Metro HRA Programs

Family Initiatives

Metro HRA administers programs that help in stabilizing and strengthening the family unit. These programs offer housing assistance payments as well as support services to assist the family in becoming more self-sufficient. These programs include:

Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS)

This program is designed to promote economic self-sufficiency among participating households in the Section 8 Program. Eligible households receive housing assistance and are connected with appropriate support services and resources within their communities needed to obtain education and/or job training.

The use of housing as a stabilizing force permits the family to invest their energy in other efforts (including employment, education, and job training) that is necessary to achieve economic independence. As their earned income increases, the HRA contributes the difference between the old and the new rent in an escrow account which they are eligible to receive once they have accomplished their goals and are off all forms of welfare assistance. The HRA administers this program for over 200 families.

H.O.M.E (Homeownership Made Easy)

This program helps qualifying individuals and families in the seven-county metro area purchase their own home. To qualify, an individual or family must be a current participant of the Metro HRA Section 8 Voucher Program or the Council's Family Affordable Housing Program. They must have household income exceeding $26,000/year, and be willing to participate in extensive training, such as homebuyer education, financial counseling, and preparation for the challenges of home ownership. The program provides second mortgages up to $25,500 for each household that completes the requirements of the program. The second mortgage can be used for closing costs, down payments, gap financing, or home rehabilitation. The loans are financed through a partnership between the Family Housing Fund and the Metro HRA.

Section 8 Rent Assistance Program

The Section 8 Rent Assistance Program utilizes the existing private rental market to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing opportunities for low income seniors, disabled individuals, families, and singles at an affordable cost. The Section 8 Program is funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The basic purpose of the Section 8 Program is to offer expanded rent assistance opportunities to low income households by utilizing existing housing units. It enables eligible households to rent all housing types throughout the Metro HRA service area, thus avoiding a concentration of assisted housing.

The Metro HRA offers the program in communities throughout Anoka, Carver, and most of suburban Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. For participating cities, please see service area map.

Special Programs

The HRA operates programs for people with disabilities by combining housing assistance and support services. The HRA works with area social service agencies to implement these programs. The goal is to allow people to live as autonomously as possible in the community of their choice. These programs include the following:

Bridges. This state-funded program is designed to provide rental subsidies to households in which at least one adult member has a mental illness. The program is a partnership of housing subsidy and supportive service to foster integration into the community. The assistance is provided while the person is waiting for Section 8. The monthly rent assistance is the difference between the monthly rent and 30% of their gross monthly income. The HRA has funding to assist approximately 150 participants.
Shelter Plus Care. This federally funded program is designed to provide rental assistance in connection with supportive services for homeless persons with disabilities. The HRA administers approximately 230 subsidies in Anoka, Ramsey, and Hennepin Counties.
Temporary Housing Assistance Program is designed to benefit households in which at least one member is HIV positive. This program was established with funds awarded by the Federal Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids Program (HOPWA) and through a contract with the Minnesota Department of Health. Approximately 50 households receive rental subsidies in the seven- county metropolitan area, including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington Counties.
Rental Assistance for Anoka County (RAAC). Metro HRA works with the Anoka county workforce Center to provide state funded rental subsidies for families seeking self-sufficiency. The program is a partnership of housing subsidy with job and education planning to assist families accomplish their self-sufficiency goals. The assistance is short-term and intended to be transitional to other income sources or Section 8 as needed. The maximum rent assistance is $350.00 or no more than the difference between the monthly rent and 30% of their adjusted monthly income. The HRA has funding to serve about 40 households.
The Mainstream Section 8 Program is designed to provide vouchers to enable persons with disabilities to rent affordable private housing of their choice. Eligible households are those in which the head of the household or the spouse is disabled. The household must meet Section 8 eligibility requirements. Currently, there are 200 households receiving assistance.