Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) / Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) – A smaller secondary housing unit located on the same property as a primary home. A DADU is a detached version, sometimes called a backyard cottage or granny flat.

Affordability Index – A tool used to measure whether typical households can afford to buy a home in a specific area. It compares local incomes to home prices and mortgage costs.

Affordable Housing / Affordable Households – Housing is considered affordable when a household spends no more than 30% of its income on rent or mortgage payments and utilities. Affordable housing programs often serve households earning below the Area Median Income (AMI).

Anti-Displacement Strategies – Policies and programs designed to help residents remain in their communities as neighborhoods grow or redevelop.

Area Median Income (AMI) – The midpoint income for households in a region, calculated annually by HUD. Half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less. AMI is commonly used to determine eligibility for affordable housing programs.

Assisted Housing – Housing that receives financial support from local, state, or federal government programs to help keep rents or housing costs affordable.

Barnes Housing Trust Fund – Nashville’s primary local affordable housing fund, used to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing through grants and loans to nonprofit and private developers.

Choice Neighborhoods – A federal HUD program that helps redevelop distressed housing and surrounding neighborhoods into safer, mixed-income communities with better housing, transportation, schools, and amenities.

Community Development Corporation (CDC) – A nonprofit organization that works to improve neighborhoods through housing, economic development, community services, and other local revitalization efforts.

Community Land Trust (CLT) – A nonprofit organization that owns land to help preserve long-term housing affordability while allowing residents to own or rent homes on the land.

Complete Communities – Planning approaches that support walkable neighborhoods with access to housing, transportation, jobs, healthcare, parks, and schools.

Density Bonus – A zoning incentive that allows developers to build more housing units than normally permitted if they include affordable housing or another public benefit.

Down Payment Assistance – Programs that help homebuyers cover upfront homebuying costs such as down payments and closing costs through grants, forgivable loans, or low-interest loans.

Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (Equitable TOD) – Development near public transit that intentionally includes affordable housing, accessible transportation, community services, and opportunities for residents of different income levels.

Eviction Diversion Program – Programs that help tenants and landlords resolve disputes and avoid formal eviction proceedings.

Eviction Prevention – Programs and policies that help tenants avoid losing their housing through financial assistance, legal aid, mediation, or supportive services.

Fair Market Rent (FMR) – The estimated rent set annually by HUD for typical rental housing in a region. FMR is often used to determine voucher amounts and affordable housing rent limits.

Homelessness – A condition in which a person or family does not have a stable, safe, and adequate place to live.

Homestead Exemption – A property tax benefit available to eligible homeowners that reduces the taxable value of their primary residence.

Households – All people living together in a housing unit, whether related or unrelated.

Housing Cost Burden – When a household spends more than 30% of its income on housing costs such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, and taxes.

Housing Insecurity – Difficulty maintaining stable housing because of high housing costs, overcrowding, unsafe conditions, or risk of eviction.

Housing Preservation – Efforts to maintain and protect existing affordable housing units from deterioration, conversion, or displacement.

Housing Stability – The ability of a household to consistently afford and remain in safe, stable housing without risk of displacement or homelessness.

Housing Supply Gap – The difference between the number of housing units available and the number needed to meet demand at different income levels.

Incentive Zoning – Local zoning policies that allow developers additional flexibility, such as increased height or density, in exchange for public benefits like affordable housing.

Inclusionary Zoning – Policies that require or encourage developers to include affordable housing units within new residential developments.

Income Quintiles – A way of dividing households into five equal groups based on income levels, from lowest income to highest income.

Infrastructure Development District (IDD) - A designated area where new development is coordinated with the construction or improvement of public infrastructure needed to support growth, such as roads, sidewalks, water and sewer lines, stormwater systems, parks, or other public facilities.

Land Use Restriction Agreement (LURA) – A legal agreement that ensures affordable housing units remain affordable for a specific period of time, even if ownership changes.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) – A federal program that encourages developers to build or renovate affordable rental housing through tax credits. In Tennessee, the program is administered by THDA.

Low-Income Households – Households earning below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), according to HUD guidelines.

Maximum Rents – The highest rent allowed for an affordable housing unit under a specific housing program.

Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) – Nashville’s public housing and community development agency, which administers affordable housing programs, housing vouchers, redevelopment projects, and local housing initiatives.

Missing Middle Housing – Housing types between single-family homes and large apartment buildings, such as duplexes, triplexes, cottage courts, and townhomes.

Mixed-Income Communities – Neighborhoods or developments that include housing options for people with a variety of income levels.

Moderate-Income Households – Households earning approximately 80% to 120% of Area Median Income.

Nashville Catalyst Fund – A local housing initiative that supports affordable and workforce housing development through public-private investment partnerships.

Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) – Older housing that remains relatively affordable without government subsidy, often at risk of redevelopment or rising rents.

Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) – A neighborhood or housing development where a large share of residents are older adults, even though the area was not originally designed as senior housing.

Non-Family Households – People living alone or living together without being related.

Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) – An agreement that reduces or phases property taxes for a development project in exchange for public benefits such as affordable housing or job creation.

Permanent Supportive Housing – Long-term affordable housing combined with supportive services for individuals or families experiencing chronic homelessness or disabilities.

Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) – Rental assistance tied to specific housing units rather than individual tenants. Eligible residents receive reduced rents while living in participating properties.

Public Housing – Housing owned or managed by a public housing authority and subsidized to serve low-income residents.

Redevelopment District - A designated area where a local government encourages improvements, new investment, or revitalization because the area may have aging buildings, underused property, infrastructure needs, or economic challenges.

Rent-Burdened Households – Households spending more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities.

Renter by Choice – A household that rents housing because it better fits their lifestyle, mobility, or financial preferences.

Renter by Necessity – A household that rents because homeownership is financially out of reach or impractical.

Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher Program – A federal rental assistance program that helps low-income households afford housing in the private market. Participants generally pay about 30% of their income toward rent.

Senior Housing – Housing designed for older adults, typically age 55 or older, often including accessibility features and supportive services.

Source of Income Discrimination – The refusal to rent housing to someone because they use housing vouchers or other lawful income sources.

Special Needs Housing – Housing designed for people who may need additional services or accommodations, including older adults, people with disabilities, or people experiencing medical or behavioral health challenges.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) – A redevelopment financing tool that uses future increases in property tax revenue to fund infrastructure and development projects.

Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) – Tennessee’s state housing finance agency, which administers affordable housing programs, mortgage assistance, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) – Compact, walkable development located near public transportation and designed to support housing, businesses, and community amenities.

Underwater Homeowner – A homeowner who owes more on their mortgage than the current market value of their home.

Urban Design Overlay (UDO) – A special set of rules added to an existing zoning district to guide how new buildings, streets, signs, landscaping, and public spaces look and function in a particular area.

Very Low-Income Households – Households earning below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), according to HUD guidelines.

Vouchers – Rental assistance provided through the Housing Choice Voucher program to help low-income households afford housing in the private market.

Workforce Housing – Housing that is affordable to middle-income workers such as teachers, healthcare workers, service workers, and first responders who may not qualify for traditional affordable housing assistance.

Zoning Overlay – Additional zoning rules applied to a specific area to guide development, preserve neighborhood character, support affordable housing, or achieve other planning goals.