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Housing Trust Fund Rental Assistance Program

The Housing Trust Fund Rental Assistance (HTF RA) Program provides temporary rental assistance and housing related expenses to High Priority Homeless (HPH) families and individuals referred through the local Coordinated Entry (CE) system. Rental assistance is provided in partnership with supportive services, as indicated in Minnesota Rule 4900.3766, that are funded through other sources to help participants achieve housing stability and ultimately transition to permanent sustainable housing.

Housing Trust Fund Rental Assistance Program Providers – Find a Housing Trust Fund Rental Assistance administrator

Housing Trust Fund Rental Assistance Program Guide - October 1, 2027-September 30, 2029 Contract Term

Housing Trust Fund Rental Assistance Program Guide - October 1, 2025-September 30, 2027 Contract Term

Request for Proposals Application Information

Minnesota Housing accepted Requests for Proposal applications to award up to $24.7 million in funding, including $500,000 for both tenant-based rental assistance and housing navigation funding.

Funding is contingent on the amount awarded by the Minnesota Legislature and may increase or decrease. Funding modifications and extension amendments may be approved, at Minnesota Housing’s sole discretion, resulting in total awards that may be greater or grant terms that may be longer than initially requested. Any funding modifications would be dependent on, among other factors, additional funding becoming available.

Applicants will receive notification of funding awards after the board meeting in early Spring 2027. Due diligence information will follow.
 

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for this funding include: 

Sponsor-based rental assistance applicants, in addition to meeting at least one of the above criteria, must also be a current sponsor-based rental assistance grantee or have been a sponsor-based rental assistance grantee since September 30, 2023.

In order to alleviate regional service gaps, priority will be given to applicants proposing to serve a region of the state not currently providing tenant-based rental assistance. Review the Housing Trust Fund Program Rental Assistance Program Providers for current HTF RA administrators and their service area(s).

Eligible Uses

HTF RA Program funds available through this RFP may be used for the following:

  • Tenant-based rental assistance
  • Sponsor-based rental assistance
  • Administrative fees
  • Security deposits
  • Application fees
  • Utility connection fees
  • Damage claims or fees
  • Vacancy payments
  • Other fees, as approved by Minnesota Housing, necessary to obtain property owner participation or to prevent repeated episodes of homelessness

Tenant-based rental assistance applicants may apply for housing navigation funding to enhance the utilization of HTF RA Program. Housing navigation funds may be used to provide extra support in helping participants search for, find and move into housing. Note that housing navigation funds are available only to applicants selected for funding of tenant-based rental assistance programs. Eligible uses for housing navigation funds under this RFP include:

  • Utilizing housing search engines to locate opportunities
  • Assisting participants in completing housing applications
  • Assisting participants in obtaining application fees, if needed
  • Transporting participants to housing appointments
  • Assisting participants in communicating with potential property managers
  • Providing tenant education on property owner and tenant rights and responsibilities
  • Expediting the move-in timeline when feasible, between the date of acceptance and lease signing

Housing navigation funds may not be used to pay for tenant service coordination, case management, or any other type of support services once a household has moved into housing. Additionally, housing navigation funds may not be used for indirect costs (for example, facilities or overhead).

Administration Information

Administration information is for grantees that are currently receiving program funding.

Guides and Documents

HTF Statute

October 1, 2027-September 30, 2029 Contract Term

 

October 1, 2025-September 30, 2027 Contract Term

HTF Guides and Scoring Archive

October 1, 2023-September 30, 2025 Contract Term 

Income Verification Forms
HPH Verification Forms
Long Term Homelessness Verification Forms
Program Qualification and Administrative Forms
Leasing Forms
Housing Quality Standards
Administrator Created

Items listed below are to be created to meet your specific program criteria.

  • Program Policies and Procedures including:
    • Tenant selection process
    • Waiting List Procedures
    • Transition plan goals
    • Annual income and interim re-certification processes
    • Unit inspection procedures
    • Security Deposit Policy
    • Termination process
    • Program Application Form
    • Tenant Letter of Understanding Form
    • Property Inspection Form
    • Lead Paint Information Sheet and Brochure
Draw Request Form and Submittal Instructions

The draw request workbook is secured with a password that must be entered each time the workbook is opened. This added security measure will protect confidential participant data when sent via Secure Upload Tool. Before attempting to open or download this file, you must request the password by sending an e-mail to any of the Rental Assistance staff members at Minnesota Housing. The draw request is submitted monthly by housing agencies and due by the 15th of each month.

Draw Request Form Tutorials

Downloading the Draw Request Form (15:54) - How to download the draw request form; how to import data from a previous workbook; how to save and submit for reimbursement and program compliance. Notes

Part I: Draw Request Form Functionality (16:05) - PART ONE outlines features of the draw request form, various functions and calculations. Notes

Part II: Draw Request Form Functionality; Monthly Log (16:52) - PART TWO focuses on the ‘MONTHLY LOG’ tab of the workbook; automated calculations and formulas; rounding, prorating and how to report suspensions and terminations. Notes

Certifications and Name Changes (18:29) - Details the differences between annuals, interims, unit transfers, suspensions; terminations; how to report late certifications; head of household and name changes. Notes

Housing Related Expenses, Utility Reimbursements (aka Excess Utility Expenses) and Adjustments (11:56) - Outlines housing related expenses; Utility Reimbursements (also known as excess utility expenses) and adjustments. Notes

 

Grantee Trainings and Meetings

Due Diligence

Minnesota Housing hosted a due diligence training for their Housing Trust Fund grantee's. Grantee's are required to submit due diligence items in order to close their grants and start receiving their awarded funding. Due diligence training | Presentation slides

High Priority Homeless Eligibility Option

Minnesota Housing hosted an information session to provide an overview on the High Priority Homeless eligibility option. Existing properties with Long-Term Homeless units and HTF Long-Term Homeless rental assistance programs will now have the option to use the Hight Priority Homeless eligibility criteria instead of the Long-Term Homeless eligibility criteria. View the presentation slides

Administrator Meetings

Meeting Recording 5.21.2025 (01:02:23)