Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Last year, housing seekers conducted nearly 1.3 million searches for affordable housing in Minnesota on housinglink.org. The 2018 survey data from housing case managers echoes this feedback. Among 139 respondents, case managers reported a monthly average of 376 clients finding housing, 424 clients getting on a waiting list, and 962 getting referrals to housing. The true total is surely much higher, given that the survey response represents just 10 percent of the more than 1,500 case managers registered on our website.
Beyond our general online housing search tool, HousingLink has developed programs to support renters who face the greatest challenges in finding housing. Our Beyond Backgrounds program, founded in 2018, connects landlords with renters who have barriers in their background, from criminal convictions to evictions to mental health issues. Especially in today's tight housing market, these renters would normally get passed over by landlords, but through a "risk mitigation fund" and other support, Beyond Backgrounds gives landlords the confidence to rent to households with barriers. Of the 54 participants housed through the program, 12 have now “graduated” from a 12-month lease, and 80% remained stably housed in their original unit. Further, no participating landlord has had to use the risk mitigation fund.
Current Goals
Enhance services for renters and service providers, expanding their housing choices and knowledge, so they are empowered to find stable housing and strengthen communities. Increase awareness and breadth of impact that HousingLink’s research & data has in the community, driving innovative solutions in affordable housing. Leverage HousingLink’s unique relationship with private market landlords to encourage a broad spectrum of listings while promoting the adoption of recognized best practices and increasing housing choice and quality in our community.
Community or Constituency Served
Anyone can search for affordable rental housing vacancies and waiting list openings in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Twin Cities suburbs, and throughout all of Minnesota. Landlords and property managers use our website to advertise their rental housing openings for free. Staff at human service agencies in Minnesota use HousingLink's resources to help their clients overcome barriers to their housing search, and to answer questions about subsidized housing programs in Minnesota. We also publish the status of subsidized housing waiting lists in the Twin Cities through the Housing Authority Waiting List. Finally, HousingLink conducts research that is used by policymakers and research organizations to shape affordable housing policy in the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota.
Geographic Area Served
State of Minnesota
