The Housing Choice Voucher Program partners with private rental market landlords to provide affordable housing opportunities for over 2,600 family, elderly, handicapped and disabled households in Dakota County. The CDA administers this federally funded program in Dakota County.

Current participants of the Housing Choice Voucher program pay a minimum of 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards their rent. The voucher pays the remaining rent amount to the landlord or property owner. Vouchers stay with the family/tenant and not with the housing unit. This allows for more flexibility in housing choices and options.

The waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is closed. The CDA is not accepting applications at this time. 

The Dakota County CDA received over 6,000 applications for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section8) waiting list in July 2018. The CDA received more applications than there were spots available on the list. 1,500 applications were randomly selected for placement on the list.

All applicants were sent an email on August 24, 2018, that indicates if they were or were not placed on the waiting list.

For applicants on the waiting list:

• The CDA will contact you by mail when your name reaches the top of the list to start the verification process to determine program eligibility.
• Notify the CDA of mailing address changes.
  • Online through the CDA MyHousing website
    www.myhousing.dakotacda.org
  • In writing by mail to the CDA
    Dakota County CDA
    Attn: Section 8 Waiting List Updates
    1228 Town Centre Drive
    Eagan MN 55123

We anticipate that the waiting list will be closed for at least 1 1/2 years.

If you have questions, please email the CDA at applications@dakotacda.state.mn.us.

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program Information

The Project Based Voucher Program, much like the Housing Choice Voucher Program, provides low- and moderate-income households with monthly rental assistance.  The only difference is that the Project Based Voucher stays with the housing unit, rather than with the tenant. The CDA administers Project Based Voucher contracts with two privately-owned rental properties in Dakota County: Hidden Ponds in Apple Valley and Cedar Villas Townhomes in Eagan.

Unfortunately, the waiting list for the Project Based Voucher Program is closed and we are not accepting applications at this time.

If you applied online during for the PBV waiting lists at Hidden Ponds or Cedar Villas between March 29 – April 13, 2018, you can check your status online after May 18, 2018 at www.myhousing.dakotacda.org or call 651-675-4534 to check your status.

Click on the link below for more information about the Project Based Voucher program requirements, waiting list opening and application process.

Project Based Voucher Program Information

The Bridges Program serves individuals with serious mental illness to provide them with supportive resources and housing assistance. This program was developed to provide a temporary subsidy that will ‘bridge’ the gap between homelessness, treatment centers, institutional facilities to permanent affordable housing. Program participants contribute between 30-40% of their income toward rent. The remaining portion of their rent is paid through a grant funded by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

The Dakota County CDA obtains referrals for this program from Dakota County Community Services. For more information or to apply for this program, contact the Dakota County Housing Line at 651-554-5751.

The Continuum of Care program provides rent assistance for homeless and disabled individuals. In partnership with the Dakota County Community Services, participants can also receive support services.

The Dakota County CDA obtains referrals for this program from Dakota County Community Services. For more information or to apply for this program, contact the Dakota County Housing Line at 651-554-5751.

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program was established to assist current Housing Choice Voucher holders to become self-sufficient. The program coordinates and provides private and public sector support services needed to help both individual and family voucher holders achieve self-sufficiency goals. The program helps participants to set up an escrow savings account that will be used to reach their goals, such as a downpayment on a home, reliable transportation, repayment of student loans, etc.

For more information on the Family Self Sufficiency Program, please contact the Housing Specialist at 651-675-4535.

The Family Unification Program provides housing resources to child-welfare families to prevent the separation of children from their parents due to inadequate housing. The program is also designed to support children aging out of foster care and helps to give them access to housing and supportive services. The CDA currently supports 100 families through the Family Unification Program.

The Dakota County CDA obtains referrals for this program from Dakota County Community Services. For more information or to apply for this program, contact the Dakota County Housing Line at 651-554-5751.

The Housing Trust Fund Programs serve individuals and families that:

•  Meet the definition of:
  • homeless,
  • long-term homeless,
  • near homeless, or
• Individuals exiting a Minnesota Correctional Facility.

These programs were developed to provide a temporary subsidy where the program participant contributes 30% of their income toward rent. The remaining portion of their rent is paid through a grant funded by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

For more information or to apply for this program, contact the Dakota County Housing Line at 651-554-5751.

The Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing Program (VASH) was established to provide long-term case management, supportive services and permanent housing support for our communities’ most vulnerable and chronically homeless Veterans. Participants of this program have access to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) case management services that promote housing stability and support recoveries from physical and mental illnesses, as well as substance use disorders. These services are specifically designed to improve the Veteran’s physical and mental health while enhancing the veteran’s ability to live in safe and affordable housing in Dakota County.

VASH is a unique partnership between the VA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Participants of this program must meet the following CDA and VA eligibility requirements:

• Must be eligible for VA health care services,
• Require and engage in case management services to obtain and sustain housing, and
• Are homeless. Priority is given to those veterans who meet the definition of chronically homeless and with high vulnerability.

The Dakota County CDA obtains referrals for this program from the VA Community Resource & Referral Center in Minneapolis. For more information or to apply for this program, contact the Community Resource & Referral Center at 612-313-3240.

For more information on VASH, please contact the Housing Specialist at 651-675-4546.

While the CDA wishes we could help every person in need, there may be other programs and resources available that are more suitable for some situations.

Please refer to these programs for additional assistance:

Heading Home: Dakota County Housing Crisis Line
651-554-5751
Call Heading Home first for emergency housing needs in Dakota County.

Dakota County Resources
Dakota County Cash & Emergency Assistance
651-554-5611

Dakota County Housing Assistance
651-554-5751

Dakota County Housing Resources
651-554-5751

HousingLink
www.housinglink.org

Additional Rental Assistance Resources