Saint Paul staff outline $1 million Emergency Rental Assistance pilot to avert evictions

City of Saint Paul staff on Feb. 13 presented a draft framework for an Emergency Rental Assistance pilot funded with a $1,000,000 allocation from LAHA resources intended to help tenants avoid evictions by providing a one-time payment directly to landlords.

Housing Policy Coordinator Rachel Fonazidal described the program’s purpose, eligibility and proposed operations, saying the assistance would be capped at $2,500 — one month’s rent or $2,500, whichever is less — and paid directly to property owners. "$2,500 one time," Fonazidal said when commissioners sought clarification, adding that the payment could include late fees and court fees related to that month’s rent.

Fonazidal said eligible housing types would include apartments, whole-home rentals, rent-to-own agreements with a rental component and room rentals with a documented rental arrangement. Ineligible sites include emergency shelters, domestic violence shelters, places unfit for habitation and informal "couch surfing." Tenants must live in Saint Paul, have an active lease or other proof of legal tenancy, and demonstrate that an unforeseen circumstance led to a 14-day eviction notice. Fonazidal explained that the program will accept the 14-day notice of intent to evict as the qualifying trigger rather than waiting until an eviction is filed in court: "When we say an eviction notice, we mean that 14 day notice so that we're giving not only tenants more time to be able to get that application in, but we're also giving staff time to be able to work with their landlords."

Income eligibility will be limited to households at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). Applicants may qualify via several documentation pathways: (1) an existing program verification letter showing household income below 80% AMI; (2) tax returns; (3) pay stubs and other standard verifications; or (4) self-employment profit-and-loss plus a 1040. Fonazidal said staff prefer using existing verification (category 1) when possible to reduce administrative burden on applicants and staff.

On process, Fonazidal outlined that tenants would apply via an online portal or paper application, submit supporting documents and sign a sworn affidavit attesting to the facts in their application. Landlords would complete a landlord form, provide a W-9 for payment, and staff would process a verified application in roughly three business days once complete. Fonazidal noted staff cannot speak to landlords about an application unless the tenant signs a release of information within the application.

Commissioners asked about overlap with Ramsey County’s emergency rental assistance. Chair Johnson and Director Newton said Ramsey County’s program typically provides assistance after an eviction is filed; by contrast the city pilot aims to intervene during the 14-day notice period to prevent filing and the long-term housing record consequences that follow an eviction filing. "Ramsey County is able to support and provide rental assistance once an individual is evicted," Chair Johnson said; the proposed pilot is aimed at preventing eviction filings.

Commissioners also discussed timeline and outreach. Chair Johnson and staff said the $1,000,000 pilot is intended to launch in late March or by April 1 if logistics are complete; staff noted the timeline depends on finalizing legal review, the online portal and communications materials. Proposed outreach includes translation into Spanish, Hmong, Somali and Karen and targeted coordination with school social workers, district councils, rec centers and libraries. Commissioner Yang suggested leveraging the city’s contracted multilingual news outlets for outreach.

Staff cautioned the framework remains a draft; they will return with final program guidelines for commission review. Commissioners broadly praised the prevention-focused approach and asked staff to coordinate closely with Ramsey County to avoid unintended reductions in county service.