Housing Resources

If you are 18+ and currently experiencing a housing emergency in Hennepin County, please call the Hennepin Shelter Hotline at 612-204-8200, or visit the below online resources:

https://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/coordinated-entry 

https://simpsonhousing.org/programs/adult-shelter-connect/ 

https://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/emergency-assistance 

Rapid Rehousing Program

The Vail Communities Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program connects prospective renters to local market-rate vacancies. In addition, short-term financial assistance, renter education, and tenancy supports are provided to program participants to best achieve positive rental outcomes. This program transitions unhoused adults, who are actively staying in Hennepin County emergency shelters, to a new home. The Vail Communities RRH Case Managers help individuals to obtain housing in a timely fashion, ensure tenant lease requirements are being met, administer rental assistance as needed, and offer ongoing supports to maintain housing placements long-term. Before becoming a participant of the Vail Communities RRH program, individuals must have an assessment conducted by the local shelter they are staying at and get formally referred to our program by the Coordinated Entry System (more info at the link below). Once enrolled, a Vail Communities RRH Case Manager is assigned to support in finding the right kind of housing based on a person’s needs and preferences. How to access RRH services: https://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/coordinated-entry

Transitional Rent Assistance Program

This program offers short-term tenant-based subsidy assistance, powered by donations from Ken and Janet Talle, to qualifying Vail Communities members. Income-based rental assistance is provided as needed to those who are waiting for their name to reach the top of permanent subsidized wait-lists, or actively increasing their earnings to achieve program graduation through reaching self-sufficiency. Participants also receive ongoing tenancy supports from our housing team to ensure their housing is sustained and successful. This program waitlist for new applicants is currently closed.

Hamilton House

The St. Louis Park Housing Authority owns and operates this project-based subsidized property, dedicated to offering safe and affordable housing to eligible low-income households. Vail Communities has an on-site ROSS Service Coordinator providing tenancy supports to residents of Hamilton House apartments. Those eligible for public housing pay 30% of their adjusted income for rent. Wait-list applications are accepted and managed by the St. Louis Park Housing Authority and must meet eligibility requirements to apply. How to apply for the Hamilton House wait-list: https://www.stlouisparkmn.gov/government/departments-divisions/housing/rental-assistance-housing-authority/public-housing 

Dow Towers

The Hopkins Housing Authority owns and operates this project-based subsidized property, dedicated to offering safe and affordable housing to eligible low-income households. Vail Communities has an on-site ROSS Service Coordinator providing tenancy supports to residents of Dow Towers apartments. Those eligible for public housing pay 30% of their adjusted income for rent. Wait-list applications are accepted and managed by the Hopkins Housing Authority and must meet eligibility requirements to apply. How to apply for the Dow Towers wait-list: https://www.hopkinsmn.com/228/Public-Housing 

Vail in the Park

Vail Communities owns an eight-unit project-based subsidized building in St. Louis Park. Qualified tenants pay a rent amount that equals 30% of their monthly income, and receive ongoing tenancy supports from our housing team to ensure their housing is sustained and successful. This program waitlist for new applicants is currently closed.

Louisiana Court

Vail Communities offers tenancy sustaining services to eighteen units of affordable apartment rentals in St. Louis Park. These units are filled through a closed referral source and are reserved for individuals meeting HUD’s definition of Long-Term Homeless. Tenants pay 30% of their income and receive ongoing tenancy supports from our housing team to ensure their housing is maintained and successful.

Hennepin County Housing Resources

Information and Referrals

Front Door: (612) 328-4111

United Way First Call for Help: (651) 291-0211

Financial Aid/Economic Assistance

• Families: (612) 596-1900
• Singles: (612) 596-1300

Opportunity Centers

• Youth: (612) 252-1200, 41 North 12th Street, Minneapolis
• Adult: (612) 204-8300, 740 East 17th Street, Minneapolis

Psychiatric Emergencies (COPE): (612) 596-1223

Minnesota Legal Aid: (612) 334-5970

Housing Legal Advocacy (HomeLine): (612) 728-5767

Homeless Assistance

To Access Emergency Shelter:

• Metro Shelter Hotline: 1-888-234-1329
• Singles (Adult Shelter Connect): (612) 248-2350
• Families (Hennepin County Shelter Team): (612) 348-9410
• Battered Women’s Hotline: (651) 646-0994

Resources

Youth

• South Minneapolis (Hope Street): (612) 204-8211
• North Minneapolis (Avenues): (612) 522-1690
• Northwest Suburbs (YMCA): (763) 493-3052
• South Suburbs (Oasis for Youth): (952) 512-2061

Families or Singles

• Minneapolis (St. Stephens): (612) 871-0311
• South Minneapolis (Sabathani): (612) 821-2399
• Northwest Suburbs (CEAP): (763) 566-9600
• West Suburbs (PRISM): (763) 529-1350
• South Suburbs (VEAP): (952) 888-9616

Information on Subsidized Housing

There are two types of subsidized housing; Tenant-Based (vouchers) & Project-Based (income-based buildings).

Tenant-Based Subsidies

There are many types of tenant-based voucher programs that have varying eligibility requirements (Section 8, Shelter + Care, Bridges, VASH), with Section 8 being the most common, and often the term used to describe subsidies in general. Section 8 is a government-funded program that assists low-income households in paying their rent on private, market-rate rental units. The rent amount a tenant is responsible for will be 30% to 40% of the household’s adjusted gross income. The assigned Housing Authority will then pay the remaining portion of rent directly to the property. If a tenant moves, the voucher stays with them and can be utilized at a new property.

Waiting-lists for vouchers are often long or closed, but are free to apply for when available. To qualify for a Section 8 voucher, you must fall within Minnesota’s income limits. For a list of which Housing Authorities currently have open waiting-lists, information on landlords who accept vouchers, as well as area income limits, visit Housinglink.org

Project-Based Subsidies

In this type of subsidy, rental assistance is tied to the building, rather than being attached to the tenant. Project-based buildings can be publicly owned by HUD or privately owned by an owner with a contract with HUD. If a tenant moves out of a project-based unit, the subsidy does not go with them. Often times, rental cost is 30% of the household adjusted gross income. There may be a variety of housing types available through this program including single-family homes, townhomes, or apartments.

Interested applicants must apply to each individual property that participates in the program, with some properties having tenant requirements such as a minimum age or disability. Waiting-lists for these properties vary in length but are frequently free to apply to. Once you are selected from a waiting list, you may be invited to tour the property and offered a unit; however, there may be a limited number of available units to choose from.

Individuals can search for these units via Housinglink.org. Simply enter your county of preference and check “Subsidized housing” in the search filter, to view which project-based Section 8 and public housing units have open wait-lists. Ask the property manager what their screening criteria is for applicants, and if there are any policies that automatically disqualify prospective renters.

Other project-based programs operate in a similar manner, including: Section 202, Section 236, Section 515 for rural areas, and Section 811.

Supportive Housing Types

Finding the right type of housing depends on an individual’s income, needs, and preferences. Visit mn.hb101.org/nav/programs to navigate the many different options and compare various housing types.

A brief description of common housing types:

• Board and Lodge: Settings with a license from the Department of Health that provide meals, lodging, and basic accommodations. Settings vary widely, including Intensive Residential Treatment, emergency shelters, and transitional housing.
• Adult Foster Care: Settings for 4-5 people with disabilities that provides food, lodging, supervision, individualized services, and protection. Services are often waiver-funded.
• Assisted Living / Customized Living: Settings providing up to 24 hour, long term customized supportive services and meals in site-based settings. Services are often waiver-funded.
• Permanent Supportive Housing: model of housing that is affordable and offers voluntary housing stability services to people with disabilities experiencing long-term homelessness.
• Transitional Housing: Medium-term (up to 24 months) affordable housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.
• Rapid Rehousing: Short- to medium-term (up to 24 months, most often 3-6 months) housing access services, rental subsidy, and case management for people experiencing homelessness.

Asking Good Questions

When you are seeking housing assistance and actually calling or meeting with potential landlords and housing providers, it’s a good idea to ask the right questions to get maximum information and increase your chances of receiving the housing arrangement that’s right for you. We encourage you to follow this process:

• Write down the address and description of the building.
• Ask if there are any openings for your desired bedroom size and if not, when they may be available.
• If there are no current openings, ask when you should call/inquire about openings again.
• Ask about their selection criteria for new tenants.
• Ask if you work with people who have marks on their background check (if applicable).
• Ask if rental subsidies are accepted (if applicable).
• Ask how much the application fee is.
• Ask if a security deposit is required and if so, how much.
• Ask which utilities, if any, are included in rent.
• Ask if pets are allowed, and if there is a separate security deposit for pets (if applicable).