Hennepin County has emergency rental assistance available for low-income residents who can’t afford rent due to COVID-19. Learn more and apply.
Housing
Renters | Evictions | Homeowners | Those experiencing homelessness | Rental property owners
Minnesota Housing is accepting applications for the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program, which covers expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, or other housing-related expenses that were incurred after March 1, 2020 and are past due. To start the process to apply for housing assistance, call 211 (Toll Free: 1.800.543.7709; Local: 651.291.0211), visit 211unitedway.org, or text “MNRENT” or “MNHOME” to 898-211. The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Once connected to 211, they will connect you with a local administrator to review applications, verify eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households.
The City of Minneapolis has designated more than $5 million in gap funding to help Minneapolis residents and businesses, including $3 million specifically for housing assistance. Learn more about gap funding for housing.
Governor Walz announced Executive Order 20-14: Suspending Evictions and Writs of Recovery During the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency on March 23, 2020 to prevent evictions during the coronavirus outbreak. The suspension went into effect at 5 p.m. on March 24, 2020. It will remain in effect until the end of the peacetime state of emergency.
Resources for Renters
Español: Recursos de ayuda para la vivienda | Oromo: Deggersa Kaffaltii mana jireenyaa | Soomaali: Liiska gargaarka (guriyaynta) | Hmoob: Kev Pabcuam Vaj Tse Nyob
Housing assistance resources and legal help
Many program rules have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you were not eligible in the past for housing assistance, please contact the organizations below to determine if you are now eligible for one of these services.
I need help paying rent
Hennepin County Emergency Rental Assistance – Funding for rent and utilities for low-income households who have lost income due to COVID-19.
Minnesota Housing COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program – Funding for rent, utilities, mortgage, or housing-related expenses incurred after March 1, 2020.
I need help working out a plan or other agreement with my landlord
Community Mediation & Restorative Services, Inc (CMRS) helps you start a conversation and work out a plan with your landlord. We can help you think through your options and finding the right resources. Email [email protected] or call 763-561-0173. Leave your name, phone number or email, and a brief description of your situation. A CMRS mediator will be in touch with you.
Conflict Resolution Center provides free mediation services to help renters and landlords talk with each other to resolve housing conflicts. Call 612-822-9883 or submit a mediation request online.
I need help understanding my rights as a tenant
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid provides legal advice to low-income Minneapolis renters. Information and resources for all Minneapolis renters is available here:
- Legal Aid’s COVID-19 page with legal information and resources
- Legal-Aid’s housing-specific information and advice. This includes information about the Governor’s executive order to suspend evictions and lease terminations. This webpage is updated daily as new information is available.
- Individual tenants can also call Legal Aid to get information about their specific situation. Legal Aid provides free legal services for income qualifying renters: 612-334-5970.
HOME Line provides free and confidential legal advice to all Minneapolis renters. Individual tenant questions can be directed to HOME Line:
- HOME Line's tenant hotline, free & confidential legal advice: 612-728-5767 or email your question to HOME Line housing attorneys.
- HOME Line ofrece servicios en español. Para Español, llame al 612-255-8870.
- HOME Line waxay bixisaa adeeg ku baxa Afka-Soomaaliga. Af- Soomaali wac 612-255-8860.
- Peb lub koom haum HOME Line muaj neeg txhais lus Hmoob. Hais lus Hmoob, Hu 612-255-7104.
LawHelpMN.org contains legal information in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali.
I am a Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) resident, have a housing choice voucher, or other help paying my rent based on my income
If you receive help paying for your rent based on your income, it is important to report changes in your income right away. MPHA advises households to immediately report any loss of income to their eligibility technician, so that rent can be lowered accordingly and promptly.
- To update changes in your income, use MPHA’s online forms:
More information is available on the MPHA website.
I want to apply for unemployment benefits
If your job has been affected by COVID-19, apply for unemployment benefits right away. Due to current call-wait times, applying online is the quickest option. Learn more about applying for unemployment.
I need help accessing my Federal Economic Impact Payment and filing taxes
Prepare + Prosper works with people with low- to moderate-incomes to build financial well-being through free tax preparation and financial services, coaching, and products. Other services include:
- Remote support in filing returns for taxes and stimulus payments
- Enrollment assistance in safe and affordable prepaid debit cards and their FAIR banking products (including a checking account) to quickly access Economic Impact Payments and tax refunds
For tax help or general questions contact 651-287-0187 or [email protected].
To enroll in an account, make an appointment online.
I am looking for something not listed here
United Way 211 offers additional information on housing, food, utilities anywhere in Minnesota. Call 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or visit the https://www.211unitedway.org/ to search or chat online with a Community Resource Specialist. 211 is staffed 24/7 by trained Community Resource Specialists who listen to your needs and provide referrals to organizations and programs that offer the services you seek.
I am not sure what help I need
If you are a resident of Hennepin County and aren’t sure what might be the most helpful, please contact the Tenant Resource Center (TRC) at 612-302-3180.
Frequently asked questions about suspension of evictions
More information is available on Minnesota Housing’s COVID-19 webpage, including a summary of Executive Order 20-14 and the full Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.
What does the order do?
- The order keeps tenants and foreclosed homeowners in their homes during the state of emergency, except in limited circumstances.
When did the order go into effect?
- The suspension went into effect at 5 p.m. on March 24, 2020. It remains in effect until the declared peacetime state of emergency ends.
Does the tenant still owe rent during the moratorium?
- Yes. We strongly encourage renters to: (1) Let your landlord know early if you cannot make rent. (2) Pay what you can so you don’t get further behind on rent.
Does the homeowner still have to make their mortgage payment?
- Yes. The order asks financial institutions to postpone foreclosure and not to impose late fees. If they choose to, financial institutions can still start foreclosure proceedings, but, during the public health emergency, cannot evict the people living in the home.
Does the household need to demonstrate a loss of income or COVID-19 diagnosis?
- No. This order does not require a COVID-19 diagnosis or demonstrated loss of income.
Are all types of evictions or lease terminations exempt from filing under this suspension?
- No. Evictions or terminations may proceed in cases where the tenant seriously endangers the safety of other residents or for violation of 504B.171 subd. 1. (certain unlawful activities on the property). Property owners/lenders are encouraged to seek legal counsel with questions about specific situations.
What happens if a landlord/lender violates the order?
- If they willfully violate the suspension of evictions, they would be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction may be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment for up to 90 days. The Attorney General’s office may also enforce the order using any of the remedies under Minn. Stat. 8.31. See legal resources.
Download full FAQ from Minnesota Housing about Executive Order 20-14
Resources for homeowners
For homeowners who are experiencing hardship due to loss of income from COVID-19:
- Contact your servicer to learn about your options. Do not stop making mortgage payments without contacting your servicer as it may increase your risk of foreclosure.
- Contact information for your servicer should be on your mortgage bill, call and ask for the loss mitigation department.
- Options available from mortgage servicers could include forbearance options, mortgage modifications and mortgage payment relief.
- Your specific options may vary depending on your individual circumstances.
- The Minnesota Homeownership Center has a network of free homeownership advisors to provide guidance about your options in multiple languages.
- Look up who owns your mortgage.
- Federally backed mortgages are eligible for a six month forbearance – check both mortgage lookups and contact your servicer to discuss options
- Federally backed mortgages are eligible for a six month forbearance – check both mortgage lookups and contact your servicer to discuss options
- If your mortgage is not federally-backed, some Minnesota credit unions and banks are extending mortgage-relief options to customers.
- Apply for the Minnesota Housing COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program – Funding for rent, utilities, mortgage, or housing-related expenses incurred after March 1, 2020.
Additional resources for homeowners:
- Minnesota Housing: COVID-19 resources.
- Federal Trade Commission: Tips on Avoiding Mortgage Scams Related to the Pandemic.
- Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development: COVID-19 Resources.
- Federal Housing Finance Agency: Mortgage Help for Homeowners Impacted by the Coronavirus (FHFA).
- National Conference of State Legislatures: Summary of the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: tips on how to protect from the financial impacts of the coronavirus.
Resources for people experiencing homelessness
The City of Minneapolis is working with the County and community partners to respond to people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about the City's homeless response
Hygiene stations
The City has placed hygiene stations to provide access to bathrooms and handwashing for people experiencing homelessness. The hygiene stations include portable toilets, handwashing stations, sharps containers, and trash receptacles. View the locations.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has opened the following restroom buildings from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily:
- Bryn Mawr Meadows Park, 601 Morgan Ave. S
- Marshall Terrace Park, 2740 Marshall St. NE
- Mueller Park, 2509 Colfax Ave. S
- Willard Park, 1626 Queen Ave. N
Healthcare for the Homeless
Call 612-348-5553 to:
- Access isolation and quarantine spaces if you are sick
- Speak with a nurse
- Get guidance for medical professionals and shelter providers
- Speak with a social worker
- Discuss mental health needs with a professional
- Get information about health insurance and benefits
- Learn more about Healthcare for the Homeless
How to access emergency shelter
Single adults
- Make shelter reservations by phone at 612-248-2350.
Families
- Monday-Friday until 11 p.m.: call 612-348-9410
- Holidays, weekends and evenings until 11 p.m.: call 2-1-1 (mobile: 651-291-0211) and ask for the after-hours shelter team.
Youth
- Visit YSNMN.org.
Rental Property Owners
In March 2020, the Federal government passed the CARES Act, which has provisions that relate directly to rental housing. This federal order is in effect until at least July 25, 2020. The provisions related to rental housing are:
- Mortgage forbearance for federally financed rental properties
- A temporary moratorium on evictions for most residents of federally financed apartments, including those supported by HUD, USDA or Treasury (Low Income Housing Tax Credit developments) as well a moratorium on filings for evictions for renters in homes covered by federally-backed (FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac) mortgages for 120 days after enactment.
Search for your property to determine whether it is covered by the CARES Act provisions specifically related to forbearance and eviction moratoriums. Please note that the linked source is not exhaustive and mainly covers larger properties. We encourage you to review the additional resources in this email to determine who owns your mortgage if your property is not listed in this search tool.
If your property is covered by the CARES Act, the following resources are available (based on who financed your property):
- Freddie Mac financed properties (up to 90 days of forbearance).
- Fannie Mae financed properties (up to 90 days of forbearance).
- FHA financed properties (initial 30 days of forbearance and opportunity to extend up to 90 days).
If your property is not covered specifically covered by the forbearance components in the CARES Act, you may also be able to enter into a forbearance plan with your lender. In these situations, owners should reach out to their servicer to ask about forbearance.
Learn how to determine who owns your mortgage.
Last updated Oct 21, 2020
