Quick answer
Minnesota rent relief now comes from two real programs. Emergency Assistance, run by counties and tribes, pays back rent, a deposit, or utility arrears for households facing eviction, foreclosure, or shutoff, generally once in 12 months, with income limits, and you do not need to be on MFIP. FHPAP, funded by Minnesota Housing, pays rent deposits, rent, and utilities for households at or below 200% of the poverty line in a housing crisis, through providers in all counties and several tribal nations. RentHelpMN and its Targeted Assistance successor are permanently closed, and federal ERA funding ended September 30, 2025. Apply through MNbenefits and dial 211 for your FHPAP provider. Applying is free.
Key facts
- RentHelpMN is permanently closed. Minnesota Housing says the original program and the Targeted Assistance program were one-time federally funded programs that will not reopen; no payments were reissued after April 15, 2025.
- Emergency Assistance: county or tribal grant for eviction, foreclosure, or shutoff emergencies; usually once per 12 months; not tied to MFIP.
- FHPAP: rent deposits, rent, and utility payments for households at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines with a housing crisis; funds are limited.
- Housing Choice Vouchers through local housing and redevelopment authorities provide ongoing help, with waiting lists.
- No legitimate program charges a fee to apply.
Table of contents
- Is RentHelpMN or any statewide Minnesota rent relief still open?
- How does county Emergency Assistance pay rent?
- How does FHPAP work?
- What other rent help exists in Minnesota?
- What if I already have an eviction notice?
- What documents do I need to bring?
- How do I apply, step by step?
- Related guides
- Frequently asked questions
Is RentHelpMN or any statewide Minnesota rent relief still open?
No. RentHelpMN, Minnesota’s pandemic emergency rental assistance program, closed to new applications on January 28, 2022. Its follow-up, RentHelpMN – Targeted Assistance, is also closed; Minnesota Housing states that both were one-time, federally funded programs that will not reopen and that no Targeted Assistance payments would be reissued after April 15, 2025, on its RentHelpMN page. The federal source has ended: the U.S. Treasury states that the ERA2 period of performance closed on September 30, 2025, on its Emergency Rental Assistance page.
Watch out: “RentHelpMN application” sites that charge a fee are scams. The real programs below are free and run by counties, tribes, and Minnesota Housing providers.
How does county Emergency Assistance pay rent?
Minnesota is one of the few states with a standing emergency grant written into its welfare system. The Department of Human Services describes Emergency Assistance as a county- or tribe-administered cash grant for households facing emergencies such as eviction, foreclosure, or utility shutoff, on its income assistance page. In practice:
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it pays | Back rent to stop an eviction, a deposit or first month’s rent to move, mortgage arrears, or utility arrears, paid to the landlord or vendor |
| Who | Households with children (Emergency Assistance); adults without children may qualify for Emergency General Assistance where the county offers it |
| Income | Must meet income guidelines; the county also checks that the emergency was not caused by refusing available resources |
| How often | Generally not if you received EA in the past 12 months; some counties require a longer wait |
| MFIP required? | No |
| How to apply | MNbenefits online, or in person at your county or tribal human services office; bring the notice |
How does FHPAP work?
The Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program is Minnesota Housing’s standing homelessness prevention fund. According to the Minnesota Housing FHPAP page, it helps low-income families with or without children, unaccompanied youth, and single adults who are homeless or about to become homeless, with rent deposits, rent payments, and utility payments. Eligibility is household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines plus a housing crisis, assessed by the local FHPAP provider, and funds are limited and may not be available for all households. There are providers in all Minnesota counties and several tribal nations; Minnesota Housing’s page lists them by county, and 211 can direct you to yours.
FHPAP is often the better fit when you are not yet in an emergency the county recognizes, or when EA has already been used in the past year.
What other rent help exists in Minnesota?
- Housing Choice Vouchers. Ongoing rent subsidy through your city or county housing and redevelopment authority; waiting lists open and close, so apply to every list you qualify for.
- Homelessness prevention (ESG). HUD Exchange lists homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing among the uses of Emergency Solutions Grants in its program requirements; in Minnesota, FHPAP providers and coordinated entry are usually the door.
- Charities. Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and church funds pay landlords directly, usually once; reach them through 211.
- Energy help to free up cash. The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (Commerce) pays heating bills, with initial benefits averaging about $550 and up to $1,400; find your provider at EnergyHelp.us or 1-866-674-6327. LIHEAP never charges a fee.
- Cash for families. The Diversionary Work Program and MFIP through MNbenefits.
What if I already have an eviction notice?
- Apply for Emergency Assistance immediately and tell the county you have a court date.
- Go to court. Minnesota eviction hearings are scheduled quickly; many courts have housing court help desks and mediation.
- Call legal aid. Minnesota’s legal aid offices and the Minnesota eviction help resources represent low-income tenants at no cost; ask 211.
- Get the landlord’s written agreement to accept a payment from the county or FHPAP and dismiss the case.
What documents do I need to bring?
Most rent programs make a decision at the first appointment if your paperwork is complete, and send you home if it is not. Gather these before you call:
| Document | Why the agency needs it |
|---|---|
| Photo ID for the applicant | Identity and residency |
| Current lease or rental agreement | Proves the rent amount and that you are the tenant |
| Notice to vacate, shutoff notice, or court papers | Shows the emergency; some funds require it |
| Proof of income for the last 30 days, or a signed statement of no income | Most funds have income limits |
| Proof of the hardship (layoff letter, medical bill, repair estimate) | Many funds require a cause beyond an ongoing shortfall |
| Landlord’s name, phone, and mailing address | Payments go to the landlord or vendor, not to you |
| Social Security numbers or ITINs for household members | Required by many public programs; many charities do not ask |
Bring originals and keep photos on your phone. If an agency says funds are gone, ask which fund in the county still has money this week; caseworkers usually know.
How do I apply, step by step?
- Apply through MNbenefits for Emergency Assistance (and SNAP, MFIP, and health coverage in the same application), or at your county or tribal office.
- Dial 211 for your FHPAP provider, charities, and legal aid.
- Apply for a Housing Choice Voucher with your local HRA.
- Apply for Energy Assistance with your local provider to free up money for rent.
Applying is free. Counties, tribes, Minnesota Housing providers, 211, HRAs, and charities never charge to apply.
For more specifics, see our guides on Minnesota hardship relief and emergency rent relief by state.
Related guides
- Programs that help pay rent
- Immediate hotel vouchers for people who are homeless
- Utility relief and LIHEAP by state
- Housing help: vouchers, affordable housing, and paths to owning
Frequently asked questions
Is Minnesota rent relief still available?
Yes, through county Emergency Assistance and FHPAP providers, plus charities and Housing Choice Vouchers. The pandemic RentHelpMN program is permanently closed.
How often can I get Minnesota Emergency Assistance for rent?
Generally once in a 12-month period; some counties require a longer wait. You do not have to be on MFIP.
Who qualifies for FHPAP in Minnesota?
Households, including single adults and youth, with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines who are homeless or about to be, as assessed by the local FHPAP provider. Funds are limited.
Who do I call for rent help in Minnesota?
Apply through MNbenefits or your county, and dial 211 for your FHPAP provider, charities, and legal aid.
Can single adults get rent help in Minnesota?
Yes. FHPAP serves single adults, some counties offer Emergency General Assistance, and charities and vouchers are open to everyone who qualifies.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on October 24, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
- Minnesota Housing: RentHelpMN and Targeted Assistance (permanently closed)
- Minnesota Housing: Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program
- Minnesota Department of Human Services: income and cash assistance programs (Emergency Assistance)
- U.S. Treasury: Emergency Rental Assistance program status
- HUD Exchange: Emergency Solutions Grants program requirements
- EnergyHelp.us: LIHEAP office search and hotline (HHS)
- 211.org: find your local 211
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice, and not an application. County rules and funding change; confirm with your county, tribe, or FHPAP provider. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency.
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email support@nationalreliefprogram.org.
