If you are at risk of eviction or homelessness, there are financial and legal resources that may be able to provide you with assistance.

Financial resources

St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP)

STEP is available to help residents who need help with food or to maintain housing, although the building is currently closed to the public. Visit their client services page for information or call 952.925.4899.

Inquiries for emergency rental assistance will be handled by being leaving a voice message at 952.234.4323 and a social worker will return the call as soon as possible.

If a resident applies for emergency assistance STEP will request the landlord:

• Fill out a W-9
• Waive late fee and ask that they not file for any eviction proceedings

Other helpful information:

• Households must be in a legal lease to receive assistance
• Households will not be asked about immigration status, this is not a factor in eligibility for rental assistance.
• STEP will work with the household to plan for future rent payments. They will look at income, including unemployment, apply at MN Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program, and stimulus payments for planning.
• Applications for rental assistance can be found on STEP’s website. Some property owners have found it helpful to have applications printed and on hand for residents.
• The turnaround time for funding, if approved, is approximately 48 – 72 hours.
• Legal guidance and resources for renters
  • LawHelpMN.org has compiled helpful information about renters' rights during the pandemic and has legal aid available for tenants.

Learn more about emergency rental assistance through Hennepin County.

Tenant Resource Center

The Tenant Resource Center supports Hennepin County residents who are at risk of eviction or homelessness through collaborative partnerships. The center has resources to assist with emergency assistance, legal help, mediation and connecting residents with agencies that can provide financial assistance.

The tenant resource center is located at 2100 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis.

For more information and hours, visit the Tenant Resource Center website.

Twin Cities United Way

Twin Cities United Way provides general information and referral services for Minnesota residents, including connections to local housing services where available.

Hennepin County emergency programs

When Hennepin County residents are in a financial crisis that poses a direct threat to their physical health or safety, the county may be able to provide short-term aid, including housing costs. Learn more by visiting Hennepin County's website.

Minnesota Housing

Minnesota Housing can help you find or pay for rental housing.

Family housing fund

Family housing Fund has provided a list of resources to help support households impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Legal resources for renters

HOME Line

HOME Line provides free and confidential legal, organizing, educational and advocacy services so tenants throughout Minnesota can solve their own rental housing problems.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid provides advice and legal representation for people with low incomes, seniors and people with disabilities who are experiencing rental housing issues. Advice regarding evictions, discrimination, foreclosure, accommodations for disabled Minnesotans and Section 8 housing is available.

Volunteer Lawyers Network

Volunteer Lawyers Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting Minnesotans experiencing poverty with some of the top private lawyers in the state at no cost.

The St. Louis Park Housing Authority administers programs that ensure the availability of safe and desirable affordable housing options in the St. Louis Park community. The housing authority currently serves more than 500 eligible, low-income households through their housing programs.

Current program participants can access their information and report changes through the resident portal. 

Rental assistance programs

Public Housing Program

The Public Housing Program provides clean, safe and affordable living environments, owned and managed by the housing authority, to eligible low-income individuals and families.

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) is a government-funded program that provides affordable housing options to low-income individuals and families. A family that receives a housing voucher can choose a housing unit where the owner agrees to rent under the program.

Family Self Sufficiency (FSS)

The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program is a voluntary family self-sufficiency program for current housing choice voucher or public housing participants administered by STEP. It was established to help individuals overcome barriers to self-sufficiency, financial security and personal achievement through counseling, advocacy and personal empowerment. Contact the housing authority if you are a current housing choice voucher or public housing participant and are interested in participating in FSS.

Kids in the Park Rent Assistance Program

Kids in the Park provides rent assistance to households with school-age children for up to 4 years. Participants receive a flat monthly rental assistance that decreases annually over the four-year period. Eligible households must have an income at or below 50 percent of the area median income, have one parent or guardian that works a minimum of 28 hours per week, live in rental housing in St. Louis Park and comply with their lease. Families with disabled and elderly heads of household do not need to comply with the work requirement. The program was developed in partnership with the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) and the St. Louis Park School District.

The Kids in the Park waiting list will open August 19, 2024 at 9 a.m. All eligible applications received by noon on August 30 will be considered first. Placement order will be determined by a random sort of all applications received by noon August 30. Eligible applications received after August 30 will be placed on the waiting list in the order they are received until the waiting list is closed. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria to apply.

Apply online.

The housing authority manages the waiting lists for:

• Public Housing Program –all waiting lists are closed.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) – waiting list is closed.
• Kids in the Park Program – The Kids in the Park waiting list will open 9 a.m. on August 19, 2024.

The Kids in the Park waiting list will open August 19, 2024 at 9 a.m. All eligible applications received by noon on August 30 will be considered first. Placement order will be determined by a random sort of all applications received by noon August 30. Eligible applications received after August 30 will be placed on the waiting list in the order they are received until the waiting list is closed. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria to apply.

Apply online.

Visit HousingLink for additional affordable housing options in the metro area.

If you applied for a waiting list online, you can check your waiting list status. If you are currently on the waiting list, updates on address and family composition must be submitted in writing through our online applicant portal, email at waitinglist@stlouisparkmn.gov or by mail to St. Louis Park Housing Authority, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.

All rental homes and units muse be licensed and inspected by the city on a regular basis.

If you have issues or concerns with your rented home or multifamily building, contact the building and energy service counter at 952.924.2588 during regular city hall business hours, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Emergency, after-hour issues can be reported by calling the police department non-emergency phone number, 952.924.2618.

If you are currently homeless or fear that you may become homeless, Hennepin County has emergency programs available to provide short-term assistance.

Stable HOME Program

The Stable Home Program provides rent assistance to low-income singles and families who were homeless or would otherwise be at risk of homelessness. Rent assistance is limited to three years. During the three years, participants must establish good rental histories and relationships. They must also work to improve their earnings enough to where they do not need rental assistance. The program is administered by the HA, but participants are free to choose a rental unit anywhere in Hennepin County except Minneapolis. Participants are referred to the program by Hennepin County.

Current program participants must report all changes in income and household size in writing within 10 days of the change. All changes need to be reported through the resident portal. 

Effective Nov. 1, 2024: 30-day notice of eviction requirement

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, a new state law requires all landlords in Minnesota to issue a 14-day written notice before filing evictions for non-payment of rent.

The City of St. Louis Park’s ordinance requires landlords with rental properties in St. Louis Park to provide a 30-day pre-eviction notice to tenants prior to initiating an eviction action for non-payment of rent or other financial obligations. Landlords are required to provide the residential tenant with a pre-eviction notice form prepared by the city (See full form below as well).

Landlords must comply with the St. Louis Park ordinance and Minnesota statute 504b.321

Pre-eviction notice form

Date: _____________

(If letter is not on letterhead include:
Landlord name
Landlord street address
City, State, ZIP code)

Tenant name
Tenant address
St. Louis Park, MN ZIP Code

Pre-eviction notice

30-day pre-eviction notice for unpaid rent or other unpaid financial obligations under the lease

Dear ________________,

This notice is your 30-day pre-eviction filing notice. You are advised as follows:

You have unpaid rent or other unpaid financial obligations in violation of the lease. The total amount due is $_________ by [insert date 30 days from the date of this notice].

The specific accounting of the amount of the total due from unpaid rent, late fees, and other charges under the lease is: *see attached ledger If ledger is not attached, delete “see attached ledger” and include the following:

Rent past due: ________________________
Late fee:           ________________________
Other fees:      ________________________
Total amount due:      _______________________

The name and address of the person authorized to receive rent and fees on behalf of the landlord is: [name and address]

In accordance with St. Louis Park city code:

The City of St. Louis Park requires a 30-day pre-eviction notice before a landlord files an eviction. If you do not pay the total amount due or move out within 30 days from the date of this notice, your landlord can file an eviction. 30 days from the date of this notice is [date].

You can access legal and financial assistance through information posted on the city's website by visiting https://www.stlouisparkmn.gov/rental-assistance.

If you need legal or financial help, contact the resources listed in this pre-eviction notice.

In accordance with state law:

You have the right to seek legal help. If you can’t afford a lawyer, free help may be available. Contact Legal Aid or visit www.lawhelpmn.org to know your tights and find your local legal aid office.

To apply for financial help, contact your local county or tribal social services office, apply online at MNBenefits.mn.gov, or call the United Way toll-free information line by dialing 2-1-1 or 800.543.7709.

Under Minnesota state law, your landlord can file an eviction case if you do not pay the total amount due or move out within 14 days from the date of this notice. Some local governments may have an eviction notice period longer than 14 days. The City of St. Louis Park has a 30-day notice.

If you have questions regarding this notice, please contact [name or position] at [phone number and/or email address].

Sincerely,

_________________

90-day tenant protection ordinance

The St. Louis Park City Council adopted an ordinance enacting a tenant protection period following the sale of an affordable housing building. The goal is to protect lower-income tenants in the city.

The ordinance was recommended by a city-convened workgroup advocating for the preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH). NOAH properties are rental buildings where at least 18% of the units have rents that are affordable to households with incomes at or below 60% area median income (AMI).

Under the ordinance, new owners of affordable housing buildings would be required to pay relocation benefits to tenants if the owner increases the rent, re-screens existing residents or implements non-renewals of leases without cause within a three-month period following the ownership transfer of the property and the tenant chooses to move due to these actions.

Relocation benefits (rounded) by apartment size

The tenant protection ordinance packet outlines the requirements of the ordinance and provides resources to help owners and property managers understand the ordinance.

St. Louis Park is the first city in the state to adopt such an ordinance.