What Low-Income Housing Options Exist in Minnesota

Minnesota has three main paths to affordable housing: Section 8 vouchers administered by local housing authorities, public housing owned and operated by those same authorities, and tax-credit apartments built with federal funding but managed by private landlords. Each works differently, has its own waiting list, and serves different household sizes and income levels. You do not have to choose one — you can be on multiple waiting lists at the same time.

The state also runs Minnesota Housing Finance Agency programs that help people with down payments, closing costs, and homeownership counseling, though those are separate from rental information. For renters facing when ready hardship, Emergency information through your county is the fastest route, though funding varies by month and location.

Income limits in Minnesota are set as a percentage of the area median income (AMI), which differs between the Twin Cities metro area, Greater Minnesota, and rural counties. A household that qualifies in one county may not may have access to in another, so you need to check the specific limits where you want to live.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 vouchers let you rent from any landlord who accepts the program, but waiting lists in the Twin Cities are typically two to five years long.
  • Public housing is owned by housing authorities and has shorter waiting lists in some areas, though units are older and concentrated in specific neighborhoods.
  • Tax-credit apartments are newer and scattered throughout communities, but you must meet income limits and explore directly to each building.
  • Emergency information through your county covers rent arrears and deposits for households facing when ready hardship, but funds run out and reopen seasonally.
  • Income limits vary by county and family size, so you must check the specific threshold for your location before contacting a program.

Section 8 Vouchers: How the Waiting List Works

A Section 8 voucher is a monthly subsidy that goes directly to your landlord. You pay a portion of your rent (usually 30 percent of your income), and the voucher covers the rest, up to a local payment standard. You can use the voucher at any rental property where the landlord agrees to participate — you are not limited to public housing or specific buildings.

To get on a waiting list, contact your local housing authority. In the Twin Cities, that is the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority, or suburban authorities depending on where you live. In Greater Minnesota, contact your county or regional housing authority. Most authorities have closed their waiting lists because demand is so high, but some reopen them for short periods — usually a few weeks every one to three years. When a list opens, you must explore in person or online during that window.

Once you are on the list, wait times range from two to five years in the Twin Cities to six months to two years in rural areas. When your name reaches the top, the authority will contact you to verify your income and household composition. You then have a set time (usually 60 to 90 days) to find a landlord and a unit that meets program standards. If you do not find one in time, you may lose your place on the list.

Public Housing: Direct Ownership by Housing Authorities

Public housing is owned and operated by housing authorities themselves. You pay rent based on your income (typically 30 percent), and the authority maintains the building. In Minnesota, public housing stock is older — most was built in the 1960s and 1970s — and concentrated in specific neighborhoods, particularly in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Waiting lists for public housing are separate from Section 8 lists. Some authorities have combined their lists, while others keep them separate. Waiting times are generally shorter than Section 8 — often one to three years — but the number of available units is much smaller. You must meet income limits, which are the same as Section 8 limits in your area. Contact your local housing authority to learn whether they have public housing available and how to get on their list.

Public housing comes with strict lease terms. You must maintain the unit, follow community rules, and allow inspections. Lease violations can result in eviction. However, rent is always affordable because it is tied to your income, and you do not have to search for a landlord willing to participate.

Tax-Credit Apartments: Income Limits and Direct process

Tax-credit apartments are newer buildings built with federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. They look and feel like market-rate apartments but rent at reduced rates to households below certain income limits. Unlike Section 8, you do not go on a single waiting list — you must find and contact each building directly.

Income limits for tax-credit apartments vary by building and are usually 50 percent or 60 percent of area median income. A family of four in Hennepin County might have a limit of roughly $45,000 to $55,000 annually, depending on the building's funding. You must verify the exact limit for each property before you contact them, because exceeding it by even $100 disqualifies you.

To find tax-credit apartments, use the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's online directory at mhfa.state.mn.us, or contact your local housing authority for a list of properties in your area. When you contact a building, ask about current openings, income limits, and what documents you need to bring. Most require proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), identification, and a background check. Approval typically takes two to four weeks.

Emergency information: County-Based Rent Help for when ready Hardship

Emergency information is a county program that covers rent arrears, deposits, and utility information for households facing eviction or homelessness. Unlike Section 8, it is not a long-term subsidy — it is one-time help to prevent when ready loss of housing. Each county administers its own program, so may be able to access and funding vary.

To access Emergency information, contact your county social services office or call 211 Minnesota (dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org) to be referred to your local program. You will need to show proof of hardship (an eviction notice, a past-due rent bill, or a utility shutoff notice), proof of income, and a signed lease. Most programs require that the hardship be recent — usually within the last 30 to 90 days.

Funding for Emergency information is limited and runs out seasonally. Some counties exhaust their budget by mid-year and do not reopen until the next fiscal year. If the fund is closed when you call, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can be placed on a waiting list. Processing typically takes two to four weeks once you submit all documents.

Income Limits and Household Composition Rules

Income limits in Minnesota are based on area median income and vary by family size and location. The Twin Cities metro area (Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Scott, Washington, and Carver counties) has higher limits than Greater Minnesota. A family of four in the Twin Cities might have a Section 8 limit of roughly $60,000 to $65,000 annually, while the same family in a rural county might have a limit of $45,000 to $50,000. These figures change yearly, so you must check current limits with your local housing authority.

Income includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability benefits, unemployment, child support, and alimony. It does not include one-time payments, tax refunds, or money from the sale of an asset. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide tax returns for the past two years.

Household composition matters for income limits and unit size. A household includes anyone living with you who is not a live-in caregiver or a temporary guest. Children, elderly parents, and unrelated roommates all count. If your household size changes, you must report it to the program — it may affect your income limit or the size of unit you are offered.

What Disqualifies You or Delays Your process

Criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions can. Housing authorities can deny admission for drug-related convictions within the past three years, violent felonies, or sex offenses. However, they must consider the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation. If you have a conviction, disclose it when you explore — lying on the process will result in denial.

Eviction history is not an automatic bar, but recent evictions (within the past three to five years) can result in denial. If you were evicted for non-payment, you may still be considered if you can show the hardship was temporary and you have paid what you owed. If you were evicted for lease violations or criminal activity, denial is more likely.

Failure to pay previous rent, utilities, or other debts to a housing authority can disqualify you from that authority's programs. If you owe money to a housing authority in Minnesota, you must pay it before you can get on a waiting list elsewhere. Unpaid debts to private landlords do not automatically disqualify you, but they may appear on a background check and affect the landlord's decision to accept your voucher.

Income above the limit disqualifies you. There is no appeal or exception — if your household income exceeds the threshold, you cannot participate. However, income limits are recalculated yearly, so if you were over the limit last year, you may may have access to this year if the limit increased or your income decreased.

How to get your free guide: Contact Information and Next Steps

Start by identifying which program fits your situation. If you need housing now and are facing eviction or homelessness, contact your county social services office or call 211 Minnesota for Emergency information. If you can wait and want long-term affordable housing, contact your local housing authority about Section 8 and public housing waiting lists. If you want to explore tax-credit apartments, search the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency directory.

For Section 8 and public housing, contact your local housing authority directly. In the Twin Cities, that is the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (612-342-2700), St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (651-266-6000), or your suburban authority. In Greater Minnesota, contact your county social services office or regional housing authority. Ask whether their waiting list is open, what the current wait time is, and what documents you need to bring.

For tax-credit apartments, visit mhfa.state.mn.us and use the property search tool, or call Minnesota Housing Finance Agency at 651-296-7608. For Emergency information, call 211 or visit your county social services office. Bring proof of income, identification, and proof of hardship (if explore for Emergency information).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on multiple waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. You can be on Section 8 and public housing lists with different housing authorities, and you can contact tax-credit apartments while waiting. There is no rule against it. However, if you are offered housing from one program, you must decide whether to accept it or stay on other lists — you cannot hold multiple units.

What if my income goes up after I get a Section 8 voucher?

Your rent will increase. Section 8 rent is recalculated yearly based on your current income. If your income rises above 120 percent of area median income, you will lose your voucher after a grace period (usually one year). However, you can request a hardship exemption if the income increase is temporary or due to circumstances beyond your control.

How long does it take to hear back after I explore for a tax-credit apartment?

Most buildings respond within two to four weeks. Some move faster if you submit all documents at once. If you do not hear back within a month, call the building's leasing office and ask for a status update. Do not assume you were denied — buildings sometimes lose paperwork or are slow to process.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher in a different state?

Yes, but only after you have held the voucher for at least one year. You must request a transfer from your current housing authority to the authority in the state where you want to move. The receiving authority must have available vouchers. Processing takes several months, so plan ahead if you are considering a move.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. may be able to access statuses include lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, and certain other categories. You will need to provide proof of status (green card, refugee documentation, or other immigration papers). Undocumented immigrants do not may have access to for Section 8 or public housing, but some counties offer Emergency information regardless of status — call 211 to ask.