Funding Available For Richfield Tenants And Landlords To Cover Costs Of Unpaid Rent Due To Coronavirus

Press release from the City of Richfield:

November 9, 2020

Owners of affordable rental housing in Hennepin and Dakota counties can now apply for emergency financial assistance to help cover costs of unpaid rent due to COVID-19. In the face of compounding crises with the COVID-19 pandemic, regional affordable housing challenges, economic impacts, and loss of jobs, many households are struggling to keep up with housing costs.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include affordable housing rental property owners in Hennepin and Dakota counties who can:

• Document uncollected rent from March 1 through the application date
• Demonstrate rent paid for the units is below this amount: (Hennepin only)
  • Efficiency: $1,448
  • 1 Bedroom: $1,552
  • 2 Bedroom: $1,860
  • 3 Bedroom: $2,150
  • 4 Bedroom: $2,400
• Provide tenant attestations of inability to pay rent due to COVID-19

Units with Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Project Based Section 8 units are not eligible.

To apply

To apply for assistance:

• Hennepin: https://housinglink.org/List/hennepin-county-rental-property-support-program

The webpage will include:

• A simple online intake form
• A sample rent ledger
• A template for renter statements from tenants on whose behalf you are applying for assistance.
• A W-9 submission form

Program goals

While there is a current moratorium on evictions in the state of Minnesota, rent is still due and tenants will be responsible for unpaid rent once the moratorium is lifted.

This funding is intended to:

• Prevent tenant evictions and rising homelessness
• Reduce rental property foreclosures, sales, and rent increases
• Stabilize affordable housing owners at a time when there may be new costs to implement public health measures for tenants and employees
• Stabilize affordable housing rental markets and preserve affordable housing options into the future

For questions about this program or your application contact:

Niesha Anderson at nanderson@housinglink.org, or 612-767-4682 ext. 121.

This press release was produced by the City of Richfield. The views expressed here are the author’s own.