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.

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

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

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

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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.

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 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
June 1, 2022: All lease termination and eviction protections are lifted

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 the 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.

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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