FAQ
You have a question? We have the answer:
We’ve prepared a list of frequently asked questions and their answers to help you get more information about HRA and how we can possibly help you.
- What does the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth (HRA) do?
- Is the HRA part of HUD?
- Where does the HRA operate?
- What types of housing programs does the HRA operate?
- How will I know if the HRA is starting new programs?
- I have a Section 8 voucher and am having problems with my landlord. What can I do?
- Does the HRA assist in employment information or job training?
- How do I apply for Public Housing or Section 8?
- I am homeless. Do you have emergency housing?
- If my sink is leaking or my heat is not working, how do I get it fixed?
- Do I qualify for housing assistance?
- What is a reasonable accommodation?
- How do I submit a request for data regarding myself or some other aspect of the HRA?
Q: What does the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth (HRA) do?A: The HRA is an agency that has as its mission to assure decent, safe, clean and affordable housing to all residents of the community. The HRA owns and manages over 1,100 units of public housing, including scattered site single family homes, townhouses, and six highrise apartment buildings throughout the city. We also administer over 1,700 Section 8 Rent Subsidy Vouchers for income qualified tenants, which keeps their rent affordable. The HRA also provides housing rehabilitation grants and loans for owner-occupied or rental housing, in order to maintain the housing stock in the community. The HRA is also involved in the creation of affordable housing opportunities, community development initiatives, and neighborhood revitalization efforts in cooperation with the City of Duluth and other organizations.
Q: Is the HRA part of HUD?
A: No. Although the HRA receives much of its operating funds from HUD, the HRA is not a local branch of HUD. The HRA is governed by a 7 member board of Directors appointed by the Mayor of Duluth, with approval by the City Council. Please go to the bottom of this page and click on Links to the Federal and Minnesota HUD Offices.
A: No. Although the HRA receives much of its operating funds from HUD, the HRA is not a local branch of HUD. The HRA is governed by a 7 member board of Directors appointed by the Mayor of Duluth, with approval by the City Council. Please go to the bottom of this page and click on Links to the Federal and Minnesota HUD Offices.
Q: Where does the HRA operate?
A: Within the city limits of Duluth except for the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program, which can assist persons in a larger geographical area, including South St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties.
A: Within the city limits of Duluth except for the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program, which can assist persons in a larger geographical area, including South St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties.
Q: What types of housing programs does the HRA operate?
A:The HRA operates three primary types of programs, they are:
A:The HRA operates three primary types of programs, they are:
- Public Housing which is owned and operated by the HRA.
- Section 8 Housing which subsidizes housing owned and operated by private landlords.
- Housing Rehabilitation Programs, to assist income-qualified homeowners, and landlords who pledge to keep their units affordable.
- Please click on “Programs” at the bottom of this page for more program information.
Q: How will I know if the HRA is starting new programs?
A: The HRA will present new programs and initiatives in several ways. This website will post new programs in the “program” link at the bottom of this page as they are implemented. You can also click on “events” to access new program information. New programs must be authorized by the HRA Board of Commissioners prior to being implemented. Attending Board of Commissioner meetings can be a valuable source of HRA new program information.
A: The HRA will present new programs and initiatives in several ways. This website will post new programs in the “program” link at the bottom of this page as they are implemented. You can also click on “events” to access new program information. New programs must be authorized by the HRA Board of Commissioners prior to being implemented. Attending Board of Commissioner meetings can be a valuable source of HRA new program information.
Q: I have a Section 8 Voucher and am having problems with my landlord, what can I do?
A: You should first try to get help by talking directly to your landlord. If you can’t get the problem solved that way, call your HRA Housing Specialist.
A: You should first try to get help by talking directly to your landlord. If you can’t get the problem solved that way, call your HRA Housing Specialist.
Q: Does the HRA assist in employment information or job training?
A: The HRA does not directly provide employment information other than referrals to local employment agencies. Please click on Links at the bottom of this page for employment links.
A: The HRA does not directly provide employment information other than referrals to local employment agencies. Please click on Links at the bottom of this page for employment links.
Q: How do I apply for Public Housing or Section 8?
A: You can come to the HRA offices at 222 East Second St., Duluth, MN, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M and fill out an application. If you would like an application mailed to you, please call: 218-529-6300. Applications may also be downloaded from our home page. Please complete and sign them and then either mail, fax, or deliver them to the HRA office. They must be submitted directly to the HRA (not electronically).
A: You can come to the HRA offices at 222 East Second St., Duluth, MN, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M and fill out an application. If you would like an application mailed to you, please call: 218-529-6300. Applications may also be downloaded from our home page. Please complete and sign them and then either mail, fax, or deliver them to the HRA office. They must be submitted directly to the HRA (not electronically).
Q: I am homeless. Do you have emergency housing?
A:The HRA has no emergency housing resources. For emergency shelter please call Churches United in Ministry at the following phone numbers.
A:The HRA has no emergency housing resources. For emergency shelter please call Churches United in Ministry at the following phone numbers.
- 218-726-0153 for adults without children
- 218-720-6521 for adults with children
Q: If my sink is leaking or my heat is not working, how do I get it fixed?
A: If you live in Public Housing click on “Maintenance” for this kind of information or call 728-7540 to place a work order. If your maintenance call is an after hours emergency, please call 722-6918. If you have Section 8, you need to call your private landlord for help.
A: If you live in Public Housing click on “Maintenance” for this kind of information or call 728-7540 to place a work order. If your maintenance call is an after hours emergency, please call 722-6918. If you have Section 8, you need to call your private landlord for help.
Q: Do I qualify for housing assistance?
A:To determine your eligibility, take a look at the following chart of gross annual income based on family size. This will give you a good indication of whether you are eligible for assistance. The first column lists the income limits for the Section 8 Voucher program and the other column lists the income limits for the Public Housing Program and the Housing Rehabilitation program.
A:To determine your eligibility, take a look at the following chart of gross annual income based on family size. This will give you a good indication of whether you are eligible for assistance. The first column lists the income limits for the Section 8 Voucher program and the other column lists the income limits for the Public Housing Program and the Housing Rehabilitation program.
HUD Income Eligibility Limits (Effective 5/15/2023 and are subject to periodic change.)
| Family Size | Section 8 | Public Housing & Housing Rehab Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,650 | $50,600 |
| 2 | $36,150 | $57,800 |
| 3 | $40,650 | $65,050 |
| 4 | $45,150 | $72,250 |
| 5 | $48,800 | $78,050 |
| 6 | $52,400 | $83,850 |
| 7 | $56,000 | $89,600 |
| 8 | $59,600 | $95,400 |
Q: What is a reasonable accommodation?
A: An HRA applicant (or household member) who has a handicap or disability may ask for a REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION which would make it easier to live in public housing and to use programs and facilities. A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION may include a change to the housing unit or housing complex, or an exception to the HRA’s rules, policies or procedures. The HRA will try to make the change if it does not create an undue financial or administrative burden, or fundamentally change the nature of the program.
A: An HRA applicant (or household member) who has a handicap or disability may ask for a REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION which would make it easier to live in public housing and to use programs and facilities. A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION may include a change to the housing unit or housing complex, or an exception to the HRA’s rules, policies or procedures. The HRA will try to make the change if it does not create an undue financial or administrative burden, or fundamentally change the nature of the program.
Here are some examples of REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:
- Assigning you to a modified housing unit.
- Making changes to your housing unit.
- Installing a strobe-type flashing light alarm in your unit.
- Installing grab bars.
- Allowing seeing-eye dogs, or providing large-type documents or a reader to assist vision-impaired persons.
- Allowing a person with a disability to work with medical or other apporpriate persons to assist them in the application process.
- Providing interpreters for persons with hearing impairments.
- HRA staff working with your advocate to help you follow HRA rules and lease requirements.
You can ask for a REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION because of a handicap or disability at any time. It is your right whether or not to ask for a change or a REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION. For purposes of eligibility for low-income housing, a person may not necessarily be considered to have a disability based solely on any drug or alcohol dependence.
If you want a REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, please circle yes on the application.
Q: How do I submit a request for data regarding myself or some other aspect of the HRA?
A: Data requests regarding public data or data subjects can be submitted by filling out a ‘Data Practices Act Request Form’, located in the Agency Policies and Procedures folder of our Documents Library here.
The policies governing such requests can be found in the same folder under the documents labeled ‘Data Practices Policy for Public Requests’ and ‘Data Practices Policy for Data Subjects’
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222 E. Second Street
P.O. Box 16900
Duluth, MN 55816
Phone #: 218-529-6300
To place a call to a Minnesota Relay User, dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-627-3529.