Not too late to apply for rent/mortgage assistance; deadline is Dec 7

If you need assistance due to the impact of COVID-19, there are still state resources available but time to apply is running out.

“We want Minnesotans who can’t make rent or pay another housing-related bill for December to know they have until midnight Monday to contact 211 for help,” said Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho. “There are still COVID-19 housing assistance funds available. And getting help is a win-win for everyone.”

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on Thursday encouraged Minnesotans who are behind on their rent, mortgage, or utility payments to apply for the Administration’s Housing Assistance Program.

Minnesotans seeking housing assistance should call 211 or apply at 211unitedway.org by Monday, December 7, at midnight. Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 211 Resource Helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions.

“The importance of stable housing has never been clearer than during this pandemic,” said Governor Walz. “As Minnesotans struggle to make ends meet, we are taking action to help people keep their homes and to provide options for people without a home. We know more is needed, and that’s why we will be working to get additional funds in the upcoming special session.”

At the beginning of the pandemic, Governor Walz issued an eviction moratorium tied to the peacetime emergency that prevents residents from being evicted from their homes due to non-payment. Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan then announced the $100 million Housing Assistance Program on July 14, 2020.

Since then, more than 28,000 Minnesotans have applied from every corner of the state, requesting more than $67 million in assistance. With the support of the Minnesota State Legislature, more than $190 million total dollars in state and federal assistance have also been directed to housing stability and homelessness during the pandemic.

“Safe and stable housing is a public health issue, which is why we have made housing and homelessness a cornerstone of our COVID-19 response,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.

“We need to sustain support at all levels of government to keep people housed, to connect people with housing, and to create protective spaces for people to weather this long winter.”