Administrators of the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program
PLEASE NOTE: If you are a household seeking assistance with past due rent or mortgage, please visit our COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program Questions and Answers webpage to learn more. The following information is ONLY for program administrators.
Background on the Program
The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program provides housing assistance to prevent homelessness and help maintain housing stability of individuals and families impacted by the public health-related emergency. The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Fund is funded with federal dollars through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which is authorized by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The program helps households that have been impacted by COVID-19 through unemployment, illness, or other COVID-19 related circumstances. Funds were awarded to administrators to help households that have a rent payment, mortgage payment, homeowner association dues, contract for deed payment, homeowner insurance payment, utility payment or other housing-related expenses incurred after March 1, 2020 that is past due.
Program Materials for Grant Administrators
- Program Guide (UPDATED September 23, 2020)
- Program Flyer (Administrators can use this flyer to promote the program and inform as many people as possible about the availability of the program and how to apply. Available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.)
- Income Calculation Worksheet
- Common Application Form (UPDATED September 4, 2020. Available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.)
- Release of Information and Certification Form (available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali)
- Appeal Process (Administrators can provide this document to households to explain the appeal process. Available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.)
Program Webinars
Question and Answer Webinars
Minnesota Housing's COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program team will be hosting a Q&A session every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:00-4:00 p.m. This will be an open hour for you to ask any questions you have as you launch this new program. We are grateful for all you are doing to support individuals and families and the rapid work to get the program up and running.
Click here to register! You will only need to register once for all of the sessions. If you have any questions about your registration, please email Elizabeth Dressel.
Watch and Listen to Webinars and Trainings
- Due Diligence Webinar (held on August 11, 2020) - Listen to the recording and view the slides.
- HousingLink Online Application Training (held on August 18, 2020) - Listen to the recording and view the slides (please note: the training was recorded again for better audio quality)
- Program Funding Disbursements (held on August 31, 2020) - Listen to the recording and view the slides.
Program FAQs
- COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program FAQs - Part 1 (updated July 21, 2020)
- COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program FAQs - Part 2 (UPDATED September 23, 2020)
- HousingLink Online Application Software FAQs
211 and HousingLink Technical Assistance
- HousingLink: If you have questions or need help navigating the online application system, please call 877.314.1401 (interpreter services are available) or email sunny@housinglink.org.
- 211 United Way: If you have questions or need help navigating the 211 central intake system, please email julie.ogunleye@gtcuw.org.
Reporting Documents
Administrators Information for Online Application
We want to add information to the HousingLink online application system so applicants can learn more about local administrators in their area. If you have not done so already, please email john.hawkinson@state.mn.us with the following information:
- One to two sentences describing your organization
- Language(s) spoken by your staff who will be available to help with COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program applicants
- Your organization's website address
Contact
If you have questions, please email mhfa.covidhap@state.mn.us.