Open year-round: THDA Homeownership for Heroes now includes full-time K-12 teachers. Take the two-minute check
Am I eligible?

Nashville-Davidson County

The Housing Fund Community Land Trust: a lower price on a Nashville home

First-time, mortgage-ready buyers at or below 80% of Nashville-Davidson area median income can buy a house at a reduced price because the land stays in a trust and is leased to them.

The Housing Fund Community Land Trust

Open now

Nashville-Davidson County

For
First-time, mortgage-ready buyers at or below 80% of Nashville AMI
How much
Reduced price - land held in trust and leased; buyer owns the house
Income cap
80% of Nashville-Davidson AMI
First-timers only?
Yes
Fine print
Pre-approval from a THF lending partner; homebuyer education and financial counseling; primary residence; $600 processing fee at closing; resale restrictions

Running prequalified list served first-come, first-served.

Checked against the source November 2026 · how we check

Could I use this?

How a land trust lowers the price

Instead of handing you cash, a community land trust takes the land out of the price. The Housing Fund, which set up the trust with the Metropolitan Housing Trust Fund Commission, holds the land and leases it to you. You own the house on top of it. Because you are not paying for the lot, the price is lower than the open market. In exchange, the home carries resale restrictions that keep it affordable for the next buyer, so you give up some of the upside when you sell.

Who it serves

  • First-time buyers who are already mortgage-ready.
  • Household income at or below 80% of the Nashville-Davidson AMI.
  • Pre-approval from a THF lending partner.
  • Homebuyer education and financial counseling.
  • The home must be your primary residence.

THF keeps a running list of prequalified buyers and serves it first-come, first-served, so getting on the list early matters. Expect a $600 processing fee at closing.

How it compares with THDA help

Davidson County's THDA income limit is $139,320 for one or two people, far above the land trust's 80% line. A Metro Nashville Public Schools teacher or Nashville Fire Department firefighter with a smaller household income may fit both. The land trust cuts the price; Homeownership for Heroes cuts the rate and adds down payment help. Whether a THDA loan can be used on a land trust home is not stated, so a participating lender confirms whether they combine. We found no separate Metro Nashville government buyer program, which makes THF the main local option; read the Davidson County guide.

Read the lease closely: the ground lease and resale rules set what you can sell the home for later. Ask THF to explain how that price is figured, and have a real estate attorney or housing counselor review them with you. The trade-off is lower cost now for a smaller share of appreciation later, which suits buyers who plan to stay for years.

Joining the list

  1. Get pre-approved with one of THF's lending partners.
  2. Complete homebuyer education and counseling.
  3. Submit your prequalification so you join THF's list.
  4. Review the ground lease and resale rules before you accept a home.

New to the process? Start with first-time buyer steps, and check your eligibility.

Counties we cover that it serves: Davidson County

Questions about The Housing Fund Community Land Trust

Do I own my home in a community land trust?

You own the house. The Housing Fund keeps the land in trust and leases it to you, and the home has resale restrictions.

What is the income limit for the Nashville land trust?

80% of Nashville-Davidson County area median income, and you must be a first-time buyer.

Are there fees for the land trust?

Yes. The Housing Fund charges a $600 processing fee at closing.

Could I use this program?

Other programs worth a look

Summarized from the program's official page as of November 2026. Money and rules change, so check current terms with the program or a lender who takes part. Tennessee Down Payment Assistance has no connection to this program.