in the Chattanooga metro
Hamilton County is one of the counties inside the Chattanooga, TN core-based statistical area. The metro-level view aggregates voucher activity across every housing authority in the CBSA.
See Chattanooga metro rent limits and PHA breakdown →Housing authorities serving Hamilton County
Each PHA sets its own payment standard, runs its own waitlist, and does its own inspections. The PHA whose jurisdiction covers a unit's ZIP is the one both tenant and landlord will deal with.
Chattanooga Housing Authority
Chattanooga · PHA code TN004
3,919 Section 8 units
Section 8 rent by ZIP in Hamilton County
Hamilton County is in a Small Area FMR metro, so HUD publishes a separate rent limit for each ZIP (FY2026). The 2-bedroom figure is shown; each ZIP page has the full bedroom table.
Find Section 8 apartments in Hamilton County
VoucherMatch connects voucher holders with landlords who accept Section 8, and it is free for renters. Landlords: listings here reach applicants whose voucher already covers the rent above.
Other Tennessee counties
Voucher counts aggregated from HUD PHA jurisdiction data. Population 367,193 · FIPS 47065.