National Housing Trust Fund
About the National Housing Trust Fund
The National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) is a federal program administered in the State of Tennessee by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) Multifamily Development Division to provide funding for the production, preservation, rehabilitation, and operation of affordable rental housing for extremely low income (ELI) households. ELI is defined as earning no more than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or the federal poverty limit for the county in which the housing is located.
NHTF loans are awarded through a competitive application process in conjunction with low income housing tax credits. Applications for the NHTF program are accepted concurrent with and as a part of an application for Competitive LIHTC, and are targeted towards proposals for permanent Supportive Housing and proposals for multifamily housing in Rural Counties. Eligible recipients are local public housing authorities and non-profit organizations. There is a 30-year affordability period requirement.
The National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) was established under Title I of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) of 2008, Section 1131 (Public Law 110-289). Section 1131 of HERA amended the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) (Act) to add a new section 1337, entitled "Affordable Housing Allocation" and a new section 1338, entitled "Housing Trust Fund."
This program is governed by Title 24 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 91 and 93; Interim Rule. Those regulations are incorporated by reference into the Program Descriptions provided below.
2025 National Housing Trust Fund
2024 National Housing Trust Fund
2023 National Housing Trust Fund
2023 NHTF Award Matrix
2023 NHTF Program Description
2022 National Housing Trust Fund
2022 National Housing Trust Fund Program Description
2022 National Housing Trust Fund Matrix
Access the Library of Forms needed to administer the NHTF Program
Program Manual
Chapter 1 - General Program Requirements
Chapter 2 - Financial Management
Chapter 3 - Procurement
Chapter 4 - Relocation and Displacement
Chapter 5 - Acquisition
Chapter 6 - Fair Housing
Chapter 7 - Environmental Review
Chapter 8 - Rental Housing
Chapter 9 - Lead-Based Paint
Standards and Limits
Design Standards
Environmental Provisions Checklist : New Construction
Environmental Provisions Checklist : Rehabilitation
THDA UPCS Checklist
2024-2025 NHTF Homeownership Sales Limits
NHTF Income Limits
NHTF Rent Limits
Resource Links
National Housing Trust Fund Environmental Provisions
National Housing Trust Fund Interim Rule
State Diversity Directory
CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements; Procurement
24 CFR Part 35; Lead Based Hazards
Program Tutorials
National Housing Trust Fund Environmental Reviews Tutorial
Covers the Environmental Review requirements and processes for the National Housing Trust Fund
Reference Material
HUD AFHMP Form
Subrecipient Self Assess Survey Form
Compliant NHTF Procurement
Covers the procurement requirements of the NHTF program, including such topics as: risks of noncompliance, procurement standards, conflicts of interest, procurement methods, limits, and resources for further information.
Need more information?
Please contact Eric Alexander at (615) 815-2160 or at EAlexander@thda.org.