State Launches $100 Million Housing Assistance Effort

TWIN CITIES, MN — At West Broadway Crescent Apartments Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced a $100 million housing assistance program to help prevent evictions, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability for individuals and families impacted by COVID-19.

The $100 million investment will be funded with federal dollars through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was authorized by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has hit families across the state hard. I’ve said throughout this fight that my top priority is Minnesotans’ safety, health, and wellbeing. And we know that stable housing is key to safety, health, and wellbeing," Walz stated.

"We hope this program will bring some relief to Minnesotans across the state who are struggling to afford their bills because of the pandemic."

The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Tuesday also launched a COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program Request for Proposals to select local organizations to administer the housing assistance program.

Grants will be made to local administrators to provide outreach; accept and process applications from households requesting assistance; validate household eligibility; and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households to help maintain housing stability.

Local grant administrators will be selected in the coming weeks, and Minnesota Housing anticipates Minnesotans can begin applying for assistance with local grant administrators in the first part of August.

"This housing assistance will allow Minnesotans to stay safe and stay home while we endure the effects of a pandemic," said Housing Commissioner Jennifer Leimaile Ho.

"At the same time, we must keep the need to create and preserve more housing front and center. We need more housing."