Advertisement

Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority

Cold Spring, Minnesota

Last Updated

13 hours ago

About Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority

The Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (PHA Code: MN172), located in Cold Spring, Stearns County, Minnesota, manages approximately 291 assisted housing units, primarily through Section 8 vouchers. This authority provides various housing assistance programs to residents in the area.

Currently, the Stearns County HRA is accepting applications for the Bring It Home Rental Assistance Program, Bring it Home Rental Assistance Program Vouchers, Public Housing, and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance. These programs are designed to offer rental support to eligible households.

Eligibility for these programs is determined by income. For example, a family of four in the St. Cloud, MN MSA area must generally meet a Very Low Income limit of $51,600 per year to qualify for assistance. Applicants should confirm current program availability and specific requirements directly with the housing authority.

Advertisement

Bring It Home Rental Assistance Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jan 26, 2026

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

This tenant-based subsidy can be used anywhere in Stearns County except the City of St. Cloud. The waiting list will close once 125 applications have been received, and no portability is allowed.

Other Programs Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jul 6, 2026

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

This tenant-based rental assistance program will close once 125 applications have been received; it can be used anywhere in Stearns County except St. Cloud, and portability is not allowed; applicants are ineligible if currently receiving federal tenant-based or project-based assistance.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Currently accepting pre-applications for families for 3-bedroom units; no senior/disabled program. Applicants are placed by date and time of application, with no specific preferences.

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Waitlist

Status

open

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

This tenant-based rental assistance program can be used anywhere in Stearns County except the City of St. Cloud. The waitlist will close once 125 applications are received; applicants currently receiving federal tenant-based or project-based assistance are ineligible.

Bring It Home

Status

open

Open Date

Jan 26, 2026

How to Apply

Online

Additional Notes

This tenant-based rental assistance program is currently accepting applications with no stated deadline and can be used anywhere in Stearns County except the City of St. Cloud; portability is not allowed.

Other Programs

2 programs

These programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

The waiting list is currently closed and no new applications are being accepted. During the last opening, 200 applicants were randomly selected via lottery; the tenant-based voucher can be used anywhere in Stearns County except the City of St. Cloud.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Pending

No active general waiting list information is currently available; interested individuals must call the HRA office to check for property-specific vacancies.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.

Status History

Bring It Home Closed 6 days ago
TBRA Opened Jul 22, 2026
Bring It Home Opened Jul 16, 2026
TBRA Opening Soon Jun 30, 2026
HCV Opening Soon Jun 28, 2026
Bring It Home Opening Soon Jun 26, 2026
Other Opening Soon Jun 25, 2026
TBRA Closed Jun 23, 2026
Bring It Home Closed Jun 21, 2026
TBRA Opening Soon Jun 20, 2026
Bring It Home Opening Soon Jun 19, 2026
Bring It Home Opened Jun 12, 2026
HCV Closed Jun 2, 2026
Other Opened Jun 1, 2026
HCV Opened May 29, 2026
HCV Opening Soon Mar 28, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 26, 2026
Public Housing unknown Feb 21, 2026
Other Closed Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 19, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 401 Westwind Ct
City Cold Spring, MN 56320
PHA Code MN172
Section 8 Units 291

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority

1

Check Current Status

Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority currently has 5 open waiting lists (Bring It Home Rental Assistance, Other Programs, Public Housing, Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $51,600/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority manages approximately 291 assisted housing units (291 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Cold Spring. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority

Bring It Home Bring It Home Rental Assistance open

The Bring It Home Rental Assistance program at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cold Spring. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Other Other Programs open

The Other Programs program at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cold Spring. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

TBRA Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) open

The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cold Spring. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Cold Spring. This program serves approximately 291 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed

Project-Based Vouchers at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Cold Spring. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority administers 6 programs (Bring It Home Rental Assistance, Other Programs, Public Housing, Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV)) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 401 Westwind Ct, Cold Spring, MN.
How long is the wait at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority?
Wait times at Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority depend on demand in Cold Spring, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 291 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on August 24, 2026 when the Bring It Home Rental Assistance list changed from "open" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, including Housing and Redevelopment Authority of St. Cloud (15 mi), Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Litchfield (23 mi), Housing and Redevelopment Authority of City of Melrose (24 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Minnesota and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Minnesota.
How do I contact Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority?
You can reach Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority by phone at (320) 685-7771. Their office is located at 401 Westwind Ct, Cold Spring, MN 56320. You can also email them at nicoleb@stearnshra.com. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority?
Income limits for Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for St. Cloud, MN MSA (currently $103,200). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $51,600. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for St. Cloud, MN MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $51,600. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.

Household Size Extremely Low
30% AMI
Very Low
50% AMI
Low Income
80% AMI
1 Person $21,700 $36,150 $57,800
2 Persons $24,800 $41,300 $66,050
3 Persons $27,900 $46,450 $74,300
4 Persons $32,150 $51,600 $82,550
5 Persons $37,650 $55,750 $89,200
6 Persons $43,150 $59,900 $95,800
7 Persons $48,650 $64,000 $102,400
8 Persons $54,150 $68,150 $109,000
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $103,200 Effective April 1, 2025
What do these income limits mean?

Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.

Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.

Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.