Section 8 in Knox County, TN

5,098 active Housing Choice Vouchers in Knox County, 73% utilized. 2 housing authorities serve this county. Voucher data as of 2026.

Active vouchers
5,098
Occupied
3,703
73% utilized
Housing authorities
2
serving this county
Voucher protection
State preempts
Tennessee has no source-of-income protection

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Knox County?

Yes. Tennessee law blocks local governments from requiring voucher acceptance, so landlords in Knox 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.

Knox County in the Knoxville metro

Metro vouchers
6,106
Metro utilization
75%
Type
MSA
CBSA 28940

Knox County is one of the counties inside the Knoxville, TN core-based statistical area. The metro-level view aggregates voucher activity across every housing authority in the CBSA.

See Knoxville metro rent limits and PHA breakdown →

Housing authorities serving Knox 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.

  • Knoxville'S Community Development Corp.

    Knoxville · PHA code TN003

    4,251 Section 8 units
  • East Tennessee Human Resource Agency

    Knoxville · PHA code TN113

    847 Section 8 units

Section 8 rent by ZIP in Knox County

Knox 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 Knox 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 481,406 · FIPS 47093.