Minnesota Section 8

In Minnesota, local public housing agencies (PHAs) administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly known as Section 8, and each keeps its own waiting list. Minnesota Housing, the state housing agency, directs applicants to their local PHA. The Metro Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA), a service of the Metropolitan Council, operates the largest program in the state, serving nearly 100 communities across Anoka, Carver, and suburban Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets the income limits and Fair Market Rents that they use.

Who is eligible for Section 8 in Minnesota?

To be eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher, your household must meet three requirements:¹

• Your income must generally be at or below the very low-income limit for your county and household size.
• You must be a “family,” which includes a single person, and at least one member must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status.
• You must meet the housing agency’s screening requirements.

What is the income limit for Section 8 in Minnesota?

For a Housing Choice Voucher, a family generally has to be at or below the very low-income limit, which is 50% of the area’s median family income.¹ In Minnesota, that limit for a family of four is between $49,000 and $67,900 a year, depending on the county. For a family of three it is between $44,100 and $61,150.²

At least 75% of new vouchers go to families under the extremely low-income limit, which is 30% of the area median. The calculator above shows all three limits for your county and household size. Your housing agency makes the final decision, and meeting the limit does not guarantee a voucher.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Minnesota?

Fair Market Rent (FMR) is HUD’s estimate of what a modest rental costs in an area, including utilities. In Minnesota, the FY2027 FMR for a two-bedroom unit ranges from $1,014 a month in 35 counties (including Big Stone County) to $1,734 in 11 counties (including Anoka County).³ Your housing agency sets a payment standard, usually between 90% and 110% of the FMR, that limits how much of your rent a voucher can cover.⁴

Is Section 8 open in Minnesota?

The Metro HRA waiting list is closed. Metro HRA accepts applications only when it announces an open period, selects applicants at random, and estimates a wait of up to five years. The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority federal voucher waiting list is also closed. The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency waiting list is closed. Its last opening ran from November 13 to 19, 2024, and 1,200 households were selected by random drawing. Other agencies open their lists only for certain periods, so ask each local agency about the status of its list.

How much does Section 8 pay in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, the rental subsidy is typically calculated as the difference between 30% of the household’s adjusted gross income and the current applicable payment standard.

How do I apply for Section 8 in Minnesota?

There is no cost to apply. Metro HRA applicants check the waiting list through assistancecheck.com when a period opens. Minneapolis applicants use the MPHA portal, may call 612-335-4404 to check their position on the waiting list, and may call 612-342-1480 for the voucher office. Saint Paul applicants use waitlistcheck.com and may call the status line at 651-371-6135, because the agency asks applicants not to call it for status information. For other areas, apply through the public housing agency that serves the county or city.

1. Find your local PHA. Each county or metropolitan area has its own public housing agency (PHA) with a separate waiting list. You may apply to more than one agency.
2. Join the waiting list. Submit a pre-application when the list is open. Agencies commonly ask for proof of identity, income and household composition.
3. Wait for your turn. The wait varies by agency. An agency may remove an applicant who does not respond to its notices, so keep your contact information current.
4. Receive and use your voucher. The agency inspects the unit before the lease begins. You pay a share of your income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to the agency’s payment standard.⁴

If you need help locating a PHA, call HUD’s PIH Customer Service Center at (800) 955-2232 or look up through the official HUD’s directory of public housing agencies (PHAs).

What is Bring It Home in Minnesota?

Bring It Home is a state-funded rental assistance program run by Minnesota Housing and administered by local housing authorities. The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority states that the program is modeled after the federal Housing Choice Voucher program. It serves households that pay more than 30% of income toward rent, are not served by Section 8, and have income at or below 50% of the area median. The Minneapolis list was open October 13 to 15, 2026, and 1,500 households were added to it on November 1 from 4,501 applications.