Emergency rent assistance
There are now two ways for Hennepin County residents and rental property owners and managers to apply for emergency rent assistance:
- RentHelpMN is a statewide emergency rent assistance program where the renter leads the application process.
- The Zero Balance Project is a metro area emergency rent assistance program where rental property owners and managers lead the application process.
See below for highlights of each program to help you decide the best option for your situation. Please visit each of the program websites to learn more and apply.
RentHelpMN
renthelpmn.org
- Statewide
- Both tenants and property owners/managers can start applications
- Renters provide income and demographic information, demonstrate impact by COVID, and provide past-due rent and/or utility bills and lease agreement.
- Property owners/managers provide property and payment information and verify amount owed.
- Income limits: 80% AMI
- Maximum assistance: up to 15 months
- Eligible expenses include rent, rental fees, utilities and tenant-paid utilities
- Applications accepted on an open pipeline basis through at least December 2021
- Total funding $518 million
- For more information, call 211
The Zero Balance Project
housinglink.org/zerobalanceproject
- Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties, including Minneapolis and St. Paul
- Property owners/managers start applications
- Renters provide income and demographic information, and demonstrate impact by COVID.
- Property owners/managers provide lease, property information, amount owed and payment information.
- Income limits: 80% AMI
- Maximum assistance: up to 15 months
- Eligible expenses include rent, rental fees and utilities that are included in the lease. Utilities in the renter’s name are not eligible under this program.
- Applications accepted June 7 to June 20, 2021
- Total funding $34 million, with potential to add funds as needed
- For more information, email zerobalanceproject@housinglink.org