Christ Yoder
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Minneapolis families struggling to pay rent amid the coronavirus pandemic can apply to the city for emergency assistance starting next week. Here’s how it works.
What is the Gap Funding Plan?
The city created the Gap financing plan this month to help provide rent assistance and small business loans to people struggling to pay their bills due to the pandemic. The rental assistance portion is creating a $2 million emergency housing assistance program to help low-income families across the city and using $1 million to expand housing assistance across the part of the Stable Homes Stable Schools program, which supports families with children enrolled in a public school in Minneapolis.
Who is eligible?
For emergency housing assistance, families in Minneapolis must earn 30% or less of the region’s median income, or about $27,000 for a family of three. They must also demonstrate that they have suffered “a significant loss of income” because of the pandemic.
For Stable Homes Stable Schools, they must have a child enrolled in a Minneapolis public school elementary school and earn 50% or less of the area’s median income — about $45,000 for a family of three.
The city says it won’t ask about immigration status.
How much can a family get?
Most will receive payments of $1,500, while some large families could receive up to $2,000.
When and how can I apply?
The city will open applications at 9 a.m. Wednesday and accept applications until noon April 27.
Applications will be available at minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/gap-funding in English, Hmong, Oromo, Somali and Spanish.
Starting Wednesday, people without internet access can call the Tenant Resource Center at 612-302-3129 and leave a voicemail. The center is preparing for around 1,000 calls a day and expects to return every voicemail within three days.
How do payments work?
The money will go directly to a landlord or utility company. It can be used to pay overdue rent, rent due within 15 days, or utility bills. Because tenants don’t receive the payment directly, they won’t have to report it as income, according to the city.
How many people will get money?
The city said it hopes to help at least 1,500 households, but acknowledges many more are likely to apply. The city is working to create criteria for a random selection process.
I applied for a small business loan through the Gap Funding Plan. May I to have rent assistance?
Yes.
Is there help for owners?
The Gap financing plan is reserved for tenants. The city separately donates money to the Minnesota Home Ownership Center and suggests that people contact this organization for help with mortgage payments.
How does the city pay for this program?
The city uses money from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, as well as money freed up when the city got an additional federal grant to cover other expenses.
