Project Based Vouchers Rent Assistance Program

Who is eligible to receive Bring It Home rental assistance? 
Households with an annual income up to 50% AMI, paying more than 30% of income towards rent are eligible. 

• Priority shall be given to households with children 18 and under with an annual income up to 30% AMI.  

• Program administrators may establish additional priority populations based on local need. 

Can households already receiving federal rental assistance switch to Bring It Home? 
Households currently receiving federal rental assistance do not qualify for Bring It Home. 

Is there an immigration status requirement for participants? 
Metro HRA will use the Housing Choice Voucher program’s eligible non-citizen and citizenship requirements. 

Can existing PBV properties add Bring It Home units? 
Unfortunately, no. All properties will need to submit a proposal through Metro HRA’s competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process when it is made available. 

What is the minimum and maximum number of units per property for Bring It Home PBVs? 
When released, this information will be provided in Metro HRA’s PBV RFP. 

Are there limits on the percentage of units in a building that can be subsidized? 
When released, this information will be provided in Metro HRA’s PBV RFP. 

Will Bring It Home PBVs follow the same inspection standards as federal PBVs? 
Yes. 

What is the standard contract term for Bring It Home PBVs? 
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) is finalizing the PBV Contract. The initial PBV contract term will be two (2) years with options to renew every two years, up to twenty (20) years.  

How will shorter contract terms affect project underwriting or financing? 
Project underwriting and financing questions should be directed to MHFA.  

Can PBVs be committed to new construction projects that are not yet fully funded? 
The goal of the program is for families to have access to rental assistance as quickly as possible. Commitment of Bring It Home vouchers to new construction PBVs will impact current voucher availability. There is continued discussion at MHFA on this topic. Additional information about new construction and existing PBV commitments will be available when Metro HRA’s PBV RFP is released. 

Will reserves be required due to shorter contract terms? 
Financial feasibility questions should be directed to MHFA. 

Will housing authorities split vouchers between tenant-based and project-based? If so, how?
Yes. Metro HRA will use Bring It Home vouchers for both tenant-based and project-based assistance. Metro HRA will project-base up to 250 vouchers. When released, specific information about voucher availability will be provided in Metro HRA’s PBV RFP.

Will Bring It Home use the same payment standards and utility allowances as the federal program?
Yes.

Will tenants have portability options under Bring It Home?
No. Bring It Home program participants will be required to live in Metro HRA’s jurisdiction. A map of Metro HRA’s jurisdiction can be found here: Twin Cities Area Housing Authorities Map.

Will tenants in PBV units be eligible for tenant-based vouchers after one year?
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) is exploring this option with their legal team. If allowable, when a household is eligible to receive a tenant-based voucher will be at the program administrator’s discretion.

When will RFPs for Bring It Home PBVs be issued?
Unknown at this time but likely quarter 1 or quarter 2 of 2026.

Can developers express interest before RFPs are released?
There is no need to express interest before Metro HRA’s PBV RFP is released.

Will existing housing be prioritized in the RFP process?
When released, this information will be provided in Metro HRA’s PBV RFP. Scoring criteria and priorities are at the discretion of the program administrator.

How will owners be notified of RFP opportunities?
Metro HRA will notify partners through existing email lists and GovDelivery. The RFP will also be posted on Metro HRA’s website. To ensure you receive notification, you may email [email protected] and your contact information will be added to the list.

Can service providers or nonprofits partner to serve specific populations?
The Metro HRA has a limited number of vouchers available. If you have ideas about partnership opportunities, please email [email protected]. 

Are there priority populations for Bring It Home PBVs?
When released, this information will be provided in Metro HRA’s PBV RFP. Scoring criteria and priorities are at the discretion of the program administrator.

Can vouchers be set aside for programs like Moving Home Minnesota or Section 811?
Bring It Home is a limited resource. Metro HRA is committed to exploring partnerships that fit within the existing infrastructure and deploying these resources as efficiently as possible.

Can nonprofits apply to be program administrators? Under what conditions?
The statute identifies program administrators as either Housing Choice Voucher administrators or Tribal Nations. If neither of those entities apply for Bring It Home vouchers in their service areas, then a nonprofit could be eligible to apply.

How will tenants be informed about the Bring It Home program and its differences?
Tenants will be provided information about Bring It Home and its differences when initially selected, throughout the application process, and at the program overview briefing.

Will existing waiting lists be used for Bring It Home?
Metro HRA will operate and maintain one waiting list for Bring It Home state rental assistance and the federal voucher program.

How can tenants apply for Bring It Home vouchers?
Unless referred through an established Metro HRA partnership, applicants will be contacted through the standard waiting list selection process.

Metro HRA advertises the availability of PBVs through a request for proposals (RFP) process, following the regulations contained in 24 CFR 983.51 (b) and (c) regarding solicitation and selection of proposals.

• Metro HRA will issue an RFP prior to Minnesota Housing’s RFP process.
• Metro HRA will take no action on PBV requests until Minnesota Housing has made its funding awards. Metro HRA will require a project to secure full financing by Tuesday, Dec. 31 the following year after award.
• If Minnesota Housing does not approve the other financing requested to make the project financially feasible, Metro HRA will not consider the request for PBVs and a developer will need to reapply at a later date when PBVs are again offered.
• If a project owner or developer submits an application for PBVs as existing housing and they do not need any additional financing, Metro HRA will consider that request (also after Minnesota Housing) has made its funding awards, along with other PBV requests.

Metro HRA will prioritize PBV projects located in its own operating area prior to considering projects outside of its jurisdiction. Metro HRA’s operating area includes Anoka and Carver Counties, and suburban Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, excluding the cities of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Bloomington, Plymouth, Richfield, and St. Louis Park.

Criteria	Possible Points
Project readiness including system and regulatory conformance, financial readiness and status of funding commitments and applicant’s capacity to manage the project.	15
Extent to which the project provides or preserves housing types that contribute to a full range of affordable housing choices, the addition of or preservation of affordable units in an Area of Concentrated Poverty or improved affordable housing choice in an Area of Affluence.	20
The extent to which the project integrates housing and tenant services for specialized populations such as people experiencing homelessness, people living with disabilities, veterans or other specialized population.	25
The extent to which the project supports mixed income through providing a variety of units at different income levels.	5
The extent to which the project supports housing for larger families needing three or more bedrooms.	10
Extent to which the proposed project maximizes connections between housing, centers of employment, education, retail and recreation uses through location or design.	15
The extent of local support for the proposed housing including project teams that involve partnerships among government, private for-profit, and nonprofit sectors and the local community.	10
Total Points	100