COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program funds still available through December

  • News
  • Oct 21, 2020

To help individuals and families adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, funds are still available through the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP). 

As communicated in August 2020, CHAP funds will assist those impacted by job loss, reduced work hours, illness, or other COVID-19 related circumstances. Assistance will cover past due rent payments, mortgage payments, homeowner association dues, contract for deed payments, homeowner insurance payments, utility payments, or other housing-related expenses that incurred after March 1, 2020. 

Eligibility details

You must be an Olmsted County resident, meet income guidelines, and have a qualifying expense that is past due because of the public health emergency due to unemployment, loss of income, illness, or other COVID-19 related issue. 

Anyone eligible for CHAP assistance is encouraged to apply now. To apply, visit visit www.211unitedway.org or text “MNRENT” or “MNHOME” to 898-211. You may also call 211 (Toll free: 1-800-543-7709). Funding will be available through December 2020. 

Eligible expenses 

CHAP funds may be used only for past due housing- and utility-related expenses. Only past due amounts incurred since March 1, 2020 will be considered. To learn more about CHAP, visit the Minnesota Housing website. 

Payment processing 

Olmsted County eligibility specialists will review all applications, verify proof of income and past due expense(s), and interview the head of household by phone. If an individual or household has a qualifying expense, funds must be paid directly to the landlord, mortgage company, utility company, or any other identified entity to which the payment is owed. Assistance WILL NOT be paid directly to individuals or households.

Olmsted County Family Support and Assistance contact information

  • Call 507-328-6500 (bi-lingual staff and interpreters are available).
  • Email questions and completed documents to PAQ@co.olmsted.mn.us. 
  • Fax: 507-328-7956.
  • Mail: 2117 Campus Dr. SE Suite 100, Rochester, MN 55904.

Please note: The 2117 Campus Dr. SE building is currently closed to public access, but staff are available by phone. If you have any questions, please contact 507-328-6500 or email PAQ@co.olmsted.mn.us.