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Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association

RENTER SUPPORT FUND

The Renter Support Fund seeks to provide some relief to cost-burdened Minneapolis renters through low-barrier cash assistance.to improve housing stability by providing direct assistance to cost-burdened Minneapolis renters.

 

Unfortunately, the Renter Support Fund (RSF) is closed due to insufficient funds.​

 

This program has been a vital resource for many renters during a time of skyrocketing living costs.

Here are ways YOU can support the reopening of this program IN 2025!

Goal $50,000

Open Doors

NEIGHBORS KEEPING NEIGHBORS INSIDE

From Camden to Diamond Lake the RSF supports all Minneapolis neighborhoods. Donate or volunteer today to make a material impact on someone in our city.

Working from Home
New apartment

COMMUNITY 
COLLABORATIONS

Have an event coming up that we can support? Are you a business owner, realtor, or nonprofit leader? Sponsor the Renter Support Fund today and help keep our neighbors in their homes.

 If you’re a struggling renter check out our Resource Library or email venus@ppna.org if you’d like a direct referral to any of the listed service providers.

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2024 TESTIMONIALS

“The renter support fund helped relieve some stress and aid in my rent and light bill payment for the month of May 2024. It helped tremendously reduce stress and anxiety and is a great blessing.

Thanks so much.”

“es de mucha ayuda ya que a veces y como esta la situacion economica es dificl completar la renta” Translation: [The Renter Support Fund]  is very helpful because of the current economic situation, it is difficult to pay the rent."

“I've been having trouble getting a job. So [The Renter Support Fund] definitely helped me buy some time with my landlord.”

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RENTER SUPPORT FUND FAQ

WHO CAN APPLY?

Renters who are 18 or older, live in Minneapolis, and spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs are eligible to apply. We select applicants each month on a lottery basis and renters can receive funding only once per calendar year. In 2024, we funded 6 renters per month from January through July.

HOW MUCH MONEY AND WHEN?

Selected renters will receive $600 in direct rental assistance. Applicants are notified within 2 business days of the application close date and, if randomly selected, will receive their first payment via check or PayPal by the 5th of the following month.

WHAT CAN I USE THE MONEY FOR?

There are no restrictions on how selected renters can spend the money. Renters are not required to report how they spend the funds.

DO I HAVE TO PAY BACK THE FUNDS?

No! However, we often have opportunities for renters to share their story or help advocate for change. We sometimes call on our applicants for support in these areas.​

KEY PROGRAM STATS

The Renter Support Fund seeks to provide some relief to cost-burdened Minneapolis renters through low-barrier cash assistance. Since its inception in 2019, the Renter Support Fund has provided unrestricted cash grants to hundreds of Minneapolis renter households.  In 2023, demand for Renter Support Fund stipends remained high, 12% more than in 2022 and 186% more than 2021. At the same time, our available funding enabled us to support only 1.3% of applicants on average. 

 

Check out some key numbers from 2023 as well as our full Program Report here  

514 renters funded

since the program began in 2019, benefitting 698 adults and 528 children who lived with selected renters at the time

93% improvements

All surveyed renter who received funds in 2023 noted improvements, using funds to pay rent, past-due bills, or other expenses

Only 2.3% of applicants were selected 

in 2023, due to a 50% drop in available funding and a 33% increase in renter demand over 2022.

$21,600 DISTRIBUTED

each renter received $600

66% of funded renters are BIPOC

A majority of selected renters are Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color, and a majority are women caregivers.

Holding Hands

[“The [Renter Support Fund] really helped me catch up on past due bills and avoid eviction and utility shut off.”

- 2023 Renter Testimony

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QUESTIONS / PREGUNTAS

If you have questions about the Renter Support Fund, please contact venus darling at 612-446-4661 or venus@ppna.org.​

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