History of The Tenant Screening Protections Project
Tennessee’s tenant screening protections project grew out of a statewide collaboration led by Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM) and the Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project to address unfair tenant screening practices and expand housing access across Tennessee. After participating in Unlocked: Opening the Door to Housing Access Through Tenant Screening Protections—an eight-week national Solutions Sprint hosted by Results for America and partner organizations—the team built a 20-person campaign focused on public education, community-informed research, advocacy with state and local leaders, and the development of a policy agenda for tenant screening protections.
Results for America is a national nonprofit that helps governments and community partners use data, evidence, and community expertise to improve public policy. It created the Unlocked: Opening the Door to Housing Access Through Tenant Screening Protections Solutions Sprint to support teams across the country in designing fair tenant screening policies. For Tennessee, this support helped Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM) and the Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project sharpen their strategy for a coordinated, statewide campaign to advance tenant screening protections.
Statewide Partners
This project is powered by a diverse coalition of organizations from across Tennessee, including clergy networks, community development groups, refugee resettlement services, fair housing advocates, public interest lawyers, and grassroots member-led organizations. Together, these partners represent both rural and urban communities across the state and bring deep experience in housing justice, legal advocacy, civic engagement, and community organizing, ensuring that tenant screening protections are shaped by those most affected and grounded in the broader struggle for equity and dignity in Tennessee.
A nonprofit collaboration between Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis (BCCM) and Memphis Public Interest Law Center (MPILC) that supports those experiencing housing insecurity through education, organizing, and storytelling.
A coalition of clergy and organizations advocating for social justice and equity across Tennessee, specifically in areas such as criminal justice reform, education, healthcare, and civic engagement.
A community development association that supports self-sufficient neighborhoods by strengthening its members, advocating for equitable policies, and activating civic engagement.
An organization dedicated to ensuring fair and equitable housing through education, research, and advocacy, focusing on eliminating illegal barriers to housing access.
An organization aimed at raising political literacy and engagement in underserved communities through creative activism training, holistic programming, and the arts.
A 53-year-old, member-led organization dedicated to empowering Tennesseans by training local leaders and sustaining locally rooted membership organizations. Members work toward a Tennessee where all people are treated with dignity, the environment is protected, and corporations and officials are held accountable.
An alliance of clergy members working to reverse economic inequality and promote social justice within Memphis.
An organization providing opportunities for refugees to rebuild their lives in East Tennessee. They offer case management, cultural orientation, and employment support to help clients achieve self-sufficiency.
A public interest law firm addressing gaps in legal services. Its Housing Project focuses on the local rental housing crisis through research, education, and advocacy.