The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) announced that it will open a three‑day waitlist for the state‑funded Bring It Home housing voucher program. Residents of Minneapolis can submit applications online between midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. Applicants will be entered into a lottery, with families that have children receiving priority.
Program background and funding
Bring It Home was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 and is financed through a combination of state appropriations and a regional sales‑tax levy. Over the next two years, $123 million will be distributed to 50 local and regional agencies across the state. The MPHA is slated to receive $21 million of that pool to support Minneapolis residents.
According to MPHA Executive Director Abdi Warsame, the program will fund between 600 and 700 vouchers. After offering vouchers to households already on the federal Section 8 waitlist, the agency expects roughly 300‑350 vouchers to remain for new applicants.
How the vouchers work
Bring It Home mirrors the federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) model. Eligible tenants pay 30 % of their adjusted income toward rent, and the voucher covers the balance. The vouchers are tenant‑based, meaning families can choose any qualifying landlord in Minneapolis, giving them greater flexibility and stability.
Local impact
MPHA currently administers about 7,500 federal Section 8 vouchers that serve more than 18,500 people. In August, the agency reported over 500 households waiting for a federal tenant‑based voucher across two waitlists. Warsame said the state program will help shrink that backlog and provide immediate relief to families struggling to find affordable housing.
“We’re excited that the state is stepping up and is going to help take families that are struggling with their housing and put a roof over their heads,” Warsame said. “It’s a product that works. It does give you choice. You can move about, shop around.”
Eligibility and next steps
To qualify, applicants must be Minneapolis residents and meet the income and household size requirements outlined by MPHA. The agency anticipates adding as many as 1,500 households to the waitlist during the lottery window. Applicants will be notified of their status by Nov. 1.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to create an account on the MPHA portal before the waitlist opens to ensure a smooth submission process. Detailed instructions and a link to the portal are available on the MPHA website.
Looking ahead
While Bring It Home will provide critical assistance to hundreds of families, Warsame cautioned that the city still faces a broader housing‑affordability crisis. “It is a step in the right direction, but we do need a lot more funding and a lot more support to make sure that we address the housing crisis in our city, in our region,” he said.
The program reflects a collaborative effort between state lawmakers and local housing officials to address a pressing need for affordable rental options. As the waitlist opens, community leaders and families alike are hopeful that the new vouchers will bring tangible relief to those most in need.
Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.
