Has COVID-19 made it hard to pay your rent?

IS ON THE WAY

If you have experienced hardship due to the pandemic and need assistance to pay your rent or utility bills, you may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance.

What is RentHelpMN?

Eligible Minnesota renters can receive help with rent and utility bills dated on or after March 13, 2020. If you qualify, you could receive up to 15 months total assistance.

PLEASE NOTE: When RentHelpMN opens, it will initially assist renters who owe back rent. The second phase will open up the program to all who qualify. Watch this page for details.

What does RentHelpMN offer?

Eligible Minnesota renters can receive help with rent and utility bills dated on or after March 13, 2020. If you qualify, you could receive up to 15 months total assistance.

RENT PAYMENTS

Past-due rent since March 13, 2020 (April 1st rent) and upcoming rent, three months at a time

UTILITY PAYMENTS

Gas, electric, water/sewer, garbage/recycling and other utilities as approved

ADDITIONAL HOUSING RELATED COSTS

Varies, but may include fees charged by your landlord or eviction-related costs

Renters: Get Ready

If you are a renter living in Minnesota who meets the eligibility requirements, you will be able to apply for RentHelpMN.

Download this document to see if you’re eligible and find out what documents you’ll need in order to be ready to apply when the program opens for applications.

Landlords: Get Ready

Are you a landlord with tenants behind on rent? RentHelpMN is a new opportunity to pay for owed rent.

Download this document for information about how to alert your tenants, help them get ready to apply and prepare your own documentation for when the program opens for applications.

Who can I call with questions? Trained operators are available to answer your questions about your eligibility, bills or documents. Call 211 today.

Other available resources

Numerous entities received housing and related assistance funds as part of the COVID-19 relief funds.

Some Tribal governments received federal funding to operate their own rental assistance programs. If you are connected to services through a Tribe in Minnesota, contact them directly for more information.
Help with heating costs and furnace repairs are available through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program.
Help with Internet costs is available through the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB).
Help for homeowners is on the way. Check back for more information.
If you want to talk to a nonprofit homeownership advisor who can help navigate your situation, contact the Minnesota Homeownership Center.
Will you need a paper application? Paper applications will be available to download when the program opens.
Watch Minnesota Housing’s webinar to learn more about RentHelpMN and how to get ready to apply.