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Minnesota Housing strives to create an inclusive and equitable housing system by empowering communities to codevelop solutions to housing challenges. The Community Reviewer Program will compensate community members, especially those that have faced housing challenges, as Community Reviewer Consultants in the Minnesota Housing’s grant programs. Community Reviewer Consultants will work alongside state employees to read applications and help decide which entities should receive funding. This program prioritizes community engagement, partnership and collaboration, and allows for more community-led decision making in our programs.

Our state is home to communities of all types —and the expertise, insights and commitment to take on the toughest housing issues. We’re committed to including voices from these communities in our processes. The Agency recognizes that historical and institutional injustices have disproportionately created housing challenges and disparities for various oppressed communities and recognizes the importance of involving community in finding solutions.  

Minnesota Housing offers a modest stipend of $1,000 for serving as a Community Reviewer Consultant. 

2026 Application Process

The Community Reviewer Program Application is scheduled to open in spring of 2026.

Application Timeline and Key Dates

DateProgram Milestone
Wednesday, February 18, 2026Community Reviewer Information Session I (Register)
Wednesday, February 25, 2026Community Reviewer Application opens
Wednesday, March 4, 2026Community Reviewer Information Session II (Register)
Tuesday, March 24, 2026Community Reviewer Application closes at 11:59 p.m.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026Notification of Community Reviewer finalist interview selection
Monday, April 20-Friday, May 1, 202630-minute interviews with selected Community Reviewer finalists
Tuesday, May 12, 2026Notification of Community Reviewer selection
Wednesday, May 20, 2026Community Reviewer Contract Agreements and forms due
Wednesday, May 27, 2026Community Reviewer Orientation option 1
Friday, May 29, 2026Community Reviewer Orientation option 2

Minnesota Housing offers a modest stipend of $1,000 for serving as a Community Reviewer Consultant. 

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Who are we looking for?

We are looking for people who live in Minnesota and have experienced housing challenges, as defined by them, to serve as Community Reviewers. Community Reviewers will be part of a team including state reviewers who will: 

  1. Score grant applications,
  2. Interview applicants (for selected grants), and  
  3. Participate in Minnesota Housing deliberation meetings to recommend a list of applicants to receive housing grants.  

Learn more about our grants.

We strive to engage Community Reviewers from throughout Minnesota and Tribal Nations, and to include the experiences of families, individuals, Veterans, people with disabilities, people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and young people. We strongly encourage individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and persons of color to apply. We want people who are passionate about building thriving communities where everyone’s voice matters and are interested in how housing can advance that vision. Your participation will also help us learn and improve how we engage Community Reviewers in future grant selection processes. 

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants are:

  • Individuals 18 years of age or older.
  • Persons living/residing in Minnesota.
  • Individuals who have faced housing challenges.  
  • People who are passionate about building thriving communities where everyone’s voice matters and are interested in how housing can advance that vision.  
  • People who can commit to 20-28 hours of work to read 6-8 applications (up to 20 pages per application) over a span of 3-8 weeks. 
What to expect
Information Sessions

Attend an optional information session about the Community Reviewer role, application and requirements:

Please register to join each information session.  

If you need an accommodation to apply, participate fully, or to join the information session, please contact ocho smith-koh at ocho.smith-koh@state.mn.us or at 651.703.4013 at least 10 business days before the event, application deadline or meeting.

Can’t make the session?

That’s all right! Sessions will be recorded and saved to our website.

Program Questions

If you have questions, email them by March 18 at 11:59 p.m. (Central time). We will post our responses on this webpage on March 20. 

Responsibilities, Time Commitment and Pay

Community Reviewers will be required to complete all the following activities to receive payment of $1,000 (split into two payments) after completion of the following activities:  

  • Attend program orientation and grant review training. (2-3 hours)  
  • Review and score assigned grant applications. (6-14 hours)
  • Participate in interviews (if applicable) and finalist deliberations. (2-10 hours)
  • Submit evaluations and complete feedback surveys. (1 hour)  
  • Adhere to confidentiality and conflict of interest policies.

We estimate that it will take about 20-30 hours to complete the activities identified above. Please only apply if you can commit to participating in all the activities. Community Reviewers need to attend all meetings and complete their scoring on time. Please come ready to share your thoughts, ideas, concerns and questions.  

Technology and Confidentiality Requirements

All meetings will be virtual. You will need an email address, access to a computer (with microphone or telephone for audio) and a secure internet connection to be able to participate in selection meetings. If you have technology questions, please specify during the application. Minnesota Housing will work with you to address digital and technological accessibility gaps as much as we are able.

The Community Reviewer orientation will include daytime and evening options. Community Reviewers will need to attend only one of the orientation dates provided.  

  • Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, May 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.  

All other meetings, trainings and interviews will be held during business hours (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)  

Community Reviewers must keep the application and scoring materials confidential. Additionally, they must join meetings, trainings and interviews from a private location where they cannot be overheard. Community Reviewers cannot discuss or otherwise share information with anyone other than members of the grant review team, both before and after the process is complete.  

Contracting Process

Selected Community Reviewers will enter into a contract with Minnesota Housing and be required to complete a W-9 by May 20, 2026, for payment and submit invoices for payment after all required activities are completed. The W-9 form requires either a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Although we cannot provide legal or tax advice, we will provide training on these forms.  

Note: Participating as a Community Reviewer does not represent employment with Minnesota Housing.  

How does Minnesota Housing award grant funds?

To ensure equitable and effective distribution of housing funds, Minnesota Housing follows a structured grant-making process that may include the following key steps:

Infographic showing steps including: 1) Money Available, 2) Request for Proposal, 3) Build Review Team, 4) Get Ready, 5) Review, 6) Award Money

NOTE: The process is for illustration purposes only and is subject to change at Minnesota Housing's sole discretion. If there is a revision to the process, Minnesota Housing will send an eNews. Updates will also be posted on Minnesota Housing's website.

Grant Review Timeline

Grant review periods will be provided upon the selection of each individual Community Reviewer. Grant periods will vary based on the various programs held within the Agency. Each Community Reviewer’s contract will specify the grants they will be responsible for reviewing, scoring, and selection of grantees.   

Conflict of Interest

All Community Reviewers will be asked to identify any actual or perceived conflicts of interest such as a family member’s or their own connection or relationship to any of the Minnesota Housing grant program applicants. Applicants may not be eligible to serve as Community Reviewers if their employer plans to apply for any grant program within Minnesota Housing. Minnesota Housing will make every attempt to separate reviewers with conflicts of interest from the review and discussion of applicants with whom they have a conflict. If this is not possible, the Community Reviewer will be notified and will not be allowed to continue to participate in the grant review and selection process. Because conflicts of interest are identified early in the grant process, removal of a Community Reviewer may result in no funds being paid to them.  

Community Reviewer Application Process and Next Steps

Deadline to apply: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

View application questions (for reference only). All applications will need to be completed online.

After the Community Reviewer application deadline, Minnesota Housing will review applications and schedule 30-minute interviews with the top candidates.

Top candidates will have submitted applications that:

  • Demonstrate they can participate in all meetings and trainings and complete the required tasks on time.
  • Show they are passionate about thriving communities.
  • Express an interest in housing, including Minnesota Housing's grants and programs, and the desire to use their lived experience to guide the process.