As eviction moratorium ends, St. Paul-Ramsey County Rent Assistance program seeks applicants

Frederick Melo, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·2 min read

Jul. 26—As a 15-month statewide eviction moratorium rolls toward a gradual end, St. Paul and Ramsey County are teaming to get the word out about emergency rental assistance.

The St. Paul-Ramsey County Rent Assistance Program is targeted to renters struggling to pay rent due to the financial burdens of COVID-19. Eligible renters include households that earned 80 percent or less of area median income.

The program is partnering with nonprofit agencies to provide field navigators who will explain rules and requirements, help complete applications and determine required documents.

Rents accrued after March 13, 2020 are eligible. A request for rent help dating back to March 2020 must be supported by a rental agreement or documentation that the rent was accrued after March 13, 2020. Applicants will be asked to describe how the pandemic has impacted their financial situation. Also required are paystubs, tax returns or another proof of income. More information is online at tinyurl.com/RamCoRentHelp2021.

The state and its largest cities and counties are receiving $672 million in federal COVID-19 rental assistance, but demand is already high.

The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency started accepting applications for assistance in April, and as of late June, it had received more than 27,600 requests for aid totaling $146 million. The agency had at the time paid $10.7 million, or 7.3 percent, of the amount requested.

An eviction moratorium "off-ramp" crafted by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz in June is scheduled to roll out as follows:

— June-July: Renters who "materially violated" their leases by committing property damage, a serious crime or another lease violation began receiving eviction notices in late June. Those evictions — which do not apply to non-payment of rent — began taking effect July 14.

— September: Renters who have not paid their rent and are not eligible for rental assistance can be evicted as of Sept. 12.

— October: All evictions restrictions are lifted as of Oct. 13, except for eligible renters with pending rental-assistance applications.

— June 2022: All eviction protections end.

Through Oct. 13, landlords must give tenants 15-day notice before they file an eviction for nonpayment. The notice must indicate the amount owed and direct them toward sources of rental assistance.