Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Minnesota
Minnesota has 135 housing authorities managing a combined 588 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 241 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 41%. This data was last verified on Apr 15, 2026.
Minnesota's affordable housing assistance landscape is managed by 135 housing authorities, which oversee a total of 564 waiting lists across various programs. Currently, 230 of these lists are open, representing a 41% open rate, while 213 lists are closed. This indicates that opportunities for assistance are available, though many lists are also closed. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency plays a key role in the state's housing efforts. Individuals seeking assistance can explore a wide range of programs designed to help with rental costs and provide stable housing options.
Federal programs such as Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), and Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) are common in Minnesota. Public Housing programs feature 133 lists, with 92 currently open. For HCV, there are 134 lists, with 27 open, and PBV programs have 43 lists, with 10 open. Other assistance options include Mainstream (27 lists, 4 open) and RAD (21 lists, 2 open). Minnesota also provides state-funded rental assistance programs that supplement federal aid. Examples include several "Bring It Home" initiatives, such as "Bring It Home" (4 lists, 3 open), "Bring It Home Program" (2 lists, 2 open), and various "Bridges Rental Assistance" programs. This wide array of program types means applicants should investigate all available options.
When seeking housing assistance in Minnesota, applicants should note specific areas with more open lists. Saint Paul has 4 housing authorities with 9 open lists, while Mankato also has 4 housing authorities with 6 open lists. Montevideo features 3 housing authorities with 6 open lists. Other cities with multiple open opportunities include Fergus Falls (2 HAs, 4 open) and Alexandria (2 HAs, 2 open). It is important to remember that Minneapolis and St. Paul are served by separate Public Housing Authorities, requiring distinct applications. Waitlist statuses are dynamic; for example, Radias Health in Saint Paul recently changed a Supportive Housing list from open to closed, and the Public Housing Commission of the City of Marshall changed an HCV list to closed.
The affordable housing programs tracked in Minnesota include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (27 open), Public Housing (93 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (10 open), Mainstream (4 open), RAD (2 open), VASH. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in Minnesota right now are Saint Cloud (21), Chaska (21), Faribault (20), Eagan (19), and Aitkin (11) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Housing and Redevelopment Authority of St. James — Public Housing
Eligibility Requirements for Minnesota
To qualify for assistance in Minnesota, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official Minnesota legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.