Housing

Resources and information on housing assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Homeowners who are experiencing hardship due to loss of income from COVID-19

Apply for emergency rent assistance

RentHelpMN

RentHelpMN, a statewide emergency rent assistance portal, stopped taking new applications January 28, 2022. Minnesota Housing will not take new applications after this deadline; they will continue to process completed applications.

Minneapolis and Hennepin County Programs:

Will process completed applications and allow for submission of incomplete applications by applicants.
Closed to re-applications on Friday, May 13
Applicants in the Minneapolis Program must finish their incomplete application by June 24, 2022, at 11:59 PM. Any application remaining in incomplete status as of the deadline will be withdrawn from the program.
Applicants log into their RentHelpMN to complete their application or check on application status.

For more information, call 211. Hennepin County residents can call 612-348-6442 for help with their application.

Submitting an application through RentHelpMN, even if you are eligible, does not guarantee that you will receive assistance. The program prioritizes assistance for those applicants that meet certain criteria and may run out of funds before all applications are processed.

If you need help paying your rent, find other emergency assistance programs at Hennepin County’s website

Resources for renters

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 or other expenses

Apply for assistance at mnbenefits.org. In addition to emergency housing assistance, this site can connect to food assistance, cash programs, and child care assistance. Income level, prior use of this resource, and immigration status criteria may be considered, according to individual program guidelines.

Necesito ayuda para pagar el alquiler

Solicite asistencia en mnbenefits.org. Además de la asistencia de emergencia para la vivienda, esta solicitud puede conectarse con asistencia alimentaria, programas de efectivo y asistencia para el cuidado infantil. Se puede considerar el nivel de ingresos, el uso previo de este recurso y los criterios de estatus migratorio, de acuerdo con las pautas del programa individual. Para obtener información adicional, los adultos solteros deben llamar al 612-596-1300 y las familias deben llamar al 612-596-1900.

renthelpmn.org puede ayudar con el alquiler si ha sido afectado por COVID. Su nivel de ingresos, pago atrasado del alquiler y el impacto de COVID determinarán si puede acceder a estos recursos.

Puede acceder a Renters Help para que le ayuden a encontrar la asistencia de alquiler adecuada para usted. Esta herramienta también tiene enlaces a la defensa de inquilinos e información sobre viviendas de alquiler.

Waxaan u baahnahay caawin ah bixinta kirada

Ka codsiga gargaar shabakada mnbenefits.org. Ka sokow gargaarka degdega ah ee dhanka guryaha ah, codsigani wuxuu kaloo kugu xiri karaa gargaar cunto, barmaamijyo lacag cadaan ah bixiya iyo gargaar haynta ilmaha ah. Heerka dakhliga, ka hor isticmaalka khayraadkan iyo sharciga muhaajirka (immigration) ayaa la tix gelin karaa, sida ku qoran habraacyada barnaamij walba gaarka u ah. Wixii kale ee akhbaar ah, dadka waaweyn ee kaligood ahi ha ka wacaan khadka 612-596-1300 qoysaskuna ha wacaan khadka 612-596-1900.

renthelpmn.org waxa ay kaa caawin kartaa kirada hadii uu ku saameeyey COVID. Heerka dakhligaaga, kirada lagu leeyahay iyo saameynta COVID ka ayaa go’aamiya inaad heli kartid khayraadyadaa iyo in kale.

Caawinta Kireystayaasha (Renters Help) (211unitedway.org) waa la waydiisan karaa inay kaa caawiyaan helida gargaar dhanka kirada ah oo adiga xaaladaada ku haboon. Aaladan sidoo kale waxa ay leedahay xiriiro la xiriira taakuleynta kiraystayaasha iyo akhbaar ku saabsan kirada guryaha.

Kuv xav tau kev pab them nqi tsev

Mus ua ntawv thov kev pab nyob rau hauv mnbenefits.org. Daim ntawv thov no yog thov rau kev pab them nqi tsev thaum muaj xwm ceev them tsis taus nrog rau kev pab yuav zaub mov, nyiaj ntsuab, thiab kev zov menyuam. Raws li tej kev cai pab cuam rau nyias txoj kev pab, tej zaum yuav saib txog koj li nyiaj khwv tau, seb puas tau txais tej kev pab no ntxiv, thiab ntaub ntawv nyob tebchaws no. Yog xav paub ntxiv txog kev pab rau cov neeg laus uas yog tig leeg xwb ces hu rau 612-596-1300 hos cov muaj ib tsev neeg hu tau rau 612-596-1900.

renthelpmn.org muaj kev pab cuam them nqi tsev yog tias koj raug muaj teeb meem them tsis taus vim tus kab mob COVID. Yuav ntsuam xyuas koj li nyiaj khwv tau, cov nqi tsev uas them tsis taus yav tag los thiab seb tus kab mob COVID raug koj li cas thiaj li paub pab koj.

Qhov kev pab cuam Renters Help (211unitedway.org) pab txuas koj mus nrhiav yam kev pab them nqi tsev uas haum rau koj. Lub twj no kuj taw mus cuag muaj tej ntaub ntawv kev pab ntxiv rau cov neeg xaub tsev nyob thiab tej tsev uas xaub nyob tau.

Kiraa kaffaluuf gargaarsan barbaada

Gargaarsaf mnbenefits.org irratti iyyadhu. Gargaarsa manaa hatattamaa cinatti iyyatni kun deggersa soorataa, sagntaa qarshii callaafi, deggersa kunuunsa daa’immanii waliin walitti hidhamiinsa akka qabaattan taasisa. Akka qajeelfama sagantaa nama dhuunfaatti, sadarkaan galii, qabeenya kana dursanii fayyadamuuniifi, ulaagaan haala godaansaa tilmaama keessa ni gala.Odeeffannoo dabalataaf namni dhuunfaan bilbila 612-596-1300 irratti maatiin ammoo 612-596-1900 irratti bilbilaa.

COVID’dhaan dhiibbaan yoo isinirra gahe, www.renthelpmn.org kireeffachuuf isin gargaaruu danda’a. Sadarkaan galii keessanii, haalli kiraa duraaniifi, dhiibbaan COVID qabeenya kunneen argachuu keessan ni murteessa.

Gargaarsa Kireeffattootaa (211unitedway.org) gargaarsa kiraa akkaataa itti mana isiniif malu argachuu dandeessan kan isin deggerudha. Akkasuma meeshaan kun abukaatoo kireeffattootaafi odeeffannoo manoota kireeffamanii waliin hidhata qaba.

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 referrals@CMRSmn.org 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

Legal Aid provides free legal services for income qualifying renters at 612-334-5970. Individual tenants can call Legal Aid to get information about their specific situation.

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.

Renter protections - City of Minneapolis - The City has renter protection policies as part of our housing maintenance code.

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.

Spanish

Si su trabajo se ha visto afectado por COVID-19, solicite beneficios de desempleo de inmediato. Solicitar en línea es la opción más rápida. Haga su solicitud en línea hoy mismo. El sistema está disponible de domingo a viernes de 6:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m., hora central.

Si tiene preguntas sobre cómo hacer la solicitud, help is available every Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling:

651-296-3644 (Twin Cities area)
1-877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota)
1-866-814-1252 (TTY – users)

Somali

Hadii shaqadaadda uu saameeyey cudurka COVID-19, dalbo macfacyada shaqaalaha shaqo la’aanta ah la siiyo markiiba. Ka dalbashada khadka (online) ka ayaa ah sida ugu dhaqsadaha badan ee lagu dalban karo. Ka codso khadka (online) ka maantaba (Apply online today). Habka codsigu waxaa la heli karaa Axada ilaa iyo Jimcaha laga bilaabo 6:00 subaxnimo ilaa iyo 8:00 Fiidnimo Waqtiga Dhexe (Central Time).

Hadii aad qabto wax su’aalo ah oo ku saabsan sida loo dalbado (how to apply), help is available every Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling:

651-296-3644 (Twin Cities area)
1-877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota)
1-866-814-1252 (TTY – users)

Hmong

Yog tias tus kab mob COVID-19 tau ua rau koj poob haujlwm, cia li mus thov nyiaj poob haujlwm kom sai li sau tau. Qhov koj tso npe thov hauv online yog txoj kev thov sai tshaj. Tso npe thov hauv online hnub no. Tso npe thov tau txhua Hnub 1 mus txog Hnub 7 (Sunday txog Friday) thaum 6:00 A.M. mus txog 8:00 P.M. Central Time.

Yog tias koj muaj lus nug txog yuav tso npe thov li cas, help is available every Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling:

651-296-3644 (Twin Cities area)
1-877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota)
1-866-814-1252 (TTY – users)

Oromo

Yoo hojiin(dalagaan) keessan COVID-19n miidhame, battalumaan gara mirga fayidaa hojidhabdootaatti iyyadhaa. Iyyati sarara kallattiin dhihaatu ariifataadha. Harruma sarara kallattiin iyyadhaa(Apply online today). Siistemni kun Sanbata Guddaadhaa hanga Jimaataa, sa’a Giddugaleessaa 6:00 W.D hanga 8:00 W.B.tti ni jira.

Akkaataa iyyataaf gaaffii yoo qabaattan(how to apply) , help is available every Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling:

651-296-3644 (Twin Cities area)
1-877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota)
1-866-814-1252 (TTY – users)

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 contact@prepareandprosper.org.
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 United Way website 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.

Spanish

Si es inquilino en el condado de Hennepin y le preocupa perder su vivienda o no está seguro de qué recurso podría ser más útil, comuníquese con el Centro de Recursos para Inquilinos (TRC) al 612-767-9737. El personal allí puede ayudarle a conectarse con servicios legales, de mediación, asistencia para el alquiler u otros recursos para inquilinos. www.trchennepin.com

Somali

Hadii aad tahay kirayste degan Degmadda Hennepin (Hennepin County) aadna ka walaacsan tahay guriga in lagaa saaro ama aadan hubin barnaamijka ugu caawimaad badan ee la heli karo, fadlan la xiriir Rugta Khayraadka Kiraystaha [Tenant Resource Center (TRC)] ee khadkeedu yahay at 612-767-9737. Shaqaalaha halkaa jooga ayaa waxa ay kaa caawin karaan inaad ku xiranto gargaar ah dhanka sharciga, dhexdhexaadinta, kiro ka gargaarida ama khayraadyo kale oo kiraystayaasha loo fidiyo. www.trchennepin.com

Hmong

Yog tias koj yog ib tug neeg nyob hauv Hennepin County thiab koj tseem txhawj tsam koj poob koj lub tsev lossis tsis paub ua yam twg, thov hu mus rau kev pab Tenant Resource Center (TRC) ntawm 612-767-9737. Cov neeg ua haujlwm no mam li pab txuas koj mus cuag tej kev pab kev cai lij choj, kev nyob nruab nrab pab sib hais, kev pab them nqi tsev lossis lwm yam kev pab cuam ntxiv. www.trchennepin.com

Oromo

Magaalaa Hennepin keessa kireeffattanii yoo jiraattan akkasumas, mana keessan dhabuu keessaniif yookiin waanti baayyee fayidaqabeessi maal akka ta’e beekuu dhabuu keessaniif yaaddoo yoo qabaattan , maaloo Giddugala Qabeenya Kireeffattootaa (TRC) bilbila itti fufuun quunnamaa 612-767-9737. Hojjetooti achi jiran seeraqabeessa, walquunnamsiistota, deggersa kiraa yookiin qabeenyawwan biroo kireeffaman waliin akka walquunnamtan isin gargaaru. www.trchennepin.com

HomeHelpMN: is offered through Minnesota Housing to help if you have fallen behind on your mortgage or other housing-related expenses due to the pandemic. If interested, please apply at the website or call 1-800-388-3226 to apply. This program has limited funds, so applications should be submitted to Minnesota Housing without delay. Minnesota Housing has recently updated the program as follows:
- The cap of assistance that can be provided increased from $35,000 to $50,000.
- There is no time restriction on housing-related expenses incurred.
- There is no deadline to apply for assistance.
City of Lakes Community Land Trust (CLCLT) Project: Sustained Legacy (P:SL): The City is providing support to CLCLT to help current homeowners remain in their home. CLCLT will invest in mortgage debt restructuring for a sustainable housing payment and/or significant rehabilitation work. In exchange for participating in this program the homeowner would enroll in a perpetually affordable housing model that will sustain a home’s affordability to future purchasers.
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
  - Fannie Mae mortgage look up tool and COVID-19 page.
  - Freddie Mac mortgage look up tool and COVID-19 page.
  - If your mortgage is not federally-backed, some Minnesota credit unions and banks are extending mortgage-relief options to customers.
Contact your mortgage servicer now 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.
When working with your servicer, you should:
- State that you are having a financial hardship due to COVID-19. You will not be required to provide documentation of this hardship.
- Request a COVID-19 Forbearance for your mortgage payments.
- Ask your servicer to confirm the details of your agreement in writing.

Additional Information

Minneapolis 311

Email Minneapolis 311

Phone

311 or 612-673-3000

TTY

612-263-6850

Office hours

7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday – Friday

See list of City holidays