More than 30,000 households annually use rental assistance through Minnesota Housing programs. Minnesota Housing has served an increasing number of households annually, especially those that identify as Indigenous, Black or households of color. In 2019, 11,543 of the 30,652 households served, or 38%, identified as Indigenous, Black or households of color. In 2024, 14,216 of the 36,494 households served, or 39%, identified as Indigenous, Black or households of color.

The increase in the number of households receiving rental assistance in 2024 is attributable to over 4,000 rental units being transferred to the Agency’s project-based Section 8 portfolio. Most of the units are in properties that converted from public housing to project-based rental assistance through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. This is not an increase in the number of units with assistance but a transfer of units from a program outside the Agency portfolio to one within it.

With the state’s new Bring It Home Rental Assistance Program ramping up operations in 2026, even more households will receive rental assistance with funding from Minnesota Housing in the future.
 

Our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan recognizes that some communities of shared identities, experiences or geographies disproportionally face housing instability and disparities in housing outcomes. These include people of color and people with disabilities. These communities are a priority because the current market is not working for them, and they experience barriers in accessing and navigating affordable housing.

Rental assistance is the most direct approach to making housing affordable but it can be difficult to access and navigate. Several Minnesota Housing programs provide rental assistance to low-income households either through portable housing vouchers or project-based assistance. Renters spend no more than 30% of their income on housing with this assistance.

This metric captures the number of households that receive rental assistance each fiscal year through Housing Trust Fund Rental Assistance, Bridges, or Homework Starts with Home programs or are residents of properties in Minnesota Housing’s project-based Section 8 or Section 811 portfolio. Minnesota Housing’s program year runs from October 1 through September 30.