MDHA draft tenant plan describes lottery waiting list, 500-applicant closing trigger

NASHVILLE - The draft Tenant Selection Plan that the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency posted for public comment would fill waiting lists by lottery rather than by application time, according to the draft PDF on MDHA's website. The document is labeled "Rev. Oct. 2026."

Under the draft, eligible applicants who apply during an open window enter a randomized electronic lottery, and application time does not affect placement. Single adults 62 or older and single adults with a disability would rank equally ahead of other applicants. MDHA's Oct. 1 notice says that preference applies only to its tower properties: Edgefield Manor, Vine Hill Studio Apartments and Gernert Studio Apartments. The draft says MDHA may close a bedroom-size waiting list if it exceeds 500 applicants, and applicants must update contact information every six months or be removed.

The draft's introduction still contains unfilled placeholders such as "[Property Name]." The document does not say what differs from the current plan. Comments are due by 4 p.m. CDT Oct. 30.

Source: MDHA, draft Tenant Selection Plan (PDF, rev. Oct. 2026), https://www.nashville-mdha.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MDHA-TSP-10.2026-Final-Draft-for-web.pdf