Direct Housing Assistance Program

To qualify for this program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Program Affiliation
You must be a current Wilder client or participant, have a family member enrolled in the Direct Housing Assistance Program at the time of application, or be referred by an approved community partner.

Housing Status
You currently rent or own a home with your name on the lease or mortgage deed.

Program Participation History
You have not participated in the Direct Housing Assistance program within the past 12 months.

Documentation
You can provide all required supporting documents, including:

• Identification for all adult household members (18+).
• A copy of your lease or mortgage deed.
• Income verification documents.

Employment Restrictions
Wilder has not employed you in the past 90 days, and current Wilder employees are not eligible to apply.

Income Guidelines
Your household must meet yearly income limits based on size (see income guidelines below). Household income includes, but is not limited to:

• Wages/earned income.
• Self-employment income.
• Child support.
• SSI/SSDI/RSDI benefits.
• Retirement income.
• MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program).

Rental Subsidy Recipients
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. If you are currently receiving a rental subsidy, you must pay at least 50% of your income toward rent and utilities.

Follow these steps to ensure a smooth application process:

Confirm Eligibility
Verify that you meet the program’s eligibility requirements. If applicable, ask your referring partner to complete the Referral Form. They can visit this site to download and fill out the form.

Complete the Application
Submit your application online or in person with our team. The application process will take approximately 30 minutes, so please allocate sufficient time to complete it in one sitting, as you cannot save your progress and return later.

Prepare Supporting Documents
To complete your application, you will need to upload the following documents:

• Photo Identification for all adult household members (18+).
• Housing Verification (e.g., lease agreement, mortgage deed, or purchase agreement).
• Income Verification (e.g., pay stubs, receipts, bank statements, or income tax returns for self-employed individuals).
• Additionally, your landlord or mortgage company must provide a completed W-9 form to facilitate payment processing.

Get Assistance from Your Wilder Provider
Contact your Wilder provider for guidance on program details and support throughout the application process. They can answer questions, review your application, and ensure all required documentation is included. Translation services are available upon request.

Payment Setup
Once your application is approved and the W-9 form is received, we will begin sending direct payments to your landlord or mortgage com

To ensure successful participation in this program, please adhere to the following expectations:

Engagement with the Referring Program
While you are encouraged to continue engaging and/or participating in services with the referring program, this is not a requirement to remain eligible for financial assistance.

Income Maintenance or Growth
You are expected to maintain and/or increase your existing income before exiting the program.

Housing Stability
You must remain in your current housing placement as of program entry unless relocation is necessary due to a safety hazard.

Lease Compliance
You are expected to abide by the terms and conditions outlined in your original lease agreement.

By meeting these expectations, you contribute to the success of your participation in the program. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out for support.