Housing Support

General information about COVID-19 and Housing.
Housing resources from the Department of Human Services.

How do I pay my Rent?

Short Term Rental Assistance offered through your County

Housing Benefits 101: Explore your housing options, discover what works for you, make a plan to get there. Create a free, private, and secure account to search for eligible housing assistance.
- Housing Stability Services: new Minnesota Medical Assistance benefit to help people with disabilities, including mental illness and substance use disorder, and seniors find and keep housing.

The Housing Support program provides help for housing costs for some people at risk of institutional placement or homelessness.
- Select this link to apply for housing support online.
- Application information and links to paper application including translations: Select the “Apply” tab.

Housing Resources for People with Disabilities: Disability HUB MN.
- More information on Disability Benefits.

Affordable housing search

If you are a renter, consider requesting a payment plan from your landlord.

If you need emergency financial assistance, contact your county or tribal human services office. Anyone in Minnesota can also contact Minnesota Community Action Partnership. You can also apply for FHPAP funds by contacting grant administrators.

The new COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program will be launching soon. Please visit the new website for more information on that program.

Resources for Renters.

I need help with my mortgage.

Homeowners. If you’re a homeowner experiencing difficult making on-time mortgage payments, there may be options for you. Information is available on the Consumer Financial Bureau’s website.

Foreclosure Prevention Counseling: If you are a homeowner who is struggling to pay your mortgage, find a certified foreclosure prevention counseling agency in your area.

Minnesota Homeownership Center: For foreclosure prevention counseling or questions about forbearance (postponing mortgage payments)

Resources for Homeowners

I am homeless and looking for shelter or a safe place.

If you are in need of a place to stay tonight because you do not have housing, contact the county you live in and they will direct you to a shelter.

Contact your local coordinated entry provider for an assessment of your housing and service needs. Learn more about coordinated entry by reading this fact sheet.

If you are in need of a safe place to stay because you are fleeing an unsafe environment at home, contact the MN Day One Crisis Hotline at 1.866.223.1111 to speak with an advocate who can guide you to a service provider and safe place.

Utilities

Utility payments may also be eligible under emergency assistance funding above. Many telephones, internet, and cell providers signed the "Keep America Connected Pledge" and are not disconnecting services or are offering special payment plans. Many providers are also opening public hotspots and offering free Wi-Fi for students and low-income families.

Comcast. Comcast is opening its Xfinity Wi-Fi Network nationally for free, connecting low-income families to free internet to support them with distance learning during school closures.

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP). The Energy Assistance Program (EAP). This program helps pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households. Learn how to apply to your local Energy Assistance provider by May 31, 2021.

Suspending evictions during COVID-19

To protect the health and well-being of Minnesotans during the pandemic, the Governor signed an order to suspend evictions. However, rent is not reduced or waived during this time. Once the suspension has ended, owners can file for evictions and removals can be enforced. Not paying rent on time can impact credit or cause problems that impact future housing options.

More information on the Executive Order. This Frequently Asked Questions document provides more information about the order that suspended evictions. (Also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali).

How do I get help if I need legal services?

Housing Discrimination & Eviction Protections. The State of Minnesota is here to help you maintain stable housing. Resources are available to you from the Department of Human Rights if you are a tenant or homeowner in Minnesota and are facing hardship due to COVID-19.

Legal assistance. If you're a renter, you can get legal help on a wide range of issues, including repairs, evictions, security deposits, landlord invasion of privacy, and more. Call HOME Line's hotline at 612-728-5767.

If you receive an eviction notice. If you receive an eviction notice during peacetime emergency, you may contact the Attorney General's office to submit a complaint in English, Spanish, and Somali.