WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded Minnesota $3,805,748 in Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Supplemental Funding provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

“As Minnesotans continue to deal with the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever to ensure that all residents have access to safe and affordable housing,” Klobuchar said. “This grant funding will help meet the needs of our state’s most vulnerable populations and ensure that families have the resources they need to get through this difficult time. I will continue working to ensure that safe and stable housing is available for Minnesota families.”

“I’ve traveled across Minnesota and seen that virtually every community has a shortage of quality, affordable housing,” Smith said. “And the economic downturn resulting from COVID-19 has only made this problem worse. I’m glad that the CARES Act provided this housing assistance to Minnesota communities because if you don’t have a safe, stable, affordable place to live, nothing else in your life works. It’s clear that housing is the foundation for healthy families and economic opportunity, and I’ll keep fighting for housing assistance for families across the state.”

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and helps low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual renter, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

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