The Metropolitan Council is gearing up to reopen the Section 8 housing waiting list after almost three years since it was last available to applicants. Starting April 9th and running until noon on the 16th, individuals looking for affordable housing opportunities can apply for a chance to be included on this crucial list. A random selection lottery, scheduled for May 1st, will determine which applicants make it onto the waiting list, Metro Council announced.
With an eye towards equitable housing solutions, Lisa Barajas, the director of the Met Council’s Community Development division, asserted that the move was part of the Council's commitment to provide vital support for families and individuals striving for a better life. "Opening the waiting list is one way to create more equitable access to safe and affordable housing in our region," she told the Metro Council. Additionally, in a significant nod to address historical injustices, American Indian households will be given preference for 10% of the waiting list placements this year, a decision aligned with the broader goals of the Imagine 2050 regional development guide.
Despite the open applications, Metro HRA director Terri Smith highlighted the deep gap between housing voucher demand and supply, cautioning that not everyone entering the lottery would secure a spot on the waiting list. "Because the demand for housing vouchers is far greater than the supply, not everyone who enters the lottery will be selected to join the waiting list," Smith explained in a statement obtained by the Metro Council. To those who do get on the list, the wait for a voucher can span from one to five years, subject to federal government funding flows.
The Metro HRA has established a working relationship with several private rental market landlords across the region to facilitate this program, offering over 7,200 households a more affordable living situation. Tenants typically pay between 30% to 40% of their income towards rent, while the Metro HRA contributes the rest within certain rent parameters. Landlords cooperating with the program have the assurance of receiving a reliable income source from the rents collected, thanks to the Metro HRA's involvement.
Interested parties should mark their calendars for April 9, when application details will become available. The Metro HRA serves a wide swath of the community, covering nearly 100 locations interspersed through Anoka, Carver, and substantial portions of suburban Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. For a regional overview and more information on how to be a part of this program, a map and additional data can be found on the Metro Council's official website at metrocouncil.org.
