Resources for Renters

In a city where 46% of all renters are cost burdened (spending more than 1/3 of their income on rent), we know how important it is to have resources to support renters, especially during a pandemic. Below are a list of resources for a variety of issues facing renters. We hope something below can help you or a neighbor!

Emergency or Assistance Funds

These are ongoing funding sources that may be able to provide financial assistance to low-income renters.

• Minneapolis Renter Coalition Renter Support Fund - Application is open 9/25-9/29 to apply for three months of assistance.

• Hennepin County Emergency Assistance - many other programs require that you try Hennepin County first, so we recommend you apply as soon as possible

• Align Emergency Rental Assistance - Minneapolis Residents, need denial from Hennepin County

• Cradle of Hope - emergency assistance for brand new mothers (pregnant - child under 4 months old)

• Salvation Army - funding for households with children, first come first serve

• Mutual Aid Networks - try FB groups or places like Women For Political Change, Black Visions Transformation Fund, Twin Cities DSA (see list below)

• Bridges Rental Assistance For low-income people with mental illness

Utility Assistance

These programs can support utilities cost, which can often be a difficulty for renters who are cost-burdened.

• Community Action Partnership - Energy and Water Utility Assistance

• Department of Commerce Energy Assistance Program

• Salvation Army Utility Assistance

Finding Housing you can Afford

These agencies can help you get on ongoing housing assistance or voucher programs or help you access affordable housing

• Lutheran Social Services

• Housing & Urban Development Section 8 info

• Hennepin County Coordinated Entry - for those currently homeless

• St. Stephen’s

• HousingLink Apartment Search

Legal Aid

These resources can help you if you have a legal question or need a lawyer

• Mid MN Legal Aid - free legal counsel to low-income renters, particularly to people who are facing eviction

• Legal Rights Center - free legal support for low-income people

• Volunteer Lawyers Network - Free support for low-income people (civil matters only)

• Online legal assistance - free online legal counsel for low-income people

• Lawyer Referral - for those that don’t qualify for low-income services. 30 min for $30

• HOMELine - free legal advice for renters from lawyers who are experts in renters’ rights

Emergency Shelter

If you need immediate shelter, try one of these resources

• Youth Link - for young people ages 16-23

• Adult Shelter Connect - Call 612.248.2350 to find shelter for adults without children

• Family Shelter Connect - call 612-348-9410. On holidays, weekends, and evenings until 11 p.m., call 211 (mobile: 651-291-0211) and ask for the after-hours shelter team.

• Tubman - shelter and support for people who have experienced domestic violence or abuse

Tenants Rights

To brush up on your rights as a renter and do your own research, these resources have a lot of info

• Law Help MN - overview of tenant rights

• Law Help MN - Housing Discrimination

Organize

To organize with your fellow renters, this info may be helpful

• Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia Organizing tools and resources

Mutual Aid

This is a list of mutual aid funds that may be able to help financially as well

• Leveler Peer-To-Peer Wealth Redistribution - Rolling deadline, National fund for people affected by COVID-19

• COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Trans Folks - Rolling deadline, National fund for trans people affected by COVID-19

• Art Leaders of Color Emergency Fund - Rolling deadline, National fund for BIPOC artists and administrators

• Rebellion Relief Fund - local fund for black and brown people who have given birth