Know Your Rights


Has your rent gone up over 3%? Report a rent hike through the city’s website or call 651-266-8553.

 

How to make a housing complaint to the Department of Safety and Inspections: find info here or call 651-266-8989

 

 Many thanks to WSCO for compiling most of the resources below

Questions about rent stabilization, what it means, and how it will be implemented? Check out these resources!

·         HOMELine's FAQ on Rent Stabilization in Saint Paul and HOMELine Renters Rights 101 training video (Spanish and English)

·         Housing Equity Now Saint Paul's website: learn about what rent stabilization is, why it works, and other FAQS

·         The City of Saint Paul's rent stabilization page: information for renters and landlords about how the policy will be implemented

Know your rights: Housing

  • How to Make a Housing Complaint: a how-to guide for residents to work with the City's Department of Safety and Inspections

  • Sample form letters from HOMELine: these letters "help you communicate and document your rental housing issues. The forms are are not legal advice. If you have a legal question about your situation or need advice about using any of the forms, contact our tenant hotline 612-728-5767 (or 612-255-8870 en español).

  • Housing Justice Center: lists resources, reports, and litigation related to housing justice in Minnesota

  • A, B, C, D? Look up the inspection grade for your rental unit on the City of Saint Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections interactive map.

  • Learn about what affordable housing and income-restricted apartments are, and how to apply, here.

 

Tenant organizing resources

 

Housing service referrals

GESCC is not a direct service provider. However, we do our best to help refer you to available resources. Thanks to West Side Community Organization for compiling these resources:  

 

 

Resources for landlords

Are you a landlord invested in housing justice? Do you have questions about how to get involved? Contact us!

 

I'm looking for affordable rental housing

Visit HousingLink to search by map, city or county for rental properties listed in both the Twin Cities metro and Greater Minnesota. Listings include apartment, house, duplex, townhome and condo rentals.

Visit Housing Benefits 101, a website built by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to learn about housing options across the state.

Visit Disability HUB MN if you are looking for housing resources for people with disabilities.

Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Program (FHPAP)

The Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) is designed to provide supportive services and/or financial assistance to families, youth and singles that are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

Need help finding or paying for rental housing?

If you are looking for ongoing help paying your rent based on your income, contact your local public housing agency to access Federal rental assistance (Section 8, Public & Indian Housing).

For short-term emergency help finding or paying for rental housing click here:

I'm homeless and looking for shelter

If you are in need of a place to stay tonight because you do not have housing, contact the county you live in and they will direct you to a shelter.

Contact your local coordinated entry provider for an assessment of your housing and service needs. Learn more about coordinated entry by reading this fact sheet.

If you are in need of a safe place to stay because you are fleeing an unsafe environment at home, contact the MN Day One Crisis Hotline at 1.866.223.1111 to speak with an advocate who can guide you to a service provider and safe place.

Other Helpful Resources

United Way’s 211 provides free and confidential health and human service information for people in Minnesota, including connections to local housing services where available.

  • Free legal help and resources for renters are available at homelinemn.org.

  • For tenant and landlord disputes, visit the Attorney General’s website.

  • MinnesotaHelp.info can help you find community services including housing, healthcare, childcare, job training, disability, services for seniors, and other social service information.

  • MNbenefits can connect you with state and county services to help meet basic needs including cash assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, child care assistance and emergency assistance.

  • Information for workers including unemployment insurance and job seeking assistance can be found on the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s website.

MN Dept. of Human Services

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, along with other State agencies, works to ensure housing is available for everyone. We bring together housing, services and income support in order to enable people to live as independently as possible in the community of their choice.

Ramsey County Renter Resources 

Housing Services & Support

Ramsey County works with a variety of local agencies to provide resources for people who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless or need emergency assistance to stay in their homes.

Rental Assistance

Over the past 20 years, Ramsey County has provided nearly $75 million in funding for the construction of 2,000 affordable housing rental units. All of the 992 units directly assisted with Ramsey County resources are affordable for tenants whose incomes are less than 80 percent of the area median income.

Senior Rental Assistance

Eligible seniors may have a choice of 16 high-rise buildings in Saint Paul. A listing of these buildings for the elderly and disabled is available by calling 651-298-5158 or online at the Public Housing Agency website.

To find services and or housing in your community, contact the Senior LinkAge Line® online or by calling 800-333-2433.