The Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is seeking Letters of Interest (LOIs) from qualified nonprofit organizations interested in administering Emergency Rental Assistance using Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) funds from the State of Minnesota.

Purpose

The purpose of this funding is to provide short-term emergency rental assistance to income-eligible households experiencing housing instability.

Eligible Applicants

• Nonprofit organizations in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State that have managed emergency rental assistance funding in the last 3 years.
• Must have the capacity to manage public funds, comply with State requirements, and report on program outcomes.
• Priority will go to organizations that have been awarded previous Federal, State, or Local funding, and/or that are able to deploy funds quickly into the community.

Guidelines

State funds are restricted to households making 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) with a priority for households at or below 50% AMI. Households must be located within Bloomington.

2025 income limits by household size

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Funds for up to 3 months of late rent can be distributed per family, and up to 6 in certain extenuating circumstances. Up to 15% of awarded funds can be used for navigation and service delivery. Administrative costs are not eligible.

Final program design and funding amounts will be determined in coordination with the selected organization(s). Payments will be issued on a reimbursement basis. All backup documentation must be submitted with each payment request. Funding will be subject to oversight and monitoring.

Letter of Interest Requirements

Letters should be no more than 2 pages and include:

• Primary contact information.
• A brief description of the organization’s experience administering emergency rental assistance in the past 3 years.
• A bulleted list of Federal, State, Local, or other public funds awarded to the organization in the last 3 years and their use.
• Approximate timeline from contract execution to being able to distribute funds.
• An estimated number of households the organization would be able to serve in a 30-day period if funds were available.

Program guidelines should be attached to the Letter of Interest (e.g. required documentation, screening process, etc.).

Timeline

• LOIs Due: Sunday, February 8, 2026
• Anticipated Selection Notification: February 11, 2026
• Program Start: Upon contracting

Submission Instructions

Letters should be emailed to Sarah Abe, HRA Administrator, at seabe@bloomingtonmn.gov with the subject line: LOI – Emergency Rental Assistance ORGANIZATION NAME.

Questions

Questions regarding this call may be directed to: Sarah Abe, HRA Administrator seabe@bloomingtonmn.gov; 612-523-5662

The HRA reserves the right to request additional information, negotiate program details, and select one or more organizations based on community need and organizational capacity. Submission of a Letter of Interest does not guarantee funding.

We appreciate your interest in supporting housing stability for residents in our community.

A coalition of mayors announces the formation of Cities for Safe and Stable Communities (MN). We are a grassroots, local government-led coalition dedicated to restoring stability and trust in government. While our cities have faced challenges for some time, Operation Metro Surge has created an urgent need for a unified local voice.

As mayors, we know the names and faces in our cities. We are held accountable for the wellbeing of our schools, hospitals, and local businesses, and for upholding the rule of law for our residents. Current enforcement tactics are violating constitutional protections and actively harming the families we swore to serve.

This surge is not just a "Minneapolis issue;" the fallout is felt across the state. This operation strains city resources, disrupts local economies, and tears at community cohesion. This is unsustainable, especially in light of the economic uncertainty of the past year. From small business closures and workforce instability to housing insecurity, the damage weakens Minnesota’s entire economic engine.

The toll on our families and children has been heavy. Students as young as five years old have been detained, leaving their friends and teachers to cope and advocate for their return.

This approach undermines true public safety. The surge forces cities to absorb unsustainable costs. The costs are not just financial; we are seeing a dangerous erosion of trust between residents and local law enforcement that could take years to earn back. When residents are too afraid to call 911 or access city services, everyone is less safe. Residents should be able to interact with our cities without fear. We need a return to order that stops pulling officers away from essential needs, to focus on their true mission: protecting our neighborhoods.

Our coalition is asking federal and state elected officials for immediate de-escalation and acknowledgement of economic harms, including potential 2026 relief funds to cities. As more communities join, we will assess the damages done and determine how we restore Minnesota institutions in the wake of these unprecedented setbacks.

We believe in Minnesota’s resilience. While federal agencies must answer for this damage, we know Minnesotans are the ones who will build back. We invite leaders – from the suburbs to Greater Minnesota – to join us. Together, we can chart a path that values safety, honors constitutional rights, and restores the peace our communities deserve. A future where cities can do their jobs and Minnesotans can feel secure in their communities.

Undersigned Cities:

• Bloomington
• Brooklyn Center
• Brooklyn Park
• Columbia Heights
• Eden Prairie
• Edina
• Golden Valley
• Hopkins
• Maplewood
• Minnetonka
• Richfield
• St. Louis Park

Learn more about how the City of Bloomington is responding to the impact of current federal actions.