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Direct Housing Assistance Program

Financial help to pay home rent or mortgage for Wilder clients, participants and their families

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Wilder's Direct Housing Assistance Program provides financial relief for you and your family, allowing you to focus on your self-identified goals and prevent your household from entering a crisis. Upon approval of the application and supporting documents, Wilder sends direct payments to your landlord or mortgage company on your behalf for up to 12 months, paying a maximum of $3,000 in financial assistance ($350 for the first 6 months, $200 for 3 months, and $100 for 3 months).

After pausing applications due to an overwhelming response, we have resumed accepting applications for Direct Housing Assistance as of September 8, 2023. Please check the eligibility criteria below and apply online!

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How the Direct Housing Assistance Program works:

You're eligible to apply as a Wilder client/participant OR if your family member (parent, grandparent, child or sibling) is also enrolled in Direct Housing Assistance Program
Contact your Wilder provider for more information on this program OR send an email to our Direct Housing Assistance Team at dha@wilder.org. Translation services are available.
We'll provide and navigate the program details with you and answer any questions you may have about the program, process, or types of supporting documentation you'll need to apply.
You can then apply online or in-person with our team. Just let us know what you prefer.
Once approved, we will set up and start sending direct payments to your landlord or mortgage company.

Check Program Eligibility Requirements

You are a current Wilder client or participant, have a family member (parent, grandparent, child or sibling) enrolled in Direct Housing Assistance when applying, OR are referred by an approved community partner.
You currently rent or are a homeowner with your name listed on the mortgage deed.
You have not participated in the Direct Housing Assistance Program in the past 12 months.
You are able to provide required, supporting documents like identification for all adult (18+) household members, lease or mortgage deed, income verification.
You have not been employed by Wilder in the past 90 days. Current Wilder employees are not eligible to apply.
You meet yearly income guidelines by household size (see income guidelines below). Your household's combined income requirement include but is not limited to wages/earned income, self-employment, child support, SSI/SSDI/RSDI, retirement, MFIP.
You are currently housed in a housing unit within Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey, Hennepin, Scott, or Washington County or you are a homeowner with your name listed on the mortgage deed in the service area. *Applicants that are currently receiving a rental subsidy are required to be paying at least 50% of their income towards rent/utilities.

Check Yearly Income Guidelines by Household Size

Household Size	Maximum (per year)
1	$43,500
2	$49,700
3	$55,900
4	$62,100
5	$67,100
6	$72,050
7	$77,050
8	$82,000

Check Program Expectations

You are encouraged, but ARE NOT required to continue engaging and/or participating in services with the referring program to be eligible to receive financial assistance through this program.
You are expected to maintain and/or increase their existing income prior to program exit.
You must remain in your current housing placement at program entry unless you unable to due to a safety hazard being presented.
You are expected to remain lease abiding as articulated in original lease terms and, expectations.

Apply online for the Direct Housing Assistance Program

Email dha@wilder.org with questions or for more information.

Apply for the Direct Housing Assistance Program

When COVID affected finances, Direct Housing Assistance helped Pam’s family avoid crisis

Pam and her husband are homeowners with a large family. They were greatly affected when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and their work hours were reduced. Wilder staff worked with Pam through a challenging process to ensure she could obtain housing assistance, paid directly to her mortgage company, giving the family some breathing room in their budget during a tough time.

“The relief Pam showed gave us a greater appreciation for Direct Housing Assistance, and the big picture of how families’ lives can transform with this 12-month program,” says Antonia, who manages special initiatives in Wilder’s supportive housing services.

The initiative is just one way that Wilder provides responsive services with and for clients even when many funding streams have specific requirements for how services are delivered. I’m excited about the commitment of Wilder and the community to continue finding ways to serve the needs of whole families.

Nona Ferguson, Vice President, Economic Stability and Aging Services

Antonia Coleman

Program Manager - Special Initiatives, Supportive Housing Services

Joela Davis

Housing Case Manager - Special Initiatives, Supportive Housing Services

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Direct Housing Assistance Program

Financial help to pay home rent or mortgage for Wilder clients, participants and their families

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About the Direct Housing Assistance Program