Minnesota Housing Initiatives

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Multifamily Rental Assistance

Minnesota Housing Multifamily Rental Assistance offers three programs for eligible individuals and families.

Housing Trust Fund Rental Assistance
The Minnesota Legislature established the Housing Trust Fund in 1988 to support the development of affordable housing for low-income persons and families. Revenue for the Housing Trust Fund is generated from the interest earnings on real estate broker's trust accounts; interest accrued on revenue bond application fees and forfeited fees; and state appropriated funds.

The 2001 Minnesota Legislature, at the request of the Agency, made substantial changes to the Housing Trust Fund program. One of the major changes included the expansion of activities allowed under the program. Historically, the program was used for capital funding only. Now eligible activities are expanded to include rental assistance and housing operating support.

For rental assistance funding, there are three options: tenant-based, sponsor-based, and project-based rental assistance. Housing Trust Fund rental assistance is intended to be temporary in nature and to provide assistance through an Administrator to an individual household or through the owner of an Agency-financed development approved to receive project-based rental assistance.

Program Information for Administrators
Rental Assistance Information for Tenants
 

Bridges Program Information
In 1991, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) received legislative funding to begin a housing initiative for persons with mental illness, modeled after the Section 8 program.  Two years later, Minnesota Housing was authorized and appropriated state funds to operate a rental assistance program for persons with mental illness.  Funds were later designated from Minnesota Housing’s Ending Long Term Homeless Initiative Fund (ELHIF) to be used in the Bridges program for participants meeting both program requirements.  Currently, both DHS and Minnesota Housing administer the Bridges program. 

Bridges provides a rental subsidy for persons with serious mental illness who may or may not also be long-term homeless.  Participants must be eligible to receive a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher subsidy or currently on Section 8 waiting lists. The Bridges program is administered to participants by the local housing agency in communities where eligible applicants live. Referral to the program must be made by a mental health professional.

The Bridges Program is administered to participants by the local housing agency in communities where eligible applicants live.  Referral to the program must be made by a Mental Health Professional.

2011-2013 Bridges Grant Renewal Application - Currently Closed


Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
To address housing needs for low-income persons who are living with HIV/AIDS and their families, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) manages the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program. Funds are distributed to states and cities by formula allocations and made available as part of the area's Consolidated Plan. In addition, some projects are selected in national competitions to serve as service delivery models or operate in non-formula areas. Grantees partner with nonprofit organizations and housing agencies to provide housing and support to beneficiaries.

The HOPWA Program was authorized through the HUD Housing and Community Development Act of 1992. Since 1999, Minnesota Housing has been the State’s administrator for the HOPWA Formula Funds, providing housing assistance and support services to people outside the 13 county Twin Cities metro area. The City of Minneapolis receives the formula allocation for the 13 county Twin Cities Eligible Metropolitan Area.