The Dakota County CDA was awarded 50 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) through funding authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

All 50 vouchers are currently utilized.

These vouchers are distributed via the Coordinated Entry system.  To learn if you are eligible for Coordinated Entry and/or to be referred to a Coordinated Entry assessor, please contact the Dakota County Housing Resources Line (651-554-5751; housingresource@co.dakota.mn.us).

To be eligible, an individual or family must meet one of the following eligibility categories (in order of priority):

1. Homeless
2. At risk of homelessness
3. Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking
4. Recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability

The Housing Choice Voucher Program partners with private rental market landlords to provide affordable housing opportunities for over 2,700 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 open. Visit www.myhousing.dakotacda.org to apply. 

Housing Choice Voucher Program Flyer

For applicants on the waiting list:

• The CDA will contact you by email when your name reaches the top of the list to start the verification process to determine program eligibility.
• Notify the CDA of email or mailing address changes. This can be done online through the CDA MyHousing website:  www.myhousing.dakotacda.org

If you have questions, please email the CDA at applications@dakotacda.org.

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. Additionally, the CDA administers Project Based Vouchers for Cahill Place in Inver Grove Heights (a supportive housing development for families).

The waiting list for the Project Based Voucher Program is closed.

If you previously applied in 2018 for the Project Based Voucher waiting list, you can check your status online at www.myhousing.dakotacda.org.

In the Project Based Voucher program, eligible households will pay 30% of their monthly income towards rent. The voucher will pay the difference between the household’s rent portion and the contract rent to the landlord or property owner. Households must qualify for a two- or three-bedroom unit based on the Project Based Voucher income limits.

A minimum amount of income is not required.

Income limits are as of May 2023. Income limits are subject to change.

The Dakota County CDA’s Bridges program serves individuals with serious mental illness to provide them with supportive resources and housing assistance. This program provides 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 by the CDA.

Priority is given to people living in an institution, segregated setting, or under corrections supervision who will be homeless upon exit.  Second priority is given to those experiencing homelessness and are assessed as High Priority Homeless through Coordinated Entry. If you believe you qualify please contact Dakota County Coordinated Entry/Housing Resource Line for assessment 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.

These vouchers are distributed via the Coordinated Entry system.  To learn if you are eligible for Coordinated Entry and/or to be referred to a Coordinated Entry assessor, please contact the Dakota County Housing Resource Line (651-554-5751; housingresource@co.dakota.mn.us).

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.

These vouchers are distributed via Dakota County Social Services. Households must be open to Child Protection or Child Welfare services and should discuss voucher eligibility with their social worker.

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.

These vouchers are distributed via the Coordinated Entry system.  To learn if you are eligible for Coordinated Entry and/or to be referred to a Coordinated Entry assessor, please contact the Dakota County Housing Resource Line (651-554-5751; housingresource@co.dakota.mn.us).

The Mainstream Voucher Program serves families composed of one or more non-elderly (18 years of age or older and less than 62 years of age) persons with disabilities, which may include additional members who are not non-elderly persons with disabilities. Program participants contribute between 30-40% of their income toward rent. The remaining portion of their rent is paid by the CDA.

Priority is given to people living in an institution, segregated setting, or under corrections supervision who will be homeless upon exit. If you believe you qualify, contact Dakota County Coordinated Entry/Housing Crisis Line for assessment at 651-554-5751. If you do not meet this priority but believe you are eligible, complete a Housing Choice Voucher application at www.myhousing.dakotacda.org.

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 651-675-4545.

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:

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

Dakota County Housing Resources
651-554-5751

HousingLink
www.housinglink.org

Additional Rental Assistance Resources