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Family Housing

For families, finding affordable housing can be a daunting task—a task made more difficult in times of transition. Fortunately, our Family Housing program is available for times such as these. Program participants normally pay no more than 30% of their monthly adjusted income for rent and utilities. And getting into a quality home is easier than you might expect.

  1. Apply
    Take a look at the FAQ, “Do I Qualify For Housing Assistance?” If you meet the requirements, your first step is to fill out an Application form, which is available for downloading on our applicants page, or you can phone 218-529-6300 and asked that the application be mailed to you. Once completed and signed, it can be returned to us in person, by fax, or by mail:
    HRA
    P.O. Box 16900
    222 East Second St
    Duluth, MN 55816-0900
    Fax: 218-529-6344
    After the application materials are reviewed, you will be contacted by a housing representative who will verify your information. Upon approval, you will be placed on our High-Rise Housing waiting list.
  2. Move
    When appropriate housing for your needs becomes available, final verification of your eligibility will be made. You’ll be shown up to two housing options. Once you’ve made your selection, you will be set up for a lease signing.
That wasn’t so hard, was it?
If you qualify for Family Housing, our goal is to make the entire process as simple as possible. We believe that everyone has the right to a comfortable and happy living environment, and we’ll work hard to make that a reality for you. Our dedicated staff will answer any questions you have and will help you through every step of the process.
So, are you ready for a new lease on living? Fill out an application today!

High Rise Housing

Finding affordable housing can be a daunting task—a task made more difficult in times of transition. Fortunately, our High Rise Housing program is available for times such as these. Program participants normally pay no more than 30% of their monthly adjusted income for rent and utilities. And getting into a quality apartment is easier than you might expect.

  1. Apply
    Take a look at the FAQ entitled, “Do I Qualify For Housing Assistance?” If you meet the requirements, your first step is to fill out an Application form, which can be downloaded from our applicants page, or you may call 218-529-6300 and asked for one to be mailed to you. Once completed and signed, the application can be returned in person, by fax, or by mail to:
    HRA
    P.O. Box 16900
    222 East Second St
    Duluth, MN 55816-0900
    Fax: 218-529-6344
    After the application materials are reviewed, you will be contacted by a housing representative who will verify your information. Upon approval, you will be placed on our High-Rise Housing waiting list.
  2. Move
    When appropriate housing for your needs becomes available, final verification of your eligibility will be made. You’ll be shown up to two housing options. Once you’ve made your selection, you will be set up for a lease signing.
That wasn’t so hard, was it?
If you qualify for High-Rise Housing, our goal is to make the entire process as simple as possible. We believe that everyone has the right to a comfortable and happy living environment, and we’ll work hard to make that a reality for you. Our dedicated staff will answer any questions you have and will help you through every step of the process.
So, are you ready for a quality living experience? Fill out an application today!

Family Self-Sufficiency

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created the FSS Program to help Section 8 and Public Housing families achieve economic self-sufficiency. It is for anyone currently participating in the Section 8 program. It is a voluntary program for those who are motivated to become financially and socially self-sufficient.

Participants work in partnership with the FSS Coordinator to develop individual goal plans directed toward increasing their earned income and enabling their family to become (or remain) free from welfare assistance. The primary goal for families who join FSS is to seek and maintain suitable employment and to become independent of cash welfare assistance, while remaining in good standing with the landlord and the HRA. After the goals are finalized, participants enter into an agreement with the HRA by signing a five (5) year Contract of Participation. The goal plan becomes part of the contract, but remains flexible to meet participants’ changing needs.

When a participant’s rent goes up due to an increase in their earned income, part of that rent increase is set aside in an escrow savings account. Upon successful completion of the contract, participants receive the ENTIRE escrow balance plus accrued interest!
So, are you ready to get started?
It all begins with one phone call. 218-529-6300

Section 8 Rental Assistance

Section 8 Rental Housing Assistance is a program that makes market rate rental housing affordable for low income families. Program participants pay a minimum of 30% of their monthly adjusted income for rent and utilities. And getting help is easier than you might think. We provide rental assistance in the city of Duluth or Southern St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties.

Landlord Portal

Sign up now for Duluth HRA’s landlord portal! Access previous payment information, sign up for direct deposit payments from Duluth HRA, download your 1099 and more. Sign up instructions can also be downloaded below.
Landlord Portal Login

Documents & Forms

How To Participate

Rental Property Owners in Duluth and Southern St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties can participate.
  1. Market to Voucher Holders
    When advertising, add “Vouchers Accepted” to your advertisement. The Duluth HRA can also assist you by advertising your vacancy for free in our weekly vacancy listing that is available in the HRA lobby. Contact us to list a vacancy with the HRA.
    Since the Voucher Program is tenant -based, your ablility to participate is dependent on your unit being selected by a voucher-assisted tenant.There is no separate pre-qualification process for an owner or rental unit. Approval of your unit by the HRA is initiated through a unit-specific request by a voucher holder.
  2. Screen Prospective Renter
    Property owners and managers are responsible for screening renters. Screening may incude for credit, rental and criminal history. The HRA does not screen program participants for suitablilty as a prospective renter.
  3. Complete Request for Tenancy Approval; (RTA) Form
    Complete the Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) Form. Once you have approved the voucher holder as a renter, they will request that you complete the RTA. An the RTA form you will list the rent amount, mailing address for payment, phone number to contact for inspection, unit address, types of utilities and who is responsible to pay them, etc. The renter will return this form along with a lease and other required forms.
  4. How much can I charge for rent?
    You should research what comparable units are generating for rent in the private market. The HRA cannot approve a rent that exceeds what comparable unassisted units in the market receive. The tenant is eligible for a maximum subsidy, based on household income and the applicable HRA payment standards. The maximum assistance a household is eligible to receive is equal to the difference between 30% of a household’s monthly adjusted income and the applicable payment standard for their voucher size. The tenant must pay the difference between the maximum subsidy and the rent you are charging. Therefore, affordability may become an issue for the tenant if the rent you charge is above the payment standard. Under the Voucher Program, a renter is prohibitied from leasing a unit where their portion of the rent exceeds 40% of their monthly adjusted income in the first year.
  5. Inspection
    All rental units assisted through the Housing Choice Voucher Program must pass a Housing Quality Standard Inspection before we can start subsidy. Upon receiving a Request for Tenancy Approval for your unit, the HRA will arrange to do an inspection of the rental unit.
  6. Signing of Program Contracts
    You will receive a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract that shows the tenant’s and the HRA’s monthly payment obligation. Once you have signed and returned the HAP Contract and provided a copy of an executed lease with the tenant, the HRA will start sending a check for its portion directly to you on the 1st of each month. (If you have not done business with the HRA in the past year, you will be required to submit the IRS Form W-9 before a payment can be issued.) You are responsible for collecting the tenant’s portion of the monthly rent.
For more information on how to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, call 218-529-6300.
  1. Apply
    If you meet the income requirements, your first step is to fill out an application form and Tennessen Notice. You can download an application form from our applicants page, or you may call 218-529-6300 and ask for one to be mailed to you. Once completed and signed, they can be returned to us in person, by fax, or by mail to:
    HRA
    P.O. Box 16900
    222 East Second Street
    Duluth, MN 55816-0900
    Fax: 218-529-6344
  2. Wait
    After we receive your application your name will be placed on the waiting list based on the date and time we received it. Within a week or so of the HRA receiving your application you will be notified by mail that we received your application and the approximate timeframe before your name reached the top of the list. Remember to contact us if you move or change your mailing address.
  3. Eligibility
    Once your name reaches the top of the waiting list, you will be notified to come in for an appointment to determine final eligibility. After final eligibility has been determined, you will receive a voucher.
  4. Search
    Because Section 8 is private market assistance, it is your job to find suitable housing that is decent, safe and sanitary. After you have found a unit that meets these standards, and the landlord agrees to lease to your family under the Section 8 program, an HRA inspector will then make sure the unit meets all standards. Upon approval, the landlord and the HRA will enter into an agreement through which your monthly rent is supplemented by the HRA. You will be responsible for the difference between the total rent and the HRA payment.
  5. Move
    After all the paperwork is completed, your rental assistance can begin. Typically, Section 8 agreements are signed for a 12-month period and continue on a month-to-month basis. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? If you qualify for Section 8 assistance, our goal is to make the entire process as easy as possible.
We want to see you succeed, because we think that great things can happen when basic housing needs are adequately met. Our dedicated staff will answer any questions you have and will help you through every step of the process.
So, are you ready to get started? It all begins with one phone call. 218-529-6300

Hope VI Housing

In 2003, the Duluth HRA was awarded a $20 Million HUD HOPE VI grant for the revitalization of the Harbor View neighborhood. This has acted as a catalyst for significant housing development in Duluth over the last several years, including the construction of the following mixed-income rental developments. These properties offer rental units at market rates, below-market rates, and income-based public housing rental rates.

For more information or to apply for Village Place or the Village at Matterhorn, please contact the Duluth office of D.W. Jones Management, Inc. at 218-728-1204.
For more information or to apply for Harbor Highlands, please contact Van Rooy Properties at 218-464-4110 or at their onsite office located at 29 W 11th Street.
Harbor Highlands
Harbor Highlands
N. Lake Avenue & 12th Street
Village Place
Village Place
602 East 5th Street
The Village at Matterhorn
The Village at Matterhorn
4746 Matterhorn Circle