Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-11-111: Permissive authority given local agency

Whenever a program or project undertaken by a local agency or person requires the acquisition of real property or the displacement of any person, the head of the local agency, or the person, shall have permissive authority to provide payments and assistance under this chapter for any displaced person, including replacement housing when necessary, as if the acquisition or displacement were for a program or project undertaken by a state agency.