We are pleased to announce that the Renter Support Fund will re-open this summer! For the last six months, the program remained closed while PPNA staff worked to secure additional funding. We recently met our goal of $24,300, so the Renter Support Fund is back online.
The application will re-open on July 4 at 12pm and close on July 11 at 12pm!
Through the end of 2022, at least, we will fund four cost-burdened Minneapolis renters per month. Selected renters will receive $900 in assistance, either three monthly payments of $300 or a one-time payment of $900, with the goal of improving housing stability.
Last year, PPNA distributed over $300,000 to 335 Minneapolis renters. Learn more here!
The Bigger Picture
While we are grateful we can keep the Renter Support Fund running, we know that more resources are needed to support renters in our communities.
Since January, when Minnesota’s RentHelpMN program abruptly ended, evictions have been on a steep incline. As of May, 75,000 Minnesota renters still owed $144 million in rent debt. But despite the need for additional state rental assistance and a budget surplus of $9 billion, the legislative session ended without investing a single penny for rental assistance.
PPNA believes housing is a human right. We think the government has a responsibility to fund initiatives that keep people housed and pass policies that protect the right to housing. If you’d like to help renters in your community, you can donate to the Renter Support Fund or email julia@ppna.org to learn about our housing advocacy work and how you can get involved.
Assistance for Homeowners
While renter resources are scarce, homeowners who have been waiting months for mortgage assistance can finally apply for HomeHelpMN. Homeowners who have been impacted by COVID-19 can receive up to $35,000 if they apply by August 17th.
In order to be eligible for funding, homeowners must:
Own and live in their home as their primary residence.
Have an income equal to or less than 100% of the area median income
Have experienced a reduction in income or increase in living expenses on or after January 21, 2020.
Have past-due mortgage or other housing expenses that became past due on or after January 21, 2020.