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Affordable Rental Housing Information
For The Twin Cities & Selected Regions of
Minnesota

 
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Links to Other Organizations

Housing Information:
Housing Issue Resources:
Housing Services:


Housing Information

General Information

Some information from these resources can also be found in the HousingLink How-to Library.

Hennepin County Housing and Shelter
Information about housing and shelter resources, fair housing, and grants and resources.

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
A state agency that provides some information about certain types of housing.

  • Housing Resource ToolBox Housing information, particularly for older adults, people with disabilities, and the homeless.

Minnesota Housing (MHFA)
A state agency that provides financial customer assistance for decent, safe and affordable housing.

University of Minnesota Extension Service Info-U
Information about affordable housing and other housing related issues, plus other resources.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development--Minnesota Office (HUD-Minnesota)
Regional Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) office

Other general information resources:

Housing in St Paul
Information from the City of St Paul about housing. 

The McKnight Foundation
One of the "Hot Issues" profiled is affordable housing (4/02)

See also Senior and Specialized Housing category below.

Local Information and Referral

Disability Linkage Line
The Disability Linkage Line™ (1-866-333-2466) is a free information, referral and assistance service making it easier for people with disabilities to connect with community services and supports. (No website currently available).

MinnesotaHelp.info
A statewide online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota identify resources

Senior LinkAge Line
Senior LinkAge Line® (1-800-333-2433) is a free, statewide telephone information and assistance service which makes it easy for older adults and their families to find community services. 

United Way 2-1-1
Information about United Way's 2-1-1 Information and Referral Service and a link to the Twin Cities Beehive. From 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, United Way 2-1-1 may also have staff available to speak Hmong, Russian, Somali, and Spanish. Dial 2-1-1 or 651-291-0211 or visit the United Way 2-1-1 website

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NATIONAL

Federal Agencies

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The USDA oversees some rural and community development. Navigate to the Rural and Community Development pages. One useful link on the USDA website:
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Useful links on the HUD website include:

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National Organizations and Initiatives

Don't Borrow Trouble
Freddie Mac's "Don't Borrow Trouble" campaign combats predatory lending.

Enterprise
Enterprise develops and supports innovative models that also give people with limited incomes the tools and opportunities to become self-sufficient. Enterprise offers financial products and services that support the entire affordable housing and community development spectrum. Also advocates for federal and local policy in support of affordable housing and community development.

Fair Housing Law
Designed to increase public awareness of the Fair Housing Act and its protections, encourage the reporting of fair housing discrimination to the appropriate agencies, and provide information and resources to help communities and institutions support individuals and families who exercise their fair housing rights.

Housing and Community Development Knowledgeplex (from Fannie Mae) 
Fannie Mae's news, information and interactive forums for the affordable housing and community development field. 

  • Weekly Newsletter: a weekly review of housing news from across the nation. 
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
LISC provides grants, loans and equity investments to CDCs for neighborhood redevelopment.

National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
A nonprofit organization whose mission is to mobilize the nonprofit, public and private sectors of society in an alliance to end homelessness.

  • Weekly Newsletter: "Alliance Online News" 
National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH)
Organization focusing on housing justice, economic justice, health care justice, and civil rights. 

National Fair Housing Advocate Online (NFHAO)
The NFHAO is a resource designed to serve both the fair housing advocacy community and the general public with timely news and information regarding the issues of housing discrimination.

National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
A national organization dedicated solely to ending America’s affordable housing crisis. 

  • Weekly newsletter: "Memo to Members" covers national policy issues, resources, and upcoming events.
  • "Advocates' Guide to Housing & Community Development Policy" provides an overview of many housing programs. 
  • "Out of Reach Report" annual comparison of wages and rents
  • Housing Plus Services includes a housing plus services typology. 
National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness (NPACH) 
A national grassroots organization whose primary concern is to ensure that national homelessness policy accurately reflects the needs of local communities.

Novogradac & Company
A national consulting and certified public accounting firm specializing in affordable housing. 

  • Low Income Tax Credit information available in the Affordable Housing Resource Center. 
Technical Assistance Collaborative
TAC is a national nonprofit organization that works to achieve positive outcomes on behalf of people with disabilities, people who are homeless, and people with other special needs by providing state-of-the-art information, capacity building, and technical expertise to organizations and policymakers in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, human services, and affordable housing.
  • "Opening Doors" newsletter

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Housing Resources

Disaster Relief  

LOCAL

Minnesota Recovers

Minnesota Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management

NATIONAL  

Summary information about some federal program regulations: 

Novoco's Disaster Relief Information

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Legal Issues and Personal Advocacy

Includes links to resources on Fair Housing. Some information from these resources can also be found in the HousingLink How-to Library

Hennepin County Fair Housing
A resource designed to address housing discrimination by providing the public, city governments, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations and other interested parties with facts and resources regarding fair housing.

Hennepin County Housing Court

  • definitions of housing court terms
  • access to a database relating to unlawful detainers (eviction actions).
Homeline
A Tenants may speak with a tenant advocate who will provide free advice regarding Minnesota landlord/tenant law. The advocate will provide practical advice on the law and offer options for resolving the problem. The Homeline Tenant Hotline is free and available to all tenants, regardless of income. Dial (612) 728-5767 in the metro or (866) 866-3546 for Greater Minnesota.

Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners
A community-based grass roots outreach organization which serves low-income families, children and individuals of eight west suburban communities -- Plymouth, Wayzata, Long Lake, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Hamel, Medina and Medicine Lake.

LawHelpMN.org
A website helping low-income Minnesotans solve civil legal problems

  • includes a section about housing
  • referrals for Legal Services lawyers for low-income people in your area
  • self-help legal forms for housing court
  • fact sheets on housing and many other legal issues 
Minnesota Legal Services Coalition
Referrals for Legal Services lawyers for low-income people.
MHA Renters' Hotline
The Minnesota Multi Housing Association (MHA) has established a special hotline phone number for renters to find answers to common questions on subjects such as security deposits, leases, Certificates of Rent Paid, repairs and maintenance, cleaning, and giving notice to vacate. Dial 952-858-8222.

Minnesota Attorney General's Office
A state agency created to enforce Minnesota's laws. 

  • Housing Information
    Offers information for tenant, landlords and homeowners, including information on home building and remodeling, buying or selling a home, and the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.
Minnesota Landlord-Tenant Law
Offering a "Plain-Person's Guide to Minnesota Landlord-Tenant Law," a compilation of resources dealing with landlord-tenant laws in the state of Minnesota

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
Legal Assistance for low income people on critical legal problems.

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Planning, Preservation and Development

Central Minnesota Housing Partnership
Providing information and education, technical assistance, developing and implementing affordable housing programs, and rehabbing and developing housing projects in Central Minnesota

Family Housing Fund
The Fund supports the cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, the Metropolitan Council, and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency in their efforts to preserve and expand the region's supply of affordable housing.

Hennepin County Housing and Shelter
Information about housing and shelter resources, fair housing, and grants and resources. 

Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development department (CPED)
A department of the City of Minneapolis

Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD)
An association of community development organizations committed to expanding the wealth and resources of neighborhoods through housing and economic development initiatives.

Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP)
An organization supporting the creation and preservation of affordable housing to low-income families.

Metropolitan Council
A regional planning agency. 

  • See also Metro HRA in the housing authorities section above
St Paul Planning and Economic Development department (Saint Paul PED)
A department of the City of Saint Paul.

Twin Cities LISC
Twin Cities LISC combines corporate, government, and philanthropic support to provide Community Development Corporations (CDCs) with financial tools, technical assistance and policy support

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Property Ownership and Management

Minnesota Multi-Housing Association (MHA)
A nonprofit trade organization that serves professionals in the multi-housing industry through education and promotion of the highest ethical and performance standards.

National Apartment Association
NAA's mission is to serve the interests of multifamily housing owners, managers, developers and suppliers and maintain a high level of professionalism in the multifamily housing industry to better serve the rental housing needs of the public.

The National Multi Housing Council
A national association that advocates on behalf of the apartment industry and the approximately 16 million American households who live in apartment homes.

The St. Paul Association of Responsible Landlords
A non-profit education association for landlords, people interested in becoming landlords, and support services for the landlord industry.

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Public Policy and Other Initiatives

Changing the Face of Housing
An initiative seeking to increase the involvement of communities of color in the affordable housing process and decisions in Minnesota. 

Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
Through its community education, legislative advocacy, and organizing activities the Coalition works to prevent homelessness by helping communities design homeless response systems that meet their needs

Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH)
Organizes congregations in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area of Minnesota to create policy solutions to the affordable housing crisis.

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Housing Authorities
Section 8 and public housing information

Housing authorities administer public housing and/or Section 8 programs, in addition to providing other services and resources. You may also want to visit HousingLink's Housing Authority Waiting List page for additional housing authority contact information. 

Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Bloomington HRA)
The housing authority for the city of Bloomington. Oversees a public housing and Section 8 Voucher program.

Dakota County Community Development Agency (Dakota CDA)  
A county-wide, full-service resource center. Oversees a public housing and Section 8 Voucher program. 

Metro Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA) 
The Metropolitan Council  housing and redevelopment authority. Oversees the Section 8 Voucher program for a large part of the metropolitan area. 

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) 
The housing authority for the city of Minneapolis. Oversees a public housing and Section 8 Voucher program. 

Public Housing Agency of St Paul (St Paul PHA) 
The housing agency for the city of St Paul. Oversees a public housing and Section 8 Voucher program.

South St Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (South St Paul HRA) 
The housing agency for the city of South St Paul. Oversees a public housing and Section 8 Voucher program.

Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Washington County HRA) 
The housing authority for Washington County. Oversees a public housing and Section 8 Voucher program.

Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing & Redevelopment (SEMMCHRA)
The housing authority for Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Wabasha and Winona Counties. Oversees a public housing and Section 8 Voucher program.

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Resource Centers and Service Agencies

These agencies may help you with a housing search and other issues. Also, visit HousingLink's Contact Information page for additional resources. 

Central Minnesota Housing Partnership
providing information and education, technical assistance, developing and implementing affordable housing programs, and rehabbing and developing housing projects in Central Minnesota

Lutheran Social Service (LSS)

  • LSS operates a Housing Resource Center from 1:30PM to 3:30PM, Monday-Thursday, and can be reached at 612-879-5266. 
  • LSS is also a provider of transitional, supportive, and permanent scattered-site housing, but requires referrals. 

MNPhoneHelp.Com
A link to information about programs that provide assistance with paying phone bills. 

 

Home Ownership

City Living Program
Information about mortgage loans and home improvement loans offered through the City of Minneapolis

First Homes
First Homes is working to build 875 new starter homes for working families in a 30-mile radius of Rochester. In addition to the new rehab program near to downtown Rochester, First Homes has helped build single-family homes and rental units in Byron, Chatfield, Dover, Grand Meadow, Hayfield, Kasson, Pine Island, Plainview, Rochester, St. Charles and Spring Valley.

Hennepin County Housing and Shelter
Information about housing and shelter resources, fair housing, and grants and resources. 

Home Buyer Funds
A clearinghouse for prospective homeowners who want to purchase a home and current homeowners who want to repair their homes.

Home Ownership Center
The Minnesota Home Ownership Center promotes sustainable home ownership for low and moderate income Minnesotans through the development and delivery of quality, standardized education, counseling and related support services.

Home Stretch
Home Ownership Center's pre-purchase education program.

Minnesota Attorney General's Office
The Homebuyer's Handbook includes information about and tips for buying a home. 

 

Housing Providers and Roommate Services

The following are some property management and ownership and similar organizations which have websites. 

CommonBond Communities
A large, nonprofit provider of affordable housing for families, seniors, and people with special needs in Minnesota.

Dream Center of St. Cloud
A provider of shelter, transitional housing and support services, located in St Cloud.

Rochester Real Estate Directory
Guide to rental residential living in Rochester & surrounding communities.

Roommate Referrals
A confidential roommate matching service for people in the Twin Cities. 

The Goodman Group
A provider of affordable multi-family housing in Minnesota, including communities willing to accept tenant-based subsidies.

Shelter Corporation
A provider of affordable multi-family housing in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including project-based communities and communities willing to accept tenant-based subsidies.

Thies and Talle
A provider with over 70 properties in six Midwestern states, including communities willing to accept tenant-based subsidies.

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Senior and Specialized Housing

The following are some resources that provide information about housing for particular populations, such as people with disabilities or seniors. 

A Place for Mom
A Place for Mom is a free eldercare referral service. They provide comprehensive resources about senior housing and eldercare options to seniors and families in need.

Assisted Living Facilities
Facilites information, assisted living and senior news.

BenefitsCheckUp
BenefitsCheckUp is the nation's most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources.

Live Smoke Free
Live Smoke Free offers a listing of smoke-free apartments in Minnesota and provides a model smoke-free lease addendum. Live Smoke Free also has information for owners and managers of apartment buildings, new renters and renters having problems with secondhand smoke in their apartment, and for policy makers and community organizations.

The Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL)
A non-profit organization whose purpose is to advocate for the independent living needs of people with disabilities who are citizens of the State of Minnesota, to develop new resources, identify and provide access to existing resources which provide the services needed by persons with disabilities so that they may live independently in the situation and community of their choice.

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)

  • Housing Resource ToolBox
    Housing information, particularly for older adults, people with disabilities, and the homeless.
Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance
The Consumer Information section contains basic information on adult day care, senior housing, nursing homes, home care and other community-based services.

MinnesotaHelp.info
A statewide online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota identify resources

Senior Housing Directory
A resource offering comprehensive information on housing and related services, particularly for seniors in Minnesota

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Additional links will be added as this page is further developed. If your organization would like to offer a link on this page please contact us.  We will be happy to consider adding a link to your organization onto this page. 

 

Linking to HousingLink's website
Other organizations are welcome to link to HousingLink from their websites. However, be aware that information within the site may move. In most cases, it may be best to simply link to HousingLink's home page at www.housinglink.org.

Please let us know if you have trouble with a link. 


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