The State of Minnesota has officially launched RentHelpMN, an effort to get emergency rental assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leveraging about $375 million in federal assistance, a partnership of several counties and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul will be dispersing the money to renters. This is for those who need help paying rent and utilities to avoid eviction.
Assistance can cover up to 15 months of past rent or utilities beginning March 2020, and three months’ worth of future rent.
“I’m a renter and every month I make my rent payment. And it’s the single, biggest payment I make. If you’ve not been able to keep up with rent and utilities, we have help and we have hope,” Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
In order to qualify, Minnesota residents must rent and have past due bills, qualify for unemployment or were “negatively impacted” by COVID-19. For more on qualifications and how to apply, go to RentHelpMN.org.
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho says the program is brand new, so it may take a bit for payments to make it to individuals.
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