COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program now accepting applications

As of Monday, the Minnesota Housing Department is now accepting applications for its COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program.

The program provides housing assistance payments to help prevent eviction and homelessness, as well as to maintain housing stability for eligible renters and homeowners. Local administrators will review applications from individuals and families requesting assistance, verify eligibility and process payments for eligible expense on behalf of households.

To qualify for housing assistance, households must meet all the following criteria:

• Be a Minnesota resident.
• Be a renter or homeowner with an income at or below 300% of federal poverty guidelines, with a preference for those at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. To see if your income qualifies, click here.
• Have an eligible expense that was incurred after March 1, 2020 that is past due. Housing assistance funds can only be used for eligible expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and Dec. 30, 2020.
• Be unable to make the payment(s) owed because of the public health emergency due to unemployment, illness or another COVID-19 related issue.

If you currently receive rental assistance that adjusts with income, you are generally not eligible to apply for rental assistance in the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program. You may still apply for assistance with eligible utility expenses, according to the Department of Housing.

Expenses that may be eligible for assistance include the following:

• Rent payments,
• Mortgage payments (including escrowed property taxes and insurance in the case of foreclosure prevention),
• Contract for deed payments,
• Manufactured home park lot rents,
• Utility payments,
• Homeowners insurance,
• Additional housing related costs approved by Minnesota Housing.

For more information on how to apply and if you qualify, click here.