How long is the waitlist for Section 8?

Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.

211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.

Can single dads get TANF?

Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.

Housing & Financial in Minnesota

16 verified resources.

About Housing & Financial for Fathers

Housing and financial assistance for fathers comes through a combination of federal programs (HUD, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP) and state/local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with long waitlists in most markets. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program — every region has a Coordinated Entry system that assesses and places homeless adults and families. Rental assistance, utility assistance (LIHEAP), and one-time emergency funds are available through community action agencies and 211 referral lines. Fathers with children in their custody may qualify for Section 8 family priority and TANF, though state rules vary. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 call lines, and community action agencies that serve single dads.

Housing & Financial in Minnesota

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 are other major metros. Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid cover the state through regional LSC-funded programs.

16 Resources

1. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency — Free

State agency administering affordable housing, rental assistance, homebuyer loans, and homeowner education programs from the Wabasha Street North office in St. Paul. Serves low- and moderate-income Minnesotans statewide. Apply online or through a participating lender or housing partner; bring photo ID, pay stubs, tax returns, and rent or mortgage documents. Free information.

651-296-7608 · 400 Wabasha St N #400, St. Paul, MN 55102 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Hennepin County Emergency Assistance — Free

Financial help for rent, utilities, and emergency housing for Hennepin County residents facing crisis from the Portland Avenue service center in Minneapolis. Funds limited; apply in person or online. Bring photo ID, Social Security numbers for household, pay stubs, past-due notices, lease, and any eviction paperwork. Free services for income-eligible households facing imminent loss of housing.

612-596-1300 · 525 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Ramsey County Emergency Assistance — Free

Emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and basic needs for Ramsey County households facing crisis from the Kellogg Boulevard office in St. Paul. Apply in person or online; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, pay stubs, past-due notices, lease, and any eviction paperwork. Free services for income-eligible households. Funds limited and awarded based on need.

651-266-4444 · 160 E Kellogg Blvd #1100, St. Paul, MN 55101 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. CommonBond Communities — Free

Affordable housing developer and service provider with apartment communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, headquartered on Kellogg Boulevard West in St. Paul. Supportive services include advantage programs, employment help, and youth education. Apply to individual properties via their online waitlists; bring photo ID, pay stubs, and rental history. Rents set by income.

651-291-1750 · 328 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul, MN 55102 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Salvation Army – Minnesota Housing — Free

Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rent/utility assistance from the Harbor Light Center in downtown Minneapolis and other Twin Cities sites. Walk in during intake hours or call for screening. Bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, any eviction or past-due notices, and income verification. Free services for income-eligible households facing homelessness or imminent housing loss.

612-332-5855 · 900 N 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

6. Greater Minnesota Housing Fund — Free

Nonprofit that finances and supports affordable housing development across greater Minnesota from the Minnesota Street office in St. Paul. Partners with developers and communities outside the metro to build and preserve housing. Not a direct-service agency for tenants; residents should contact local housing partners. Developers and communities can apply online for financing. Free information.

651-221-1997 · 332 Minnesota St #1650, St. Paul, MN 55101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Simpson Housing Services — Free

Emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and street outreach for homeless adults and families in Minneapolis from the 1st Avenue South campus. 24/7 shelter intake for single adults; families referred via coordinated entry. Bring photo ID and any existing housing paperwork if available. Free services; staff also connect residents to health care, employment, and benefits.

612-874-8683 · 2740 1st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 · 24/7 shelter · Visit Website

8. LSS Financial Counseling — Free

Free certified financial counseling, debt management, budgeting, student loan help, and housing counseling statewide through Lutheran Social Service from the Como Avenue office in St. Paul. Phone and online counseling available across Minnesota. Call or enroll online; bring recent pay stubs, monthly bills, and a list of debts. Free counseling; optional debt management plans charge a low monthly fee.

888-577-2227 · 2485 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Minnesota Homeownership Center — Free

Free statewide homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention counseling, and reverse mortgage counseling through a network of HUD-approved partners, coordinated from the Payne Avenue office in St. Paul. Classes available online and at partner nonprofits. Bring photo ID, recent pay stubs, mortgage statements, and correspondence from lenders. Free services; counseling is confidential.

651-659-9336 · 1000 Payne Ave #200, St. Paul, MN 55130 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Union Gospel Mission – Twin Cities — Free

Emergency shelter, meals, recovery housing, and job readiness services for homeless men, women, and children from the University Avenue East campus in St. Paul. Walk-in shelter intake nightly; recovery programs require application and commitment. Bring photo ID if available but not required for emergency shelter. Free services; supported by donations and partner churches.

651-222-8427 · 435 University Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55130 · 24/7 shelter · Visit Website

11. YWCA Minneapolis – Housing Programs — Free

Transitional and affordable housing programs for families and women in the Twin Cities from the Nicollet Mall headquarters. Includes supportive services, workforce development, and early childhood education. Apply through YWCA waitlists or coordinated entry; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, income verification, and family documents. Free services for income-eligible households.

612-215-4300 · 1130 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Dakota County Community Development Agency — Free

Affordable housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, first-time homebuyer loans, and senior housing for Dakota County residents from the Town Centre Drive office in Eagan. Apply to waitlists online or in person; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, pay stubs, and rental history. Free application; rents and loan terms based on household income. Serves Dakota County only.

651-675-4400 · 1228 Town Centre Dr, Eagan, MN 55123 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

13. Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority — Free

Public housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and affordable housing programs for Duluth area families from the East 2nd Street office. Apply to waitlists in person or online; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers for household, pay stubs, and rental history. Free application; rents based on household income. Serves the city of Duluth with waitlist durations that vary by program.

218-722-7161 · 222 E 2nd St, Duluth, MN 55805 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

14. Rochester Area Foundation – Housing Fund — Free

Community foundation supporting affordable housing development, workforce housing, and financial assistance programs in the Rochester area from the South Broadway office. Partners with nonprofits and developers; not a direct-service landlord. Residents seeking rental assistance should ask for referrals to local providers. Free information; foundation awards grants to qualifying housing initiatives.

507-282-7220 · 400 South Broadway #300, Rochester, MN 55904 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

15. Habitat for Humanity – Twin Cities — Free

Affordable homeownership through partner builds, home repair, and first-time buyer education from the University Avenue West office in St. Paul. Serves income-qualified families across the metro. Apply online; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, pay stubs, tax returns, and credit authorization. Homeowners contribute sweat equity hours and purchase with affordable mortgages.

612-331-4090 · 1954 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

16. Prepare + Prosper — Free

Free tax preparation, financial coaching, and savings programs for low- and moderate-income families from the University Avenue West office in St. Paul. Offers IRS-certified volunteer tax assistance during tax season. Appointments fill quickly; bring photo ID for each adult, Social Security cards for all household members, all tax forms (W-2, 1099), and last year's return. Free services.

651-287-0187 · 2610 University Ave W #450, St. Paul, MN 55114 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

Housing & Financial — Common Questions

How long is the waitlist for Section 8?: Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Can single dads get TANF?: Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
What's LIHEAP?: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.