Last Edited: April 1, 2026
Thank you for your interest in the Emergency Rental Assistance. Applications will be open the first two days of each month. Due to high demand, applicants will be entered into a lottery. All applications will be notified of their application status on the 3rd day of the month. Being selected in the lottery is not a guarantee of funding.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program offers support to renter households in Saint Paul facing a pending eviction due to unforeseen circumstances when other assistance options are unavailable. Eligible households may receive a one-time payment of up to $3,500 for late rent and associated fees, paid directly to the landlord. Residents are only eligible for funding once a year.
*Households must earn 80% of AMI or less in accordance with the Minneapolis – St. Paul – Bloomington, MN – WI HUD Metro Fair Market Rent Area as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.
| Fiscal Year 2025 80% Area Median Income | |||||||
1 Person $72,950 | 2 Persons $83,400 | 3 Persons $93,800 | 4 Persons $104,200 | 5 Persons $112,550 | 6 Persons $120,900 | 7 Persons $129,250 | 8 Persons $137,550 |
Category 1 | Category 2 | Category 3 | Category 4 |
Proof you are currently enrolled in any qualified program (Must have an award letter showing current enrollment; cards are not accepted) | Tax return for the most recent year | Proof of income (provide documents for all earners over 18) | Self employment (provide all documents listed here) |
**If you are enrolled in another program that you don't see, contact staff for eligibility |
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You can either apply online at stpaul.gov/era or over the phone. Please contact staff at 651-266-6671 in order to complete an application over the phone. Paper applications can be made available via email, mailed, or delivered in person if you contact staff in advance, however, we encourage calling first.
The assistance is sent directly to the landlord.
We anticipate all applications selected by lottery will be processed in one month. Having a complete application from both you and your landlord, the process moves more quickly.
The program is operated via a lottery, and applicants will be notified of their lottery status on the 3rd day of the month.
A complete application has the tenant form, landlord form, and all required supplemental documents.
Please contact us at StPaulERA@stpaul.gov or 651-266-6671 during the application period. Staff can either answer your question immediately or put you in contact with a project manager for more information.
Once you submit your application, you will be assigned a project manager and can contact them directly.
Is there a management company your landlord hires? Otherwise, please provide everything you know about them in your application, and make sure you sign the application so city staff can help find and contact your landlord.
No. This program can provide up to a total of $3,500 per applicant household to cover any late rent and any associated fees. If you owe more than $3,500 in late rent, you can apply to other programs that may be able to provide assistance. We recommend you start by calling United Way’s 211 help line. We cannot approve an application until the remaining balance owed to your landlord is at $3,500 or less.
There are a few resources available, including HOMEline, and Southern MN Regional Legal Services (SMRLS). However, another great resource is to make sure you attend your hearing date if it has been set. Ramsey County operates a court clinic. You can set up an appointment on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. to schedule by calling 651-266-8391.
This program requires that you have received a 30-Day Notice to Quit/30-Day notice of intent to evict OR an eviction court summons. We cannot accept applications for tenants who have only received a late rent notice.
This program only covers late rent and any associated fees for a maximum of $3,500.
This program only covers rent for people facing an eviction. Please contact United Way by calling 211 for up-to-date information on a variety of programs that may be able to help.
This program only covers rent for people facing an eviction. Foreclosure prevention advising can be found here: https://www.hocmn.org/for-homeowners/foreclosure-prevention/
Most likely. When you apply, be sure to sign the application so a project manager can work with your landlord, since they may have a copy of your lease.
Yes! You can apply, so long as you fit the program requirements such as having proof of an eviction.
All application and marketing, electronic interface, and print materials will be translated into English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, and in some cases, Karen and Oromo. Intake and navigation services are also available in these languages.
Applicants needing additional language assistance can request accommodations by contacting City staff.
For emergency assistance: