Minnesota Emergency Rental Assistance Programs


Minnesota
ERAP Treasury Programs:

The new program is called COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance and it will help eligible renters with overdue rent since March 2020, up to three months of upcoming rent at a time, and related utility payments. The program will be open for applications in a matter of weeks, with an anticipated launch in late March. Eligible renters will include households that earned 80% or less of area median income in 2020 or in the most recent month. Landlords will be able to apply on behalf of their eligible tenants as well.

Minnesota CARES+ Programs:

On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, Governor Walz announced that up to $100 million of funding will be allocated from the state’s Covid-19 Relief Fund to create a new housing assistance program to help prevent evictions, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability of individuals and households impacted by COVID-19.

Even though there is a temporary hold on evictions as part of Governor Walz’s executive order, rent is still due and landlords may be able to evict tenants with past due rent once restrictions are lifted. Rental assistance can be used to pay this month’s rent and utilities, as well as past due rent and utilities from previous months.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey unveiled Friday a plan to give $5 million in assistance to tenants and small businesses struggling with the financial fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. The plan sets aside roughly $3 million for rental assistance. The mayor said he hopes the programs — collectively called the Gap Funding Plan — will help cover needs that aren’t met by state and federal aid. The city will not consider immigration status in determining individuals’ eligibility for help. Housing assistance is provided through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program and the Stable Homes Stable Schools Emergency Expansion Program.

The City of Minnetonka and ICA (Intercongregation Communities Association) have teamed up to offer emergency rental assistance to Minnetonka renters who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and can’t afford housing costs this month.

Qualified households can apply for a one-time payment up to $1,500 to assist with rent and utility expenses.

  • Northfield Rental Assistance Program 

Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority on April 28, 2020, committed to setting aside up to $53,600 assistance to help with rent payments. Some of that funding will compensate the Community Action Center for previous expenditures.

Olmsted County is establishing a rental assistance program for people who have lost their jobs or had hours slashed because of the pandemic. The participant pays 30 percent of their income in rent, and then the HRA will make up the difference. Households may reapply after three months for additional assistance.

Otter Tail County received $7.2 million from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in early July. Of this amount $1.5 million has been allocated to Community Resilience Programs. The purpose of these programs is to aid households experiencing housing instability, food insecurity, and other financial crises because of COVID-19.

In April, Ramsey County received $96 million from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Beginning in June, $56 million of these funds will be rapidly invested in our community through the Ramsey County Investment and Support Efforts (RISE) program, which includes three primary categories: Home and help: housing, food and financial assistance for struggling individuals and families. Employment support: resources for those who have lost their jobs or need help with employment. Small business: support for small businesses to stay open and adapt. $15 million is dedicated for emergency assistance, helping people affected by COVID-19 pay for past due rent/mortgage, a damage deposit, or prevent utilities from being disconnected.

The Ramsey County Landlord Assistance program provides one-time grants to landlords for up to $20,000 per rental unit for tenants’ missed rent payments and/or unpaid fees from March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020 due to COVID-19.

The Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority showed its unanimous support for city renters at risk of housing instability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The HRA authorized $30,000 in emergency rental assistance for Richfield renters to be administered by Volunteers Enlisted in Assisting People, known as VEAP. We offer rental assistance grants to individuals living in Bloomington, Richfield, Edina and a portion of South Minneapolis (West of Cedar Ave and South of 50th Street).

St. Louis County CARES Act Individual/Family Assistance funds will be used to meet the emergency needs of eligible individuals and families who are residents of St. Louis County. In order to apply, individuals/families must be in an emergency situation due to the impact of COVID19.

  • St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP)

STEP provides crisis rent assistance on a case by case basis for those St. Louis Park residents at risk of losing their housing due to a financial emergency. STEP currently also has access to CDBG Hennepin County emergency rental assistance is available to qualifying households residing in St. Louis Park.

The Saint Paul Bridge Fund is an emergency relief program for families with children and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The $3.85 million fund will be distributed to qualifying Saint Paul families with children as a flat-rate $1,000 grant. Applications are now closed.

Stearns County CARES assistance for individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic includes rent and utility assistance. This rental assistance is available for any months,  March – November 2020, in which rent and utility payments  were a burden due to the pandemic.

Washington County has funding available to pay past due rent, utilities, damage deposits, and other emergency expenses. Although there has been a temporary hold on evictions, full payment of rent is required and landlords may evict tenants with past due rent after state and federal restrictions on eviction filings are lifted.

 

These resources are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Landlords and Tenants are encouraged to seek specific legal advice for any of the issues as found in this blog.

1 Comment
  1. jonel dingman

    I’m looking where to apply online for one time rental assistance in Stearns county

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *