What Minnesota's Housing Authority actually does

Minnesota does not have a single statewide housing authority. Instead, the state has dozens of local housing authorities — one in each county or city — that manage public housing and Section 8 vouchers in their area. Each local authority operates independently, sets its own waitlists, and answers to its own board. If you live in Minneapolis, you work with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. If you live in St. Paul, you work with the St. Paul Housing Authority. If you live in a smaller city or rural county, you work with that county's authority.

The main job of any local housing authority is to run two federal programs: public housing (apartments the authority owns and rents at reduced cost) and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program (rental information that lets you choose a private apartment and the authority pays part of your rent). Both programs serve people with low income. A housing authority also handles maintenance, collects rent, enforces lease terms, and manages the waitlist for people seeking housing.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota has local housing authorities in each county or major city, not one statewide office, so you contact the authority that covers where you live.
  • The two main programs are public housing (apartments the authority owns) and Section 8 vouchers (rental information for private apartments), both for people with low income.
  • Waitlists for both programs are often years long, and many authorities stop accepting new applications when the list is full.
  • You can find your local authority's contact information and current waitlist status on the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency website or by calling 211.
  • Public housing and Section 8 vouchers have different income limits, lease rules, and rent calculations, so the right option depends on your situation.

How to find your local housing authority

Start by identifying which authority covers your address. If you live in a city with its own housing authority — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, or a few others — contact that city's authority directly. If you live in a smaller city or unincorporated county land, contact your county's housing authority.

The fastest way to find the right office is to call 211 (a free referral line) and say where you live. They will give you the phone number and address of your local authority. You can also search the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency website, which lists all local authorities and their contact details. Some authorities have their own websites with process forms and waitlist information; others require you to call or visit in person.

Public housing: what it is and how long the wait usually is

Public housing means an apartment owned and managed by the local housing authority. You pay rent based on your income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with a minimum rent (often $50 to $100). The authority covers utilities, maintenance, and repairs. Public housing is available in most Minnesota cities and counties, though the number of units varies widely. A small rural county might have 50 units; Minneapolis has several thousand.

Waitlists for public housing are long in most places. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, the wait is often three to five years or longer. In smaller cities, the wait may be shorter — sometimes one to two years — but some authorities have closed their waitlists entirely because they are full. When you call your local authority, ask whether they are currently accepting applications. If they are, ask how long the current waitlist is and whether you may have access to based on income.

Section 8 vouchers: how they work and waitlist reality

A Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is a rental subsidy. The authority gives you a voucher, you find a private apartment that meets program standards, and the authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent (usually 60 to 70 percent). You pay the rest. You choose where to live and which landlord to rent from, as long as the unit passes inspection and the rent is reasonable for the area. This gives you more choice than public housing, but you must find a landlord willing to accept the voucher.

Section 8 waitlists are even longer than public housing waitlists in most Minnesota cities. Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Hennepin County all have waitlists of 5,000 to 10,000 people with waits of five to ten years. Many authorities have closed their Section 8 waitlists and are not accepting new applications. Some reopen them periodically — usually for a few weeks every few years — when funding allows. Call your local authority to ask whether the waitlist is open and, if it is closed, when it last reopened.

Income limits and how rent is calculated

Both public housing and Section 8 have income limits. The limit depends on family size and the area where you live. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, the income limit for a single person is roughly $35,000 to $40,000 per year; for a family of four, it is roughly $50,000 to $60,000. In smaller cities and rural areas, limits are lower. When you contact your local authority, ask for the current income limit for your household size. If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the basic requirement for either program.

In public housing, you pay 30 percent of your gross income as rent, with a minimum (set by the authority). In Section 8, the calculation is more complex: the authority determines the "payment standard" (the maximum rent it will cover) for your area and bedroom size, and you pay the difference between that standard and the actual rent. If the rent is below the standard, you pay less. If the rent is above the standard, you pay the difference out of pocket. Both programs recalculate your rent annually based on updated income.

What happens after you are on the waitlist

Once you are on the waitlist, you wait. The authority will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available, usually by phone or mail. You must respond within a set time — often 10 to 14 days — or you lose your place. If you accept, you move to the next step: signing a lease (in public housing) or finding an apartment and having it inspected (in Section 8).

During the wait, your circumstances may change. If you move, change your phone number, or your income increases above the limit, tell your local authority when ready. If you do not respond when they contact you, you will be removed from the list. Some authorities allow you to go on and off the waitlist; others do not. Ask your authority about their policy before you explore.

When you cannot get on a waitlist or the wait is too long

If your local authority's waitlist is closed or the wait is years long, you have other options. Some counties and cities run their own rental information programs separate from the housing authority — ask 211 or your local community action agency whether any exist in your area. Minnesota also has emergency rental information (though funding and availability change year to year), rapid rehousing programs for people experiencing homelessness, and nonprofit organizations that help with deposits and first month's rent.

If you are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness, contact your local homeless services coordinator or call 211 to learn about emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rapid rehousing. These programs often have shorter waitlists than public housing or Section 8, though they have different rules and time limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on the waitlist for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. Most local authorities allow you to explore for both programs and be on both waitlists. If you are offered a unit or voucher from one program, you can accept it and ask to be removed from the other waitlist. Some authorities have rules about this, so ask when you explore.

What if my income goes above the limit after I am on the waitlist?

If your income rises above the limit before you are offered a unit or voucher, you will be removed from the waitlist. If your income rises after you move in, you can usually stay in public housing or keep your Section 8 voucher, but your rent will increase. Tell your authority about income changes right away.

Do I need a Social Security number to explore?

Yes. Public housing and Section 8 require a Social Security number for all household members age 6 and older. If you do not have one, contact your local Social Security office or the Minnesota Department of Human Services to begin the process. Some authorities may allow you to explore while you are waiting for a number, but you cannot move in without one.

What if a landlord refuses to accept my Section 8 voucher?

A landlord cannot legally refuse a Section 8 voucher based on the voucher itself, but they can refuse for other reasons — bad credit, eviction history, or income requirements. If you believe a landlord refused you because of the voucher, contact your local housing authority or the Minnesota Department of Human Rights to file a complaint.

How do I know if my apartment will pass Section 8 inspection?

Before you sign a lease, ask your local authority for a copy of the Section 8 housing quality standards. These cover things like working plumbing, heat, electrical outlets, and the absence of lead paint. You can also ask the authority to do a pre-inspection before you commit to the apartment, though not all authorities offer this.