Housing Authority
Live Where You Work Home Ownership Program
By participating in the “Live Where You Work”, St. Louis Park employees have an opportunity to attain the “American Dream” of owning a home. The “Live Where You Work “ homeownership assistance program provides eligible employees of St. Louis Park businesses with a $2,500 forgivable, deferred loan towards the purchase of a home within St. Louis Park. Employers are invited to contribute a matching or lesser amount to the City’s contribution.
The employee must obtain a first mortgage through a participating lender. The grant can be used to help finance a down payment, closing costs and gap financing. Current participating lenders include Associated Bank, Bremer Bank, Citizens Independent Bank, US Bank and Wells Fargo Bank. The loan is forgiven after three years provided the buyer continues to meet program eligibility criteria.
The program not only offers an employee an opportunity to live near their workplace, but it also provides an opportunity for the buyer, the City and businesses to collaborate to enhance relationships in the community, make homeownership more affordable and revitalize neighborhoods and schools . Homebuyers will also benefit from reduced commute times and travel expenses.
Additionally, the city would also like to provide an incentive to get foreclosed vacant properties occupied by home owners. Consequently, qualified buyers purchasing foreclosed properties in St. Louis Park are eligible for an additional $1,000 grant from the city, in recognition that these homes may have additional maintenance needs.
For further details about this program and eligibility requirements, contact the City of St. Louis Park’s Housing Supervisor, Michele Schnitker, at (952) 924-2571 or mschnitker@stlouispark.org. For a copy of the Live Where You Work brochure, please click here Brochure.If you are interested in applying for a forgivable loan call the Center for Energy & Environment (CEE) at 612-335-5891.
Waiting List General Information
The St. Louis Park Housing Authority is currently ONLY accepting pre-applications for wheelchair accessible one and three-bedroom units. You or a family member must have a mobility-related disability requiring a barrier free, wheelchair accessible unit in order to qualify for this waiting list. Public Housing income eligibility also applies. All other waiting lists – Public Housing (all bedroom sizes), Hamilton House, and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers – are CLOSED.
To Obtain a Pre-Application
Pre-applications for wheelchair accessible units can be obtained in person during regular business hours or by mail. The Housing Authority office is located at 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN 55416. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To receive a pre-application by mail, call 952-924-2579 to leave your name and address. Please follow the prompt and speak clearly. A pre-application will be mailed to you within five business days.
When You Receive Your Pre-Application
Answer all questions completely on both sides of the pre-application. You and all household members age 18 or older must sign the pre-application. Mail or bring the pre-application to the Housing Authority at the above address. We do not accept pre-applications by FAX.
A letter will be sent to you within one month after you submit your pre-application and the information is entered onto the waiting list. This letter will state your placement on the waiting list and approximate wait time. Wait time is determined by the date and time your pre-application is received, the number of bedrooms your family needs, and your eligibility for local admission preferences.
Once you receive this letter, information about your status on the waiting list can only be obtained upon submission of a written request. Any changes in your address and/or family size during the waiting period must be reported in writing to the above address.
All applicants for the Public Housing Program must complete a thorough screening process, including housing history, credit and criminal background checks.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Authority administers approximately 300 Section 8 rental assistance Vouchers, most of them "tenant based". The rent assistance program provides federal rent subsidies for low-income individuals and families in privately owned, existing market rate housing units. The HA pays the rent subsidy directly to the owner of the rental property with funds provided by HUD.
A participant in the Voucher Program pays between 30% and 40% of their annual income for rent and utilities. The Voucher Program uses a Payment Standard (benchmarked to the Fair Market Rents published by HUD) that reflects the cost of housing and utilities for the City of St. Louis Park, and is used to determine the maximum subsidy that the family can receive. Generally, the subsidy paid to the owner by the HA is the Payment Standard minus 30% of the family’s monthly income. Any type of private rental housing is eligible and the unit must meet the federal Housing Quality Standards (HQS) to qualify.
The Section 8 waiting list is currently closed – the HA is not accepting new applications.
Payment Standards and Utility Allowance Schedule 
Hamilton House Public Housing
Hamilton House is a 110-unit, public housing apartment building located at 2400 Nevada Avenue South. Hamilton House is conveniently nestled between quiet suburban streets and plentiful nearby shopping. The four-story building has one-bedroom apartments designated for low-to-moderate income persons. These bright apartments have a full kitchen, full bathroom, large walk-in storage closet/pantry and French balconies.
Residents enjoy a sense of community in the welcoming common areas that provide abundant opportunities for socializing. Some of the many amenities include two elevators, on-site laundry facilities, large community sun decks, recreation room, computer lab, and beautifully landscaped grounds which border on a city park. A small on-site beauty salon and barbershop offers convenient, low cost services by appointment as well.
The building offers fully independent living with the option to participate in social activities planned by the Hamilton House Resident Association and the Housing Authority. A full-time service coordinator provides supportive services to the residents of Hamilton House including help with healthy living, budgeting skills, supported education, and social activities.
Applicants must meet eligibility requirements prior to becoming a resident of the building. This includes meeting Public Housing program income guidelines, providing good landlord references, passing a criminal history check and reviewing your credit history. At least one household member must also be lawfully in the United States.
Hamilton House offers an affordable, easy lifestyle enabling residents to pay approximately 30% of their adjusted annual income for rent. Heat, basic electricity, water, sewer, and trash are also included in the rent. Reserved surface parking is also available on a first come first served basis.
There is a waiting list for Hamilton House with an estimated wait of one to three years. The Housing Authority does not accept applications unless its waiting list is open. Currently there are no open waiting lists, with the exception of the one and three-bedroom Wheelchair Accessible waiting lists. In order to qualify for this waiting list, you or a member of your family must have a mobility related disability that requires an accessible unit. If you are interested in a wheel chair accessible unit application, call (952) 924-2579.
For more information on St. Louis Park Housing Authority Hamilton House Public Housing and income eligibility, please contact the St. Louis Park Housing Authority at (952) 924-2579.
Family Public Housing
The family Public Housing program provides rental assistance to qualified families who live in scattered-site, single family homes located in St. Louis Park owned and managed by the Housing Authority, or in two-bedroom apartments located at Louisiana Court. Participants pay approximately 30% of their adjusted annual income for rent, including the cost of tenant paid utilities.
Residents of the single family homes are required to properly maintain the house, including lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and general day-to-day upkeep of the property. Major repairs are handled by the Housing Authority.
In addition to income eligibility, residents must be qualified for tenancy based on a thorough rental screening process. Past rental history is examined, and a criminal history check is performed. Lease and program regulation compliance is required of all residents in order to achieve safe and considerate living within the neighborhood.
Family Public Housing usually has long waiting lists. The Housing Authority does not accept applications for family Public Housing unless its waiting lists are open. Currently there are no open waiting lists, with the exception of the one and three-bedroom Wheelchair Accessible waiting lists. In order to qualify for this waiting list, you or a member of your family must have a mobility related disability that requires an accessible unit. If you are interested in an application for a wheel chair accessible unit, call (952) 924-2579.
For more information on the St. Louis Park Housing Authority family Public Housing program and income eligibility, please contact the St. Louis Park Housing Authority at (952) 924-2579.
Low Rent Public Housing Program
The HA owns and manages 147 dwelling units throughout the city of St. Louis Park. 110 units are located in a low-rise apartment building (108 one-bedroom units and 2 two-bedroom caretaker units) and 37 are scattered site, single-family units (3 to 5 bedrooms). Although the low-rise building is designated for general occupancy, a priority is provided for elderly and disabled admissions. The single-family scattered units house families with children. The HA also maintains a waiting list for 12 two bedroom public housing apartment units located at Louisiana Court. These units are owned and managed by Project for Pride in Living.
Public Housing provides a clean, safe and affordable living environment for eligible low, very low and extremely low-income individuals and families. Public Housing families pay 30% of their adjusted income for rent and utilities.
Background
The City of St. Louis Park Housing Authority has been an independent governmental entity since its initial creation by the City Council in 1970. The Authority is governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Commissioners serve five-year terms, with one Commissioner representing assisted housing program participants. Housing Authority Board meetings are held monthly, the second Wednesday of the month at 5:00 p.m., at St. Louis Park City Hall, Westwood Room. Current Commissioners are Catherine Courtney, Steve Fillbrandt, Renee Fitzgerald, and Trinicia Hill.
The Housing Authority administers programs that ensure the availability of safe and desirable housing options in the St. Louis Park community. These programs include the Public Housing program, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program, Shelter Plus Care rental assistance program, and TRAILS family self-sufficiency program. The Authority currently serves over 500 eligible, low-income households through their housing programs.
The St. Louis Park Housing Authority also oversees administration of home improvement loans to assist homeowners with renovations, redevelopment of blighted or vacant properties, and partners with developers to meet affordable housing needs.
Mission
The Housing Authority develops, integrates and operates housing and housing assistance policies and programs to ensure the availability of safe, affordable and desirable housing options that meet the diverse, lifecycle housing needs of all of the residents of St. Louis Park.
Contact Information
St. Louis Park Housing Authority
St. Louis Park City Hall
5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, 2nd Floor
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Main Number: (952) 924-2579
Information Line: (952) 924-2514
FAX Number: (952) 924-2663