Minnesota Housing launched the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance online applications through RentHelpMN.org. for Minnesotans who have been impacted by COVID-19 and have struggled to pay their rent and utility bills.
“We know renters with low incomes in particular have struggled to pay their rent and utility payments throughout the pandemic,” said Angela Larson, Family Services director at United Community Action Partnership (UCAP). “This program alone will not solve our housing crisis here in Minnesota, but it is a critical step in the right direction.”
About 30 local community-based organizations are working with Minnesota Housing to assist people with their applications, including United Community Action Partnership (UCAP).
UCAP’s role in this program is to spread the word in their communities and to provide application assistance to those who may have trouble applying on their own.
“We have hired several bilingual staff to make this program more accessible,” said Larson, “but we also know that even those without language barriers may need extra help with the online application system.”
This program is open to all Minnesota households at 80 percent of area median income or below (more information about income limits available at https://www.renthelpmn.org/learn-more).
Some eligibility details include:
•This rental and utility assistance program is currently open to renters who are past due, going back as far as March 13, 2020.
•Past-due utilities that are eligible include electric, natural gas, delivered fuels, trash/ recycling, water and sewage.
•Past-due rent includes rent for house, apartment, manufactured home/lot rent, etc.
Homeowners are not eligible for mortgage or utility assistance through this rental assistance program.
To apply for the program, call 211 or visit www.renthelpmn.org
If you have questions or need help applying, please call United Community Action Partnership at 507-537-1416.
United Community Action Partnership is a non-profit organization that strives to help low and moderate income families improve their lives and move out of poverty.
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