OUR STORY
More Than a Home.
A New Beginning.
I've sat across from people inside facilities. I've fed people who had nothing. I've listened to people in this community who are working hard to get it together. And over and over again, the same thing stands in the way: nowhere to go.
That's why Next Chapter Housing exists.
A stable home is the foundation everything else is built on. Without somewhere safe to come home to, it is hard to hold down a job, focus on growth, or plan for the future.
Operating as a program of The Next Step Foundation, we provide more than just a place to stay. We walk alongside our residents with the wraparound services, accountability, and support they need to move forward.
This isn't charity. This is community. And everybody deserves the chance to write a remarkable next chapter.
Our Mission
The mission of Next Chapter Housing is to meet people where they are and walk with them toward independence through stable housing, supportive services, and clear pathways to self-sufficiency.
Where Every Next Chapter Begins.
Compassion · Stability · Community · Hope
WHERE EVERY NEW CHAPTER GETS STARTED
A Place for Every Journey
Wherever you are in your journey, we have a place for you and the support to help you thrive.
Returning Citizens
Men and women transitioning from incarceration who need stable housing and wraparound support to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
Veterans
Those who served our country and now face housing instability deserve structured support and a community that honors their sacrifice.
Individuals in Transition
Anyone navigating a major life transition including job loss, family crisis, or housing instability who needs a stable foundation to build from.
Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Turning 18 shouldn't mean starting from nothing. We provide young adults leaving foster care with a stable home and people in their corner as they build their lives.
SERVICES & SUPPORT
We Don't Just Provide Housing.
We Walk Alongside You.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Job placement assistance, resume building, interview preparation, and employer connections to help residents secure meaningful employment.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Individualized support plans, goal-setting, progress tracking, and weekly one-on-one check-ins with a dedicated case manager.
LIFE SKILLS TRAINING
Financial literacy, budgeting, cooking, time management, and the essential skills for maintaining independent living.
MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS
Connections to licensed therapists, counselors, and substance use treatment providers in the surrounding community.
BENEFITS ENROLLMENT
Assistance with TennCare, SNAP, SSI, and other public benefits to ensure residents have access to the support they're entitled to.
COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP
Peer support networks, mentorship programs, and community engagement opportunities that build belonging and accountability.
WHY NEXT CHAPTER HOUSING EXISTS
Stable Housing Makes Everything Else Possible
Whether someone is leaving incarceration, aging out of foster care, or navigating a significant transition, stable housing is what makes everything else possible.
1 in 2
Tennessee felony offenders return to prison within three years, often because stable housing and support are not in place when they leave.
800+
Young people age out of Tennessee's foster care system every year, most without a stable place to go.
570
Veterans were experiencing homelessness in Tennessee as recently as 2024, many in rural areas with little access to support.
1 in 3
Adults navigating a major life transition will experience housing instability at some point, making stable housing the most critical first step toward getting back on their feet.
OUR FOUNDER
Dr. Ashley Byars
Dr. Ashley Byars founded Next Chapter Housing because she has seen firsthand what happens when people are ready to move forward but do not have a stable place to go. As the Founder and Executive Director of The Next Step Foundation, she has spent years building programs that serve youth, returning citizens, and individuals working toward independence in Haywood County and the surrounding communities of rural West Tennessee.
She works directly with the people her programs are designed to serve, and what she hears over and over is the same thing: "I am ready. I just need somewhere to go."
Next Chapter Housing is her answer to that. A stable home, wraparound support, and a genuine belief that everybody deserves the chance to write a remarkable next chapter.
APPLICATIONS
Ready to Begin Your Next
Chapter?
We welcome applications from individuals who are ready to commit to the program, follow house guidelines, and actively work toward their goals. Availability is limited, reach out today.
Eligibility Criteria
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Open to individuals and young adults 18 and older who are in a period of transition and ready to begin their next chapter.
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Placement determined based on age, need, and program availability
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Committed to employment, education, or vocational training
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Willing to abide by all house rules and program expectations
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Must meet program screening requirements, which are reviewed on a case by case basis
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Must be able to contribute to monthly housing costs. Financial assistance options may be available for eligible residents.
PARTNERS REFERRALS
Referring a Client or
Partner?
Next Chapter Housing works closely with probation officers, correctional facilities, social workers, and community organizations to connect individuals with housing at the right moment in their transition.
If you are a professional or organization seeking housing placement for a client, we encourage you to reach out directly. We maintain close coordination with our referral partners to ensure smooth, timely placements.
Madison County Juvenile Court
Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC)
John S. Wilder Youth Development Center
Tennessee Department of Children Services
Haywood County Probation & Parole
The Next Step Foundation
Community Social Workers & Case Managers
GET IN TOUCH
We're Here to Help
Whether you're looking for housing, referring a client, exploring a partnership, or interested in supporting our mission, we'd love to hear from you.
Brownsville, Tennessee
888 678 3722
Next Chapter Housing is a program of The Next Step Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax-deductible. Contact us for donation and partnership inquiries.