More than 3,000 Minneapolis families apply for rental assistance

That's roughly twice the number of families the city initially said it hoped to help.

April 24, 2020 at 2:39AM
A rental property in Minneapolis, on April 7, 2020. One week after the first of the month, tenants nationwide are already struggling with rents and property owners say their collections have plunged as much of the economy has shut down to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus. (Jenn Ackerman/The New York Times)
A rental property in Minneapolis, on April 7, 2020. One week after the first of the month, tenants nationwide are already struggling with rents and property owners say their collections have plunged. (Jenn Ackerman - New York Times/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

More than 3,000 Minneapolis families applied for emergency rental assistance on Wednesday, the day the city launched its program.

That's roughly twice the number of families the city initially said it hoped to help when it earmarked $3 million to help people pay rent and utility bills during the pandemic.

The city will continue accepting applications through noon Monday.

The city is encouraging families with internet access to apply online at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/gap-funding. Families without internet access can call the Tenant Resource Center at 612-302-3129 and leave a voice mail.

Though there is only one application, the program has two components, one run through the Stable Homes Stable Schools Program and a new Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

The Stable Homes Stable Schools Program will give priority to families making 30% or less of the area median income, roughly $27,000 for a family of three. For the Emergency Housing Assistance Program, each eligible family will be randomly assigned a number that will determine the order in which they receive assistance.

Most will receive $1,500 payments, while some large families could receive up to $2,000.

about the writer

Liz Navratil

Higher education reporter

Liz Navratil covers higher education for the Star Tribune. She spent the previous three years covering Minneapolis City Hall as leaders responded to the coronavirus pandemic and George Floyd’s murder.

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