Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.
Minnesota district courts hear family matters across its 87 counties. The Child Support Enforcement Division operates under DHS. Minneapolis-Saint Paul anchors the state; Rochester, Duluth, and Bloomington follow. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and Violence Free Minnesota (the statewide DV coalition) serve women.
Minnesota Housing at 400 Wabasha St N in St. Paul administers the state's affordable rental, first-time homebuyer, and homeowner-assistance programs, including Bridges rental assistance for households with mental illness. Call 651-296-7608 weekdays to ask which programs you may qualify for; many require applying through a local partner agency.
651-296-7608 · 400 Wabasha St N Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55102 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Minnesota's emergency rental and utility assistance is administered through Minnesota Housing and local partner agencies. Dial 211 weekdays to be screened and routed to the right county program, whether you are in the Twin Cities metro or a rural county. Bring proof of income, your lease, and any eviction or shut-off notice when you call.
211 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
MPHA at 1001 Washington Ave N runs the city's 6,000+ public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). Mothers can apply when waitlists are open — preferences may apply for working families, veterans, and homeless households. Call 612-342-1400 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm to confirm current waitlist status before applying.
612-342-1400 · 1001 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
St. Paul PHA at 555 Wabasha runs the city's public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and senior high-rises. The agency also operates targeted family voucher programs in partnership with St. Paul Public Schools' Project REACH. Call 651-298-5664 weekdays to check waitlist openings and intake requirements.
651-298-5664 · 555 Wabasha St N Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55102 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm
Twin Cities Habitat at 3001 4th St SE in Minneapolis is one of the largest Habitat affiliates in the country, building homes across Hennepin and Ramsey counties and offering qualifying families a 0%-interest mortgage. Mothers can call 612-331-4090 weekdays to learn about the next homeownership info session and eligibility steps.
612-331-4090 · 3001 4th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
CommonBond at 328 W Kellogg in St. Paul is the largest nonprofit affordable-housing developer in the Upper Midwest, operating 100+ properties across MN with on-site Advantage Services (after-school programs, employment, financial coaching). Call 651-291-1750 weekdays to ask which CommonBond property is taking applications in your area.
651-291-1750 · 328 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
MinnCAP at 320 W Wentworth in West St. Paul coordinates Minnesota's 24 Community Action Agencies, which deliver Energy Assistance, Head Start, emergency services, and weatherization across every county. Call 651-645-7386 weekdays to be referred to the CAA covering your county.
651-645-7386 · 320 W Wentworth Ave, West St. Paul, MN 55118 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps low-income households pay heating, cooling, and emergency utility bills — critical during MN's long winters. Call 800-657-3710 weekdays to apply through your local Community Action Agency; income limits roughly track 60% of state median income.
800-657-3710 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Salvation Army Northern Division at 2727 Central Ave NE in Minneapolis operates emergency shelter, transitional housing, food shelves, and one-time rent and utility assistance across the Twin Cities and greater MN. Call 612-332-5855 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm to find the corps office serving your zip code.
612-332-5855 · 2727 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
HUD.gov is the federal entry point for Section 8, public housing, homeless services, and FHA loan information, with a locator for HUD field offices including the Minneapolis field office that oversees MN, ND, SD, and Wisconsin housing programs.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
HUD's Continuum of Care portal lists Minnesota's CoC contacts (Hennepin, Ramsey, Suburban Hennepin, and Greater Minnesota) — the right entry point to coordinated entry for women experiencing homelessness across the state.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
LIHEAP is the federal program that funds Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program through the MN Department of Commerce. The national site explains eligibility, weatherization options, and crisis-benefit timelines — useful for MN women applying for the first time during a winter heating emergency.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Salvation Army's national 'Find Help' tool locates the nearest corps office, food shelf, or thrift store — useful when a Minnesota mother needs a corps outside the Twin Cities (Rochester, Duluth, Mankato, St. Cloud, Brainerd) for one-time rent or utility assistance.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Catholic Charities has a strong Minnesota presence through Catholic Charities Twin Cities (Higher Ground Saint Paul, Dorothy Day Place) and regional offices in St. Cloud, Crookston, Duluth, and Winona. Services are open to women of any faith and include shelter, food, and family support.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Minnesota's local United Ways — Greater Twin Cities United Way, United Way of Olmsted County, Head of the Lakes United Way, and others — fund 211 and a wide range of basic-needs partner agencies. The national site links to each MN affiliate's local program list.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Habitat's national site links to affiliates across Minnesota beyond the Twin Cities, including Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, Mankato, and Bemidji. Mothers outside the metro can find their local affiliate's homeownership and home-repair programs through the affiliate map.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Family Promise is a national network helping homeless families regain housing through congregation-based hospitality. Affiliates serve Minnesota in Anoka County, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, St. Cloud, and Rochester — among the few programs in MN that take intact families with older boys.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website