Rent Assistance in Minnesota

Last checked: November 2026. Benefits Explorer is a directory. We do not provide rent money or decide who gets help, and each program makes its own decisions.

RentHelpMN stopped taking applications in January 2022, so Minnesota renters now go through three separate doors. Minnesota Housing points people at risk of homelessness, or who need a security deposit, to a Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) provider. Short-term emergency requests go to your county. Longer-term rental help runs through a regional Continuum of Care.

The Twin Cities add their own programs. Hennepin County has RentHelpHennepin and a Tenant Resource Connection line. St. Paul runs a monthly lottery for one-time rent payments, with a two-day application window at the start of each month.

Where to Start in Minnesota

Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP)

Minnesota Housing directs people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or needing security deposit help, to a local FHPAP provider. Find yours on the service area map linked from the Housing Help page. Ask what funds the provider has now.

Visit website · Phone: 800-657-3769 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

County emergency assistance

Minnesota Housing tells people needing short-term emergency help to contact their county, which can also direct you to shelter. Rules and amounts vary by county, so call your county human services office.

Visit website · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Continuum of Care rental assistance and Bring It Home

Minnesota Housing says to apply for rental assistance by contacting a Continuum of Care provider for your region, through the Coordinated Entry System. It also lists Bring It Home Rental Assistance for long-term subsidies. Ask the provider about current openings and any wait.

Visit website · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

HOME Line tenant hotline

A free, confidential hotline for renters statewide, run by a tenant advocacy nonprofit. It answers legal questions by phone or email and does not take walk-ins. Toll-free from Greater Minnesota: 866-866-3546. Spanish: 612-255-8870. Somali: 612-255-8860. Hmong: 612-255-7104.

Visit website · Phone: 612-728-5767 · Accepting applications when last checked

Local Rent Help in Minnesota

RentHelpHennepin (Hennepin County, including Minneapolis)

The county's eviction prevention page sends renters at risk of eviction here to see whether they are eligible for rent assistance. The City of Minneapolis says it partnered with the county on an additional $2 million in emergency rent support in 2026.

Visit website · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Tenant Resource Connection (Hennepin County)

Supports county residents at risk of eviction or homelessness and helps them understand the eviction process, with fewer stops between community resources. If you reach voicemail, leave a message and staff will call back.

Visit website · Phone: 612-767-9737 · Accepting applications when last checked

Hennepin County emergency short-term help (Hennepin County)

For a financial crisis that directly threatens health or safety. Covers items such as temporary shelter and housing costs like damage deposits. Apply at mnbenefits.org or with form DHS-5223 by mail. A phone interview is required. Help line hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; toll-free 844-803-8466.

Visit website · Phone: 612-596-1300 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

St. Paul Emergency Rent Assistance Program (City of St. Paul)

A one-time payment of up to $3,500 for late rent and fees, paid to the landlord, per the city. You need an active lease in city limits, a recent unforeseen event, a 30-day Notice to Quit or Housing Court Summons, and income at or below 80% of area median income. Applications open at 9 a.m. on the 1st and close at 4:30 p.m. on the 2nd, with dates shifting when the 1st falls on a weekend. Because of demand, applicants enter a lottery, and selection does not assure funding.

Visit website · Phone: 651-266-6671 · Accepting applications when last checked

Facing Eviction in Minnesota?

Before filing over unpaid rent, a landlord must give a detailed 14-day written notice, required since January 1, 2024. A court hearing must take place within 7 to 14 days after the summons is issued. Locking out a tenant without a court order is a misdemeanor. Only a law enforcement officer can physically remove a tenant, after a court issues a writ, and you must receive it at least 24 hours before removal. Read the official guidance

Free or low-cost legal help: LawHelpMN. Run by Legal Services State Support, a project of the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition. It lists legal aid providers and clinics across the state, plus a self-help library including fact sheets for renters. Visit website

This page is general information, not legal advice. Don't ignore a notice or court papers, because eviction deadlines can be short.

Minnesota Programs That Have Closed

You may still see these programs online. Check before you spend time on an application.

  • RentHelpMN: The state's federally funded pandemic rent program. Minnesota House Session Daily reported that Minnesota Housing set a January 28, 2022 application deadline as federal funding ran out.

More Help in Minnesota

Want other options? See our full rent assistance guide, including how to spot a scam, or see your options. That form is not an application for rent assistance. If you submit it, Benefits Explorer and its partners may contact you.

Minnesota Rent Assistance Questions

Is RentHelpMN still open?

No. It stopped accepting applications in January 2022. Minnesota Housing's current Housing Help page instead sends renters to FHPAP providers, counties and Continuum of Care providers.

Can I get help with a security deposit in Minnesota?

Minnesota Housing lists security deposit help under FHPAP providers, so start with the service area map. In Hennepin County, emergency short-term help also lists damage deposits as a possible housing cost.

How does the St. Paul rent lottery work?

Apply online or by phone during the window at the start of the month. The city then runs a lottery and sends status notices a few days later. Both tenant and landlord must complete applications, and households can receive this once a year.

Rent Assistance in Nearby States

Most programs only help people who live in their state. If you are moving or live near a state line, you can also check:

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