Emergency rent assistance

Hennepin County administered 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 platform where the renter leads the application process. See below to learn more and apply.

The Zero Balance Project (CLOSED) was a metro area emergency rent assistance program where rental property owners and managers lead the application process. This program is no longer taking new applications.

See below for highlights of each program. Please visit each of the program websites to learn more.

The evictions moratorium is ending

The state of Minnesota has announced an end to the eviction moratorium. You may still be protected from eviction for past due rent if you have a pending application for COVID-19 rent assistance through The Zero Balance Project or RentHelpMN. See the "Evictions moratorium" section below for more information and key dates.

RentHelpMN

You can still submit applications for RentHelpMN.

Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, and the state of Minnesota all process applications for RentHelpMN

Starting on January 24, 2022, Hennepin County will change how it processes applications from RentHelpMN. Applications with estimated household incomes below 50% of the area median income will be processed first. All applicants will be requested to provide documentation of income from the last two months, unless they are eligible based on their zip code. Documentation can include self-attestation if documentation presents a barrier. This only impacts applications processed by Hennepin County.

Submitting an application, 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.

For more information, call 211

Hennepin County residents can call 612-348-6442 for help with their application.

The Zero Balance Project is now closed

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 7–20, 2021.

Total funding $34 million, with potential to add funds as needed

For more information, email zerobalanceproject@housinglink.org.

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Evictions moratorium

Until October 12, 2021, landlords must give renters a 15-day notice before they file an eviction for not paying rent.

Visit Renters Help (211unitedway.org) for legal information and resources for renters.

Key upcoming dates

June 1, 2022

All lease termination and eviction protections are lifted.

Key past dates

June 30

You could be evicted for violating your lease, or if you qualify for COVID-19 rent assistance but refuse to apply.

July 14

You could be evicted for violating your lease, but not for not paying rent.

August 13

Your lease could be terminated if you have not paid rent and are not eligible for COVID-19 rent assistance.

September 12

You could be evicted if you have not paid rent and are not eligible for COVID-19 rent assistance.

October 12

Your lease could be terminated or you could be evicted for not paying rent unless you are eligible for COVID-19 rent assistance and have a pending application.

Help for homeowners

Help is now available for low-income homeowners who have been impacted by COVID-19.

Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis are partnering with the Minnesota Homeownership Center to offer the Hennepin Homeownership Preservation Program (HHPP).

HHPP provides support to homeowners in Hennepin County who are past due on their mortgage or other housing costs. Free foreclosure prevention advising and limited financial assistance is available.

To find out if you qualify, complete a short questionnaire on the Hennepin Homeownership Preservation Program website or call 651-236-8952.

HHPP is targeted specifically to low-income households making less than 50% of the Area Median Income (about $46,550 for a three person household). Additional assistance for higher income households is expected to be offered through a state-wide program this fall.

If you applied for rent help from Hennepin County in March 2021

If you applied to the most recent round of Hennepin County rent assistance in March, and have questions about that application, call 612-348-6442.

Rental property manager W-9 form

If you or your renters applied to Hennepin County's March round of rental assistance, Hennepin County needs a completed W-9 form from the property manager to provide assistance.

Once a form is completed, it can be used for all tenants requesting rent assistance in any properties you manage.

Complete a W-9 form now.

Other financial help

Hennepin County has other rent and financial help programs you may qualify for.

Single adults can apply for Emergency General Assistance (EGA). Families can apply for Emergency Assistance (EA).

To apply

Fill out an application at MNBenefits.org.
Adults without minor children can call 612-596-1300.
Families with children can call 612-596-1900.

Impacts

In 2020, Hennepin County distributed a total of $21 million of emergency housing assistance.

We worked with a broad range of service organizations, nonprofits and community partners to distribute this funding to households in need, with special focus on reaching communities most vulnerable to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

The Emergency Housing Assistance map is intended to track the impacts of this fundings.

View the interactive map.

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