This is a one-year program, with funds expected to be spent by Septemand a spending deadline of December 31, 2021. The remaining 10% of the funding will likely be available for administrative costs and case management and other service costs, although much remains to be determined in this area. The assistance is for low-income renter households at or below 80% of area median income (AMI), with a priority for households below 50% AMI and households that have been unemployed 90+ days.Įligible rental assistance expenses, which we expect will use at least 90% of the funding, will likely include rent, utilities, rent and utility arrears, and other direct rental housing related costs. Clay County has received 6.6 million from the U.S. Subject to funding availability, the assistance is expected to be available for past-due and prospective rent for three months at a time, for up to 12 months. 116-260) established the 25 billion Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. We are waiting for more information about how the distribution will work. The State of Minnesota will receive at least 55% of the total funding, and cities and counties with populations above 200,000 can receive direct funding for up to 45% of the total. The high-level summary of the anticipated new program includes: There are significant details and timing-related issues that need to be resolved, and we do not yet know when the funding will be available for renters to access. The new emergency rental assistance program has several key differences from the previous COVID-19 Housing Assistance program that Minnesota Housing offered, which requires more time to evaluate. The Relief package includes $25 billion in emergency rental assistance that will provide an estimated $375 million to Minnesota from the federal government. The Eviction Moratorium is Endingīackground on the Federal COVID-19 Relief PackageĬongress passed a COVID Relief package as part of the omnibus funding package on December 21 and it was signed into law on December 27, 2020. Please use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Firefox. Please note: the eNews sign-up link doesn't work in Internet Explorer. Sign up for email updates about RentHelpMN. Visit to learn more about the program and eligibility requirements and to apply. The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about RentHelpMN, 8:00 a.m. To apply for RentHelpMN, please visit or call 211. The RAP provides aid to households that are unable to pay rent or utilities due to economic constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that RentHelpMN is in Phase One, in which people with past due rent who meet eligibility requirements are invited to apply. The City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County were awarded funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to launch our Emergency Rental Assistance Program or RAP. It also makes provisions for those at risk of falling behind on rent payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. RentHelpMN makes it possible for eligible renters to get caught up on overdue rent and utilities dating back to March 13, 2020. Minnesota Housing is pleased to announce that RentHelpMN is now open and accepting applications. RentHelpMN COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Minnesota Housing's Response to COVID-19.Need Help Finding or Paying for Rental Housing?.