Across its numerous voucher programs, MPHA administers nearly 7,200 Housing Choice Vouchers, benefitting more than 18,000 people across the region. One of MPHA’s special purpose vouchers, Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV), connects rental assistance with local Continuums of Care (CoCs) and other partners to target rental assistance resources to individuals and families who are homeless, at-risk of homelessness, were recently homeless, or have a high risk of housing instability.

Created and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the EHV program provides local housing authorities the flexibility to design unique, locally directed programs to best meet a local community’s needs. With these flexibilities, MPHA developed an EHV program that offers more speed and flexibility for its rent subsidy, while covering additional housing-related expenses. These additional benefits increase access and remove barriers for unhoused individuals and families facing the most immediate housing challenges. Specifically, MPHA can provide an additional $3,500 in assistance per household (from the HUD voucher funds) to help address any obstacles in both finding and moving into stable housing.

In developing MPHA’s EHV program, the agency partnered with the Hennepin County CoC to identify chronically homeless individuals, and to establish a process of engagement with those individuals referred for the vouchers. The agency works with Hennepin County’s Coordinated Entry System to administer the EHV program, equipping individuals and families coming out of homelessness with wrap-around case management services provided by the county and county-contracted providers.

To date, MPHA has successfully deployed all 246 of its HUD-allocated EHVs, helping the most high-risk individuals and families escape housing instability and homelessness. For Pamela Rodrigez and Lisa Thompson, MPHA’s EHV program was the difference between worrying every day about where they would sleep and being able to build a future for themselves.

Finding Housing Through the Library: Pamela Rodrigez
When Pamela Rodrigez lost her job as a chef in 2021—and subsequently her income—she was unable to pay her rent and was evicted. Faced with homelessness, Pamela lived out of a unit that lacked a full bathroom, kitchen, and proper security for several months. Then, Pamela learned about MPHA’s EHV program at the public library nearly four years ago.

“I am really grateful,” said Pamela Rodrigez, an Emergency Housing Voucher program participant. “The program helped me get on my feet again.”

With her voucher, Pamela was able to afford a properly equipped apartment. And with stable housing, Pamela has been able to work again and take classes to improve her cooking skills.

“When the rent is low, you can get past just existing. You can actually have a life. Lower housing costs makes life drama-free. It makes life doable,” said Pamela.

Thankful for the Stability and Peace of Mind: Lisa Thompson
Lisa Thompson* and her son had been facing homelessness for more than a year before getting connected with MPHA’s EHV program. She and her son had spent time bouncing between sleeping on couches of family members’ homes and living in a shelter.

“It was really stressful,” said Lisa Thompson, an Emergency Housing Voucher program participant. “I was working two jobs and coming back to a couch or a shelter.”

But when she got connected with Hennepin County’s Coordinated Entry and MPHA three years ago, things changed quickly. The voucher Lisa received helped her afford an apartment stabilizing her and her son’s lives. Lisa’s case manager also provided her with resources and guidance to help her regain her footing in life.

“Since I’ve had my voucher, I haven’t had to worry about being homeless with my son. I’ve been at peace. I am forever grateful for that,” said Lisa.

Lisa and her son now live in a deeply affordable two-bedroom apartment (a unit supported by an MPHA Project-Based Voucher). With the voucher providing a sense of security and alleviating the stress of housing instability, Lisa can focus on working, going back to school, and being a mother.

“I am a better mother with stable housing because I am not stress about where we are living,” said Lisa.

*At the request of the resident, their name has been changed in this story.