Section 8 in Minnesota: What You Need to Know

Minnesota's Section 8 program is run by local public housing authorities in each county or region, not by a single statewide office. The largest programs operate in Hennepin County (Minneapolis area), Ramsey County (St. Paul area), and Duluth, but every county has at least one housing authority managing vouchers. You explore to the authority that covers where you want to live, not where you currently live. Wait lists are managed separately by each authority, so you may be on a list in one county and not another.

The program works the same way across Minnesota as it does nationally: you receive a voucher that covers part of your rent, you find a landlord willing to accept it, and the housing authority pays the landlord directly. The amount the program pays depends on the local fair market rent for your area, which varies significantly between rural Minnesota and the Twin Cities. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent, typically 30 percent of your household income.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota has multiple housing authorities by county, each with its own wait list and processing timeline, so you must explore to the authority covering the area where you want to live.
  • Fair market rent amounts differ across Minnesota regions, which means the same voucher size covers different rent levels in Minneapolis versus rural areas.
  • Most Minnesota housing authorities have closed wait lists, meaning you cannot currently add your name, though some reopen periodically.
  • Minnesota law allows housing authorities to accept Section 8 vouchers for units in public housing, which some authorities use to speed up housing for voucher holders.
  • The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency runs separate programs like the Affordable Rental for Families program that may be available when Section 8 wait lists are closed.

Which Housing Authority Covers Your Area

Minnesota is divided into housing authority jurisdictions by county and sometimes by city. The Hennepin Housing Authority serves Minneapolis and surrounding Hennepin County communities. The Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority serves St. Paul and Ramsey County. Duluth has its own authority. Smaller cities and rural counties each have their own housing authority or share one regionally.

You explore only to the authority that covers where you want to live. If you want to move to Minneapolis, you explore to Hennepin Housing. If you want to move to St. Paul, you explore to Ramsey County HRA. If you are currently living in one area but want to move to another, you explore to the authority in your destination area, not your current one. Some authorities allow you to explore online; others require you to visit in person or mail a paper process.

The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency maintains a directory of all housing authorities on its website, searchable by county. Calling your local authority is the fastest way to learn whether their wait list is open and what documents you need to bring.

Wait Lists and How Long They Take

Most Minnesota housing authorities have closed their Section 8 wait lists, meaning you cannot currently add your name. This is not permanent—authorities reopen lists periodically when funding allows or when they process enough existing applicants to make room. Some authorities have been closed for several years; others close and reopen every one to three years.

When a wait list is open, processing time from process to receiving a voucher typically ranges from six months to two years, depending on the authority's size and backlog. Hennepin Housing and Ramsey County HRA, which manage the largest programs, often have longer wait times because they receive more applications. Smaller rural authorities may move faster.

If a wait list is closed in your area, you can ask the housing authority when they expect to reopen it. Some authorities maintain a "future applicant list" where you can register your interest, and they will contact you when the main list opens. This does not may provide you a spot, but it ensures you know when to explore.

Fair Market Rent Amounts Across Minnesota Regions

Minnesota's fair market rent varies by county and sometimes by city size within a county. The Twin Cities metro area has the highest fair market rents in the state. A one-bedroom voucher in Minneapolis or St. Paul covers a higher dollar amount than the same voucher in Rochester, Mankato, or rural counties. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sets these amounts annually, usually in effect from October through September.

Fair market rent determines the maximum amount the housing authority will pay toward your rent. If you find an apartment that rents for less than the fair market rent, you pay 30 percent of your income and the authority pays the difference. If you find an apartment that rents for more than the fair market rent, you must pay the full difference yourself, which many voucher holders cannot afford. This means your housing options depend partly on what fair market rent is set for your area.

You can view current fair market rent amounts for Minnesota counties on the HUD website. Comparing these amounts helps you understand what rent levels are realistic for your voucher size and location.

Minnesota-Specific Rules and Protections

Minnesota state law provides some protections beyond federal Section 8 rules. Housing authorities in Minnesota must accept Section 8 vouchers in public housing units they own or operate, which gives voucher holders an additional housing option. Some authorities use this to house voucher holders faster when private landlords are scarce.

Minnesota also has a state fair housing law that mirrors federal law but includes additional protected classes. Landlords cannot discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public information, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. If a landlord refuses your voucher or treats you differently because of any of these characteristics, you can file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

Minnesota Statute 363A covers housing discrimination. The state's fair housing hotline can direct you to resources if you believe a landlord has violated your rights. Some housing authorities also have staff who help voucher holders navigate landlord disputes.

Other Minnesota Housing Programs When Section 8 Wait Lists Are Closed

The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency runs several programs that may be available when Section 8 wait lists are closed. The Affordable Rental for Families program provides rental information to families with children earning up to 50 percent of area median income. Unlike Section 8, this program is time-limited—information typically lasts two to three years—but it can bridge the gap while you wait for a Section 8 voucher.

The HOME program, also administered by Minnesota Housing, funds rental information and down payment help through local nonprofits. may be able to access and availability vary by county. The Minnesota Department of Human Services administers emergency rental information, which covers back rent and utilities for households facing eviction or utility shutoff.

Many Minnesota cities and counties also run their own affordable housing programs. Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth have local rental information funds. Hennepin County and Ramsey County have programs separate from Section 8. Calling your local housing authority or city housing department can reveal what programs are currently open in your area.

how the process works and What Documents You Need

The process process varies slightly by housing authority, but all require proof of identity, income, and residency. You will need a government-issued ID, recent pay stubs or tax returns showing your income, and proof of your current address. If you have a disability, you may need medical documentation to request reasonable accommodations. If you have a criminal history, bring documentation of what happened and when, as authorities consider context and time elapsed.

Some Minnesota housing authorities accept applications online through their websites. Others require you to explore in person at their office or by mail. A few still use paper applications only. Calling ahead tells you which method your authority uses and whether the wait list is currently open.

After you submit an process, the housing authority verifies your information, which typically takes four to eight weeks. They will contact you if they need additional documents. If your process is approved and you reach the top of the wait list, you receive a voucher and a briefing on how to use it. The authority then gives you a time frame—usually 60 to 120 days—to find a landlord and sign a lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore to more than one Minnesota housing authority at the same time?

Yes. You can be on wait lists in multiple counties if you are willing to move to different areas. Each authority maintains its own list and processes applications independently. However, once you receive a voucher from one authority, you must use it in that authority's jurisdiction, and you should notify other authorities that you are no longer interested in their lists to free up space for other applicants.

What happens if I move to a different Minnesota county after I get a Section 8 voucher?

You can request a transfer to the housing authority in your new county, but this is not automatic. The receiving authority must have funding available and may place you at the back of their wait list. Some authorities prioritize transfers; others process them slowly. Contact both your current authority and the authority in your new county before you move to understand the timeline.

Do Minnesota landlords have to accept Section 8 vouchers?

No. Landlords can refuse vouchers, though Minnesota fair housing law prohibits refusing based on protected characteristics. Some landlords avoid Section 8 because of paperwork or because they prefer to set their own rent. This means finding a landlord willing to accept your voucher can take time, especially in tight rental markets. Housing authorities sometimes maintain lists of landlords who accept vouchers.

What if my housing authority's wait list is closed and I need housing now?

Contact your local housing authority about emergency rental information, which is separate from Section 8. Call 211 Minnesota, a free referral service, to find local rental information programs currently open. Many counties have emergency funds for people facing eviction. You can also ask the housing authority whether they expect to reopen their Section 8 wait list and when you can check back.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher from another state if I move to Minnesota?

Yes, but you must request a transfer from your current housing authority to a Minnesota authority. The process is called "portability." Your current authority contacts the Minnesota authority, and the Minnesota authority decides whether to accept your voucher. This can take several weeks. You should start the transfer process before you move so there is no gap in your information.