The Washington County CDA provides help with housing costs to over 650 families through a variety of state and federal programs. The programs we operate are listed below. Unfortunately, many of these programs are not accepting new applications due to a lack of program funding.
Rental Assistance Programs
Housing Choice Vouchers
(Section 8)
The housing choice voucher program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, individuals, the elderly, and the disabled to access affordable housing in the private market. The CDA administers this federal program for all of Washington County with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
If determined eligible participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. The participant’s rent is based on their household income and the amount of subsidy allowed by the program. The program provides rental assistance which is the difference between the participant’s rent portion and the contract rent. The rental assistance is paid by the CDA directly to the property owner on the first of each month. The assistance is transferable to other units and moves with the participant so long as the participant remains eligible and has not violated any program rules.
Public Housing
We currently own and operate 40 apartment units in Forest Lake. Qualifying individuals pay up to 30% of their adjusted monthly income for rent. Because assistance is tied to the unit and not to the renter, this type of assistance can’t be transferred. If a participant moves, they lose their assistance.
Bridges
This program provides housing for individuals and families of individuals who have a serious and persistent mental illness. Participants pay up to 40% of their gross monthly income for rent. Participants must be diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness.
