What Is a Local YAAB Chapter — and Why Does It Matter?

Before diving into which cities have a local YAAB chapter, it helps to understand what a chapter actually is and why it exists. The Youth Action Board (YAAB) of Tennessee is a statewide network, but it operates through local chapters tied to each of Tennessee’s Continuum of Care (CoC) regions. Think of it like a franchise of youth power — same mission, same values, rooted in local communities across the state.

Each local chapter gives young adults a structured, respected seat at the table where housing and service decisions get made. That’s not a small thing. It means young people in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and beyond aren’t just receiving services — they’re shaping them.

YAAB Is Peer-Led, Not Program-Run

A lot of youth-serving organizations are designed for young people but run by adults. YAAB flips that. Every local chapter is led by young adults ages 17 to 25 who have personally experienced homelessness or housing instability — people who know the system from the inside, not from a desk. That lived experience is treated as expertise, not a deficit.

Members advise their local Continuum of Care (CoC) — the regional network of shelters, housing programs, and service providers — on what’s actually working and what needs to change. That means your voice can directly shape how resources get distributed in your city or county.

What the Continuum of Care Has to Do With It

Tennessee is divided into eight federally recognized Continuum of Care regions, each identified by a code (TN-500 through TN-509). These regions receive federal HUD funding to address homelessness, and each one is required to engage people with lived experience in its planning process. Local YAABs are how Tennessee’s transition-age youth fulfill that role — officially and powerfully.

Each CoC region covers a different geographic area, from major metro cities to rural counties. Understanding which CoC covers your area is the first step to finding your local YAAB chapter and knowing who your regional advocates are.

1. Memphis and Shelby County — TN-500

Memphis is home to Tennessee’s largest Continuum of Care region and one of the most active local YAAB chapters in the state. Young adults here are tackling some of the toughest housing challenges in Tennessee — and doing it with real authority inside the CoC system.

Who TN-500 Serves

TN-500 is the Continuum of Care region covering Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee’s largest city and most populous county. The Memphis metro area has one of the highest rates of youth homelessness in the state, making the local YAAB chapter here especially critical. Young adults navigating homelessness in Memphis are dealing with a housing market that has seen rents rise more than 30% since 2020, making stable housing harder to access without support.

The TN-500 YAAB chapter connects Memphis-area youth to local CoC partners, emergency shelters, rapid rehousing programs, and employment pathways — all while amplifying their voices in regional planning meetings.

Getting Connected in Memphis

If you’re a young adult in Memphis or Shelby County ages 17 to 25 with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability, the TN-500 YAAB chapter is your local entry point into statewide advocacy. Members participate in monthly meetings, help design outreach campaigns, and provide feedback on how programs like Rapid Rehousing and Transitional Housing are working on the ground.

You don’t need a résumé, a degree, or any prior advocacy experience to join. Your experience living through housing instability is exactly what qualifies you. Learn more about the Memphis chapter at the TN-500 local YAAB page.

2. Nashville and Davidson County — TN-501

Tennessee’s capital city and economic hub, Nashville is also home to the TN-501 Continuum of Care — one of the most resource-rich but also most competitive housing markets in the state for young adults. The local YAAB chapter here is a powerful voice inside a fast-moving city.

Nashville's Rapid Growth and Youth Housing Pressure

Nashville has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States for over a decade, with the metro population growing by more than 100,000 people between 2015 and 2023. That growth has driven median rents up sharply — the average one-bedroom apartment in Nashville now costs over $1,500 per month, putting stable housing far out of reach for many transition-age youth earning minimum wage or navigating the job market for the first time.

The TN-501 YAAB chapter operates within this high-pressure environment, working with Davidson County’s CoC to ensure young adults’ needs aren’t buried under the noise of a booming city economy.

What Nashville YAAB Members Do

Nashville YAAB members sit on CoC committees, participate in Point-in-Time counts (the annual census of people experiencing homelessness), and advise local providers on how to make services more accessible and less stigmatizing for youth. They’ve helped push for youth-specific shelter beds, better outreach to LGBTQ+ youth — who make up an estimated 40% of youth experiencing homelessness nationally — and clearer pathways from shelter to permanent housing.

If you’re in Nashville or Davidson County and want to get involved, the TN-501 chapter is actively recruiting members. Explore the TN-501 local YAAB page to learn how to connect.

3. Knoxville and Knox County — TN-502

Knoxville and Knox County anchor TN-502, East Tennessee’s Continuum of Care region. The local YAAB chapter here bridges urban and rural needs, advocating for young adults across a wide geographic area where transportation and access to services can be as big a barrier as housing costs themselves.

East Tennessee's Hub for Youth Advocacy

Knoxville serves as the anchor city for TN-502, the Continuum of Care covering Knox County and the surrounding East Tennessee area. Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee, which brings a large student population — but also a significant number of young adults who age out of foster care or experience housing instability without the safety net of family support.

The TN-502 YAAB chapter works closely with local organizations like Volunteer Ministry Center and other CoC partners to make sure youth voices are heard in funding decisions and program design. East Tennessee’s rural geography also means the chapter advocates for transportation access and remote service options that can reach youth outside the city core.

Aging Out of Foster Care in Knox County

Knox County has a significant population of young adults aging out of the foster care system — a group that faces a dramatically higher risk of homelessness than their peers. Nationally, about 20% of youth who age out of foster care experience homelessness within two years. The TN-502 YAAB chapter specifically centers the voices of foster care alumni, helping shape local policies around extended foster care, transitional housing, and the Chafee Independent Living program.

If you’re in Knoxville or Knox County and have lived experience of homelessness or foster care, the TN-502 chapter wants to hear from you. Visit the TN-502 local YAAB page for details.

4. Chattanooga and Hamilton County — TN-503

Chattanooga and Hamilton County make up the TN-503 Continuum of Care region in Southeast Tennessee. The local YAAB chapter here operates at the crossroads of rapid urban change and persistent youth housing need — a tension that makes their advocacy work both urgent and complex.

A Growing City With Growing Youth Needs

Chattanooga has undergone a dramatic economic transformation over the past 15 years, evolving from a struggling post-industrial city into a tech and tourism destination. But economic revitalization doesn’t automatically lift all boats — and for transition-age youth experiencing homelessness in Hamilton County, the gap between the city’s new prosperity and their daily reality can feel enormous.

The TN-503 YAAB chapter works within this context, pushing for youth-centered housing solutions and making sure that Chattanooga’s growth story includes young adults who have experienced housing instability, not just those who arrived with resources.

Cross-State Connections and Advocacy

Chattanooga’s location at the intersection of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama gives TN-503 a unique regional perspective. Young adults in the Chattanooga area sometimes cross state lines for services, work, or family connections — which means the local YAAB chapter has to think about advocacy that extends beyond Tennessee’s borders when it comes to issues like Medicaid coverage, employment verification, and school enrollment rights.

TN-503 members bring that cross-regional awareness to statewide YAAB conversations, enriching the policy work with perspectives that purely urban or rural chapters may not encounter. Find out more at the TN-503 local YAAB page.

5. Jackson and West Tennessee — TN-504

Jackson serves as the hub for TN-504, the Continuum of Care covering West Tennessee. This region’s mix of small cities and rural counties creates unique challenges for young adults experiencing homelessness — and the local YAAB chapter is built to address those challenges head-on.

Serving Rural and Small-City Youth

TN-504 covers Jackson and the broader West Tennessee region — a mix of small cities, agricultural communities, and rural counties where youth homelessness often looks different than it does in major metros. In rural West Tennessee, young adults experiencing housing instability are more likely to be couch-surfing with relatives or friends (a form of hidden homelessness) than sleeping in a shelter, because shelter options are far more limited outside of Jackson itself.

The TN-504 YAAB chapter advocates for resources and programs that recognize and respond to rural homelessness — including mobile outreach, transportation assistance, and flexible service models that don’t require a young person to travel 50 miles to access help.

Employment and Education in West Tennessee

West Tennessee’s economy is heavily tied to agriculture, logistics, and manufacturing — industries that can offer stable employment but often require transportation and reliable housing to access. The TN-504 YAAB chapter works with local CoC partners to connect young adults to GED programs, vocational training, and employment pathways that fit the regional job market.

Members also advocate for better coordination between the education system, child welfare, and housing providers — because in rural areas, the distance between agencies can mean young adults fall through the cracks entirely. Visit the TN-504 local YAAB page to learn more about getting involved in West Tennessee.

6. Upper Cumberland — TN-506

The Upper Cumberland region, anchored by Cookeville, is home to TN-506 — a Continuum of Care that serves a wide swath of Middle Tennessee’s plateau communities. The local YAAB chapter here is doing some of the most important work in the state: making youth homelessness visible in places where it’s been invisible for too long.

A Region Often Overlooked

The Upper Cumberland region — centered around Cookeville and covering Putnam County and surrounding areas — is one of Tennessee’s most economically diverse CoC regions. It includes small cities, mountain communities, and rural stretches where youth homelessness is significantly undercounted because visible street homelessness is rare. Instead, young adults here are more likely to be living in unsafe conditions, overcrowded homes, or moving between relatives’ couches — all forms of housing instability that qualify as homelessness under federal HUD definitions.

The TN-506 YAAB chapter is working to change how homelessness is counted and addressed in this region, pushing for more accurate data collection and more responsive local services.

Building Advocacy Capacity in Smaller Communities

One of the most important things the TN-506 chapter does is build advocacy capacity in communities that don’t have a long history of youth-led organizing. Members learn public speaking, policy analysis, and community outreach skills — tools that serve them long after their time with YAAB. For many Upper Cumberland youth, YAAB is their first experience being taken seriously as a voice in public decision-making.

That empowerment ripples outward: YAAB alumni from the Upper Cumberland region have gone on to work in social services, run for local office, and mentor the next wave of young advocates. Check out the TN-506 local YAAB page for more information.

7. Northeast Tennessee — TN-507

Northeast Tennessee’s TN-507 region spans the Tri-Cities metro and the rural Appalachian counties surrounding it. The local YAAB chapter here is navigating some of the most complex intersections of poverty, geography, and trauma in the state — and doing it with the clarity that only lived experience can bring.

Tri-Cities and Surrounding Counties

TN-507 covers Northeast Tennessee, including the Tri-Cities metro area — Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol — along with surrounding rural counties stretching toward the Virginia border. This region has some of the highest poverty rates in Tennessee, and young adults here face a combination of limited housing stock, scarce public transportation, and fewer youth-specific services than their counterparts in larger cities.

The TN-507 YAAB chapter works to bridge those gaps, advocating for increased investment in youth housing and services in a region that has historically been underserved by state and federal programs.

Opioid Crisis and Youth Homelessness in Northeast TN

Northeast Tennessee has been one of the hardest-hit regions in the state by the opioid epidemic, which has had a cascading effect on youth homelessness. Many young adults in TN-507’s coverage area have experienced family disruption, foster care placement, or housing instability directly linked to a parent’s or caregiver’s substance use disorder. The TN-507 YAAB chapter advocates for trauma-informed services and peer support programs that acknowledge this reality without stigmatizing the young people who’ve lived it.

Members of the Northeast Tennessee chapter have been vocal in regional CoC meetings about the need for more mental health resources, peer recovery support, and housing options that don’t require sobriety as a condition of entry. Learn more at the TN-507 local YAAB page.

Tennessee's 8 Local YAAB Chapters at a Glance

Each of Tennessee's eight Continuum of Care regions has its own local YAAB chapter with a distinct geographic focus and set of community priorities. Use this table to quickly find the chapter closest to you.

8. Southeast Tennessee — TN-509

TN-509 rounds out Tennessee’s eight Continuum of Care regions, covering Southeast Tennessee’s mix of small cities and rural communities. The local YAAB chapter here proves that youth-led advocacy is just as powerful — and just as needed — outside the state’s major metros.

A Region Bridging Urban and Rural Needs

TN-509 covers Southeast Tennessee, a region that includes smaller cities and rural counties in the southeastern corner of the state. Like other non-metro CoC regions in Tennessee, TN-509 faces the dual challenge of limited shelter infrastructure and high rates of hidden homelessness among young adults. Couch-surfing, doubling up with family, and staying in unsafe or overcrowded housing are the most common forms of homelessness in this region — and they’re the hardest to count and address.

The TN-509 YAAB chapter advocates for housing solutions that fit the region’s realities, including scattered-site housing models, host home programs, and flexible rental assistance that can work in communities without large shelter systems.

Youth Leadership in Smaller CoC Regions

Smaller CoC regions like TN-509 sometimes have fewer resources than their metro counterparts, which makes youth leadership even more essential. When young adults with lived experience are at the table, they help CoC planners prioritize limited dollars toward the interventions that actually work — rather than defaulting to one-size-fits-all approaches designed for larger urban systems.

TN-509 YAAB members have demonstrated that peer leadership isn’t a luxury for well-resourced regions — it’s a necessity for any CoC that wants to spend its HUD dollars effectively and equitably. Visit the TN-509 local YAAB page to connect with the Southeast Tennessee chapter.

How All 8 Chapters Connect: The Statewide YAAB Network

The eight local YAAB chapters across Tennessee aren’t operating in isolation — they’re part of a deliberate statewide network designed to amplify youth voices at every level of the housing and homelessness system. Understanding how the chapters connect helps you see why joining your local chapter matters beyond your own city or county.

Shared Mission, Local Roots

While each local YAAB chapter is tied to its own CoC region and responds to local conditions, all eight chapters are connected through the statewide Youth Action Board of Tennessee network. That connection means a young adult in Cookeville can learn from advocacy strategies developed in Memphis, and a chapter in Northeast Tennessee can draw on policy wins achieved in Nashville.

The statewide network meets regularly — both virtually and in person — to share resources, coordinate advocacy campaigns, and build relationships across regions. This peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is one of YAAB’s greatest strengths: it means no chapter has to reinvent the wheel, and every member benefits from the collective experience of young adults across Tennessee.

Statewide Policy Wins Driven by Local Voices

Because all eight chapters feed into the statewide YAAB structure, local advocacy has statewide reach. When YAAB members from multiple regions identify the same barrier — say, a gap in how Tennessee counts youth experiencing homelessness, or a policy that makes it harder for 18-year-olds aging out of foster care to access housing assistance — that unified voice carries real weight with state-level decision-makers.

YAAB has contributed to policy conversations around Tennessee’s Consolidated Plan, HUD funding priorities, and the design of youth-specific housing programs. That’s the power of connecting eight local chapters into one statewide movement. Learn more about YAAB’s advocacy work at the YAAB advocacy page.

What It's Actually Like to Be a YAAB Member

If you’re considering joining a local YAAB chapter but aren’t sure what it actually involves, here’s a ground-level look at what membership looks like — from the practical to the personal. This is peer-to-peer work, which means it’s built around real life, not an idealized version of it.

What Members Do Day to Day

Being a YAAB member isn’t just attending meetings — though meetings are part of it. Members participate in CoC planning sessions, review and give feedback on local housing program designs, help plan community outreach events, and sometimes testify at public hearings or present to local government bodies. Some members take on leadership roles within their chapter, coordinating peer outreach or representing their region at statewide convenings.

The time commitment varies by chapter and by member — some people are deeply involved, others participate when they can. YAAB is designed to meet young adults where they are, not demand a fixed schedule that ignores the realities of working, going to school, or navigating housing instability yourself.

Skills You Build as a YAAB Member

Members consistently report gaining skills they didn’t expect: public speaking, policy analysis, facilitation, data literacy, and professional networking. Many YAAB alumni have used those skills to land jobs in social services, education, and government. Others have used them to advocate for themselves — knowing how to navigate a housing system, appeal a decision, or connect to the right resource is knowledge that pays dividends for life.

YAAB also provides stipends or compensation for member participation in many regions, recognizing that young adults’ time and expertise have real value. The specific structure varies by chapter, so check with your local YAAB for details on how members are supported.

Find Your Local YAAB and Take the Next Step

You’ve read about all eight local YAAB chapters across Tennessee. Now the most important question is: what’s your next move? Whether you’re looking for peer support, want to shape housing policy in your city, or just want to be around other young adults who get it — your local YAAB chapter is the place to start.

You Don't Have to Have It All Figured Out

One of the most common things that keeps young adults from reaching out to their local YAAB chapter is the feeling that they’re not ready — that they need to be more stable, more articulate, or more experienced before they can contribute. That’s not how YAAB works. Your experience right now, wherever you are in your housing journey, is exactly what the organization needs. Stability is not a prerequisite for advocacy — in fact, advocating while you’re still navigating the system often makes the work more powerful and more accurate.

If you’re ages 17 to 25 and have experienced homelessness or housing instability in Tennessee — even if it was couch-surfing, staying in a shelter briefly, or living in an unsafe situation — you qualify to be part of your local YAAB chapter.

How to Connect With Your Chapter Today

The easiest way to find and connect with your local YAAB chapter is to visit the YAAB local chapters page, where you can find information about all eight Tennessee CoC regions and reach out to the chapter closest to you. Each chapter page includes contact information and details about how to get involved.

You can also explore the YAAB resources page for information on housing, employment, education, and other supports available to transition-age youth across Tennessee. And if you want to learn more about the organization before reaching out, the About YAAB page is a great place to start. Wherever you are in Tennessee — Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, Cookeville, the Tri-Cities, or anywhere in between — there’s a chapter that exists because of people like you, and it’s ready to welcome you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my local YAAB chapter in Tennessee?

Visit yaabtn.org/local-yaabs/ to see all eight Tennessee Continuum of Care regions and find the chapter that covers your city or county. Each chapter page has contact information and details on how to get involved.

Do I have to be homeless right now to join a YAAB chapter?

No. YAAB welcomes young adults ages 17 to 25 who have any lived experience of homelessness or housing instability — including past experiences like couch-surfing, staying in a shelter, or living in unsafe or overcrowded housing. You don't have to be currently homeless to qualify or contribute.

What is a Continuum of Care and how does it relate to YAAB?

A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional network of organizations, shelters, and housing programs that receive federal HUD funding to address homelessness. Tennessee has eight CoC regions. Each local YAAB chapter is tied to one CoC region and gives young adults with lived experience an official voice in how that region's resources and programs are designed and delivered.

Are YAAB members paid or compensated for their time?

Many YAAB chapters provide stipends or other forms of compensation for member participation, recognizing that young adults' time and expertise have real value. The specific structure varies by region, so reach out to your local chapter for details.

What cities in Tennessee have a local YAAB chapter?

Tennessee has local YAAB chapters in Memphis (TN-500), Nashville (TN-501), Knoxville (TN-502), Chattanooga (TN-503), Jackson/West Tennessee (TN-504), Cookeville/Upper Cumberland (TN-506), the Tri-Cities/Northeast Tennessee (TN-507), and Southeast Tennessee (TN-509) — covering all eight of the state's Continuum of Care regions.

Can case managers or service providers refer youth to a local YAAB chapter?

Yes. Case managers, CoC partners, and service providers are encouraged to connect eligible young adults — ages 17 to 25 with lived experience of homelessness — to their local YAAB chapter. The yaabtn.org/local-yaabs/ page is the best starting point for referrals and contact information.