A Hoarding Alliance local resource guide

Hoarding support in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

You do not have to solve everything at once. Start with the part that matters most today: immediate safety, a first conversation, a health or benefits question, or one small practical step.

People first.Then the stuff.A Fight the Blight initiative

Start here - Fight the Blight

Choose the next right step

These pathways are designed to help you begin without shame or pressure. Ask what a service actually covers before sharing sensitive details or moving items.

Ask what a first conversation would cover or how a virtual group works. You can ask without sending photos or arranging a home visit.

Role: nonprofit front door for hoarding support and virtual groups; geography: ask about joining online from Shelbyville or elsewhere in Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm registration, group fit, and any fees; funded local home services are not assumed; emergency limit: not therapy or emergency response.

For immediate danger

If there is immediate danger, smoke or fire, a serious injury, or a medical emergency, call 911. For urgent emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988. These emergency pathways are separate from routine service navigation.

First conversations

A few good places to start

You do not need to know the perfect service name before reaching out. These organizations can help you understand the landscape and identify a next step.

Role: private-pay hoarding support, family guidance, sorting, organizing, decluttering, and cleaning pathway; geography: ask about Shelbyville and Bedford County travel or remote options; cost/eligibility: private-pay rates, scope, scheduling, and travel must be confirmed; emergency limit: not emergency response or medical care. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

The Peer Tree

Use this as a private-pay pathway when grant-funded help is not the fit. Confirm the service scope, travel expectations, rate, and scheduling before making plans.

Role: digital peer-support pathway for people affected by hoarding and for friends or family; geography: available online from Shelbyville and Bedford County; cost/eligibility: review current access and account details; emergency limit: not therapy, medical care, cleanup, or emergency support. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Unburied

Use Unburied for peer connection, reflection, practical tools, and support between appointments or conversations. It is not therapy or an emergency service.

Role: statewide information and referral pathway for food, housing, health care, jobs, transportation, and human services; geography: Shelbyville, Bedford County, and Tennessee; cost/eligibility: free navigation, with program eligibility to confirm; emergency limit: not 911, 988, or emergency medical response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Tennessee 211

Call 211 or use the Tennessee 211 information page to ask for current local referrals. Tell the navigator what kind of help is needed and ask about eligibility, hours, and waitlists.

Safety and stability

When the concern involves safety, housing, or crisis

These pathways serve different situations. Read the labels carefully before calling, especially when a response may involve crisis care, protective services, shelter, housing rules, legal advocacy, or emergency dispatch.

Role: emergency response for immediate danger, fire, medical emergency, or a crime in progress; geography: Shelbyville and Bedford County; cost/eligibility: call when immediate response is needed; emergency limit: this is the emergency pathway, not a general service-navigation line. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

911: Immediate Danger

Call 911 when there is immediate danger, smoke or fire, a medical emergency, or an urgent threat to someone's safety.

Role: urgent emotional distress and suicide-crisis support; geography: Shelbyville, Bedford County, and the United States; cost/eligibility: call or text 988 or use the current chat option; emergency limit: call 911 for immediate physical danger or a medical emergency. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Use 988 for urgent emotional distress or suicidal thoughts. If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911 instead.

Role: state behavioral-health crisis information and referral; geography: Tennessee, including Bedford County; cost/eligibility: ask about current mobile-crisis and crisis-continuum access; emergency limit: not a substitute for 911 during immediate danger or a medical emergency. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Tennessee Crisis Services

Review Tennessee's current crisis-continuum information when you need help understanding behavioral-health crisis pathways. Confirm the current local option before relying on it.

Role: municipal law-enforcement and public-safety contact; geography: City of Shelbyville; cost/eligibility: confirm nonemergency contact and jurisdiction; emergency limit: call 911 for immediate danger, a crime in progress, or a medical emergency. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Shelbyville Police Department

Use the city's current police page for department contacts and jurisdiction questions. For immediate danger, call 911.

Role: county law-enforcement and public-safety contact; geography: Bedford County outside or across municipal jurisdiction; cost/eligibility: confirm nonemergency contact and jurisdiction; emergency limit: call 911 for immediate danger or a crime in progress. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Bedford County Sheriff's Office

The county page lists the Sheriff's Office and current nonemergency information. Confirm which agency handles a concern before sharing private details.

Role: county emergency-services routing for sheriff, fire, EMS, and emergency management; geography: Bedford County; cost/eligibility: use the county's current department contacts; emergency limit: dial 911 for an emergency. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Bedford County Emergency Services

Use this official county page to identify the appropriate emergency-services department. The county directs residents to dial 911 in an emergency.

Role: county preparedness, response, recovery, and disaster-mitigation coordination; geography: Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm current preparedness or disaster-assistance role; emergency limit: call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Bedford County Emergency Management

Use the county Emergency Management Agency page for preparedness and disaster-coordination information. It is not a substitute for 911.

Role: municipal fire-safety and fire-response contact; geography: City of Shelbyville; cost/eligibility: confirm current prevention, inspection, and jurisdiction details; emergency limit: call 911 for smoke, fire, or immediate danger. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Shelbyville Fire Department

Use the city's fire page for current department information and fire-safety questions. Call 911 for smoke or fire.

Role: hospital and emergency-care pathway; geography: Shelbyville and Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm insurance, billing, and current services; emergency limit: call 911 when transport or immediate emergency response is needed. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital Emergency Care

Vanderbilt lists Bedford Hospital at 2835 US-231 in Shelbyville. Confirm current emergency, outpatient, and financial-assistance details directly.

Role: urgent-care pathway for non-life-threatening medical concerns; geography: Shelbyville and Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm hours, insurance, and whether the concern fits urgent care; emergency limit: call 911 for life-threatening symptoms or immediate danger. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Vanderbilt Integrated Urgent Care

Vanderbilt lists an Integrated Urgent Care location in Shelbyville. Confirm current hours and whether the concern should go to the emergency department instead.

Role: public fire-safety education about hoarding and home-fire risk; geography: Shelbyville, Bedford County, and the United States; cost/eligibility: public information with no local response promise; emergency limit: call 911 for smoke, fire, or immediate danger. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

U.S. Fire Administration: Hoarding Fire Safety

Use this public guidance to think about blocked exits, ignition sources, smoke alarms, and a safety conversation. It does not inspect a home or clear a property.

Role: state behavioral-health information and system-navigation pathway; geography: Tennessee, including Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm program, coverage, and local availability; emergency limit: use 988 or 911 for an urgent crisis. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Use the state department's current information to identify behavioral-health pathways, then confirm local eligibility, wait time, and service scope.

People and practical help

Housing, food, care, transportation, and ongoing support

These listings connect the local community with housing, food, behavioral health, benefits, transit, survivor advocacy, disability support, peer support, and practical resources. Ask about current availability, cost, scope, consent, and safety before relying on them.

Role: official municipal government, resident routing, notices, utilities, public works, and city services; geography: City of Shelbyville; cost/eligibility: confirm office, jurisdiction, hours, and fees; emergency limit: not emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

City of Shelbyville

Start with the city's current website for departments, resident services, public notices, utilities, and local contacts.

Role: official county government and department-routing source; geography: Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm department, jurisdiction, hours, and any fees; emergency limit: not emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Bedford County Government

Use the county website to route questions to building codes, solid waste, emergency management, veterans services, and other departments.

Role: city permits, code questions, complaints, and property-safety routing; geography: City of Shelbyville; cost/eligibility: confirm city jurisdiction, current process, hours, and fees; emergency limit: not emergency response or a cleanup provider. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Shelbyville Building and Codes

Use the city Building and Codes page for permits, code complaints, and property-safety questions. Confirm whether the address is inside city limits before relying on it.

Role: county building-code, permit, zoning, and property-safety routing; geography: unincorporated Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm jurisdiction, permit needs, hours, and fees; emergency limit: not emergency response or a cleanup provider. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Bedford County Building Codes and Permits

Use this county page for unincorporated-area code and permit questions. City addresses may follow a different process; confirm jurisdiction first.

Role: city public-works and resident-service routing; geography: City of Shelbyville; cost/eligibility: confirm current service, materials, schedules, limits, and fees; emergency limit: not emergency response or whole-home cleanup. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Shelbyville Public Works

Use the city Public Works page for current municipal service questions. Ask specifically what service, collection, or cart issue applies to the address.

Role: county solid-waste, convenience-center, and disposal-information routing; geography: Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm materials, location, hours, limits, fees, and resident requirements; emergency limit: not emergency response or a guaranteed cleanup service. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Bedford County Solid Waste

Use the county Solid Waste page to ask about current disposal and convenience-center rules. It does not establish that a whole-home cleanup or every item can be accepted.

Role: county-published community-resource reference; geography: Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm that the guide and each listed program are current; emergency limit: not emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Bedford County Community Resource Guide

The county links a community resource guide. Because the linked document is dated, verify every phone number, eligibility rule, and provider before sharing personal information.

Role: public library, technology access, information, programs, and community-navigation resource; geography: Bedford County, with the Shelbyville branch at 220 South Jefferson Street; cost/eligibility: confirm library-card and program requirements; emergency limit: not emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library

The library can be a low-pressure place to access information, computers, and programs. Confirm current hours, card requirements, and program availability.

Role: community clinic with primary care, behavioral-health, pharmacy, and nutrition pathways; geography: Shelbyville and Bedford County; cost/eligibility: current page lists multiple coverage pathways, but confirm eligibility, cost, intake, and wait time; emergency limit: not emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Primary Care and Hope Clinic: Shelbyville

Use the Shelbyville clinic page to ask about behavioral health, primary care, pharmacy, or nutrition support. Confirm current coverage, intake, and appointment availability.

Role: behavioral-health evaluation and medication-management pathway; geography: Shelbyville and Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm in-person availability, insurance, fees, age range, and current intake; emergency limit: not emergency response or crisis transport. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

New Day Behavioral Health: Shelbyville

Use the Shelbyville location page to ask whether the service fits the person's needs. Confirm current appointment availability, coverage, and crisis limits.

Role: local hospital, outpatient, diagnostic, and health-system routing; geography: Shelbyville and Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm department, insurance, financial assistance, and current services; emergency limit: call 911 when immediate emergency response is needed. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital

Use the hospital page to route health questions, outpatient needs, or financial-assistance questions. Confirm the right department before sharing sensitive information.

Role: county extension, education, and local information resource; geography: Bedford County, with Shelbyville as the county seat; cost/eligibility: confirm current programs, office hours, and eligibility; emergency limit: not emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

UT Extension Bedford County

UT Extension's Bedford County page is a local education and information source. Ask whether a current program fits the question rather than assuming it provides hoarding cleanup or clinical care.

Role: veterans-benefits navigation, claims assistance, advocacy, and appointment-transportation routing; geography: Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm veteran or dependent eligibility and current appointment process; emergency limit: not emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Bedford County Veterans Services

The county Veterans Service Office helps eligible veterans and dependents navigate benefits and related systems. Confirm eligibility and current contact details.

Role: state benefits and human-services information pathway; geography: Tennessee, including Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm current program, documentation, income, and application rules; emergency limit: not emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Tennessee Department of Human Services

Use the state Human Services site to review benefits and assistance pathways, then confirm current eligibility, documents, and local processing.

Role: statewide housing-finance and housing-resource information pathway; geography: Tennessee, including Bedford County; cost/eligibility: confirm program availability, income rules, waitlists, and local administration; emergency limit: not emergency shelter or emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Tennessee Housing Development Agency

Use THDA's current housing information as a starting point, then ask which local program or housing provider actually serves the household.

Role: municipal animal-control and animal-safety routing; geography: City of Shelbyville; cost/eligibility: confirm jurisdiction, intake rules, hours, and fees; emergency limit: call 911 for immediate danger to people. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Shelbyville Animal Control

Use the city Animal Control page for animal-safety questions or concerns inside city limits. Confirm current intake and enforcement procedures.

Role: state employment, training, and workforce-navigation pathway; geography: Tennessee, including the Shelbyville area; cost/eligibility: confirm local center, program, documentation, and eligibility; emergency limit: not emergency response. | Shelbyville and Bedford County details can change; confirm current scope, hours, eligibility, cost, jurisdiction, and availability directly.

Tennessee American Job Centers

Use the state workforce page to find current American Job Center options and ask about transportation, training, employment, or benefits-navigation supports.

A note from the Alliance

Start with the person. Then decide what the situation needs.

This guide is anchored in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and includes city, county, state, nonprofit, national, and independent pathways. A listing here does not mean Fight the Blight endorses every provider or can guarantee availability. The Hoarding Alliance is not a city or county agency, therapy practice, emergency service, or cleanup company. We will keep reviewing this page, but please confirm details directly before relying on them.

Need help choosing a path? Contact Fight the Blight