FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2026
Saint Paul Redirects $1.42M in Funding for Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Staffing
SAINT PAUL –The Saint Paul City Council, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office collaborated to redirect $1,426,220 towards the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. The Saint Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and City Council approved an amendment to the Planning and Economic Development (PED) department's operations budget to redirect $926,220 in unused Housing Trust Fund dollars to support staffing for the ERA program. This brings the total amount allocated to the program to $3,806,220 which is inclusive of an additional $500,000 in Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) funding allocated by the Mayor’s administrative order.
Of the $926,220 that was redirected, $152,249 will be used this year to fund two additional staff positions. The remaining balance will be set aside to ensure staffing in future years. $500,000 in additional LAHA funding will go towards direct emergency rental assistance and relief for Saint Paul residents.
The ERA program was established in 2020 to support renters in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic. The program was revived in 2025 under the leadership of HRA Chair and Ward 7 Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson and the City’s PED department. Increased HRA funding and expanded program guidelines allowed operations to resume. The updated guidelines also increased support for vulnerable households that had previously been overlooked, giving them access to critical assistance. These changes balance meeting the needs of Saint Paul residents with internal controls to ensure program funds go to our neighbors who need them.
In the wake of Operation Metro Surge, residents in Saint Paul, have faced mounting challenges and increased barriers to staying in their homes. The additional funding for ERA will boost the City’s capacity to support households seeking rental assistance by adding staff to manage the work.
Statements from the Mayor and Councilmembers:
“As the Councilmember representing the ward with Saint Paul’s highest eviction rates, I see every day how housing instability affects families on the East Side. Even before recent federal actions and economic disruption, too many neighbors were already at risk of displacement — and those pressures have only intensified. We’ve invested $2.38 million in Emergency Rental Assistance so far, and adding $1.42 million more for staffing and support is a critical investment in prevention, stability, and dignity. This is how local leaders can actively defend our communities and keep families housed,” said HRA Chair & Ward 7 Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson.
“We're pulling every lever we can at the local level to respond to the crisis Trump unnecessarily brought to Saint Paul. Our residents need support, and freeing up some money to help people stay in their homes is a no-brainer. I am happy to support and collaborate with the City Council to bring relief, and I am thankful for their partnership. Now, we need more buy-in from the state and federal government to help our communities bounce back,” said Mayor Kaohly Her
“The rent doesn’t wait and the costs of the evictions to come will far outweigh the investment we make with these funds. Our neighbors deserve our help,” said HRA Vice Chair and Ward 3 Councilmember Saura Jost.
“Housing stability is one of the clearest predictors of long-term economic mobility, educational success, and health outcomes. When families face eviction, the impacts ripple far beyond a missed rent payment — they deepen racial and economic disparities and destabilize entire communities. By strengthening our Emergency Rental Assistance program and investing in the staffing needed to move applications quickly, we are focusing on prevention, not crisis response. This action aligns our resources with our values and helps ensure that Saint Paul families — especially those most disproportionately impacted — can remain safely housed and on a path toward stability and opportunity,” said Council President Rebecca Noecker.
“The federal government's attack on Minnesota has caused economic devastation for working people, and providing the resources necessary to keep families safely housed has to be a top priority for every level of government. I'm proud that Saint Paul is making our commitment to housing stability real with this increased investment in emergency rental assistance, and I look forward to doing everything in our power to get this money out the door as quickly as possible,” said Councilmember Molly Coleman, Ward 4.
“Families in our community have been living in fear and fallen behind on rent as they stay home to protect themselves from lawless and rogue federal immigration agents doing harm across the state. That’s why increased funding for Saint Paul’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program is critical right now. This investment prevents homelessness, protects tenants and small landlords, and strengthens our community. I’m proud to support this increased funding to ensure every family has a safe and stable place to call home,” said Councilmember Nelsie Yang, Ward 6.
“Paying rent and feeling safe should never be competing needs. When the private sector fails to protect people, government must lead in partnership with community. Minnesotans have proven the strength of collective will, and I support moving these funds through trusted organizations to help the city meet this crisis head on,” said Ward 1 Councilmember Anika Bowie.
About the Saint Paul City Council:
The Saint Paul City Council is the city’s legislative body, setting policy, adopting budgets, and providing direct constituent services across the city’s wards. Learn more at https://www.stpaul.gov/department/city-council.