Disability Hub MN: Housing

If you rent, you have choice and flexibility in where you live. You might also have help maintaining your home. You'll sign a lease and pay rent to the owner or landlord. You'll work with the owner or landlord to address any issues.

Market rate
If you're looking for a place to rent and don't need help paying for where you live, you'll have many options. You can talk to family, friends and neighbors to find out if they know of any places for rent, or you can search online. To get started, check out Housing Link and Housing Benefits 101.

Affordable housing
If you need help paying for where you live, you can apply for programs to make housing more affordable. Check out this helpful chart on ways to pay for rent or housing (PDF). You can also use affordable housing search tools to get started.

Tenant rights
As a renter, you have rights. Knowing how to advocate for yourself is an important part of living where you choose. Check HOME Line for housing resources, free and low-cost legal and advocacy services for tenants, and more.

Buying your own home can be a great adventure! Though owning a home is a big responsibility, it's also sometimes cheaper than renting. To determine if buying is right for you, consider the total cost and your ability to maintain the home. Learn more about owning a home from Housing Benefits 101.

Homebuyer education
Before you jump in and purchase a home, educate yourself on your options — plus any information that may have changed, if you've bought other homes in the past. Check out Minnesota Housing Homebuyer Education and Resources and the Minnesota Home Ownership Center.

Down payment
Down payment and closing cost loans are available to eligible homeowners through Minnesota Housing.

Contact a lender
If you want to know how much money you can borrow to buy a home, use the find a lender directory to connect with a lender and start the qualification process. If you're working with a realtor, they may also have suggestions about lenders.

Sharing your home with a roommate can help reduce costs. You can also share responsibilities and build relationships. If you'd like to find a roommate, start your search by asking for recommendations from people you trust. Also use the tools on Housing Benefits 101, or HB101:

• The living with someone activity, which is part of the HB101 Vault, helps you work through questions about having a roommate.
• The HB101 page on living with other people helps you consider reasons to have a roommate, and reasons to live alone.

Life sharing might be another option. Life sharing is a relationship-based living arrangement that matches an adult who has a disability with a person or family who will share their life and experiences. Matches are based on things like shared preferences, interests and personality styles. Use this resource guide to learn about life sharing. 

If you're looking for a supervised housing situation, check the programs page on Housing Benefits 101. You'll see a list of options under the heading housing that includes services, including adult foster care, assisted living and group homes. If you choose to live in housing that includes services, know your rights (PDF) as a resident.

It's important that your housing meets your needs, so you're safe and can live where you want. Sometimes this means adapting your home to meet your needs. If you rent, you'll need approval from the owner or landlord to make modifications to your home. If you own, you can check into programs to help you pay for modifications.

For example, Minnesota Housing offers:

• Fix Up Loan Program. This program helps homeowners make repairs, remodel and make energy saving improvements.
• Rehabilitation Loan/Emergency and Accessibility Loan Programs. These programs help low income homeowners make home improvements for safety or accessibility.
• Disaster Recovery Loan Program. This loan is a last resort if your home is damaged due to a flood, tornado or other disaster and private insurance and federal help aren't enough to repair the damage.

If you're on a disability waiver, you may be eligible for a home modification service called environmental accessibility adaptations. Contact your case manager to learn more.

If you need help paying your rent or utilities, check out this chart on ways to pay for rent or housing (PDF). You'll get a list of programs and the basics on who qualifies and how to apply.

If you own your home and struggle to pay your mortgage, you may be at risk of foreclosure. Check Minnesota Housing for information on foreclosure prevention — including how to get free help from a foreclosure counselor.

Maintaining your home is important for your health and safety, and sometimes you might need help.

• Consider hiring someone to clean your home or do outside maintenance, such as mowing the lawn or removing snow. Ask family, friends and neighbors for recommendations.
• If you're on a disability waiver, you might qualify for chore services. Ask your case manager for details.
• You can also check into independent chore assistance providers throughout the state. Contact us for help finding these resources.

Having what you need to care for your home, furnish your home and feel comfortable in your home is an important part of loving where you live. Contact us for help finding independent providers throughout the state. 

You might also search for online garage sale sites or try any of these resources: 

• Facebook Marketplace. Here, find items for sale or swap.
• Bridging. Bridging provides donated furniture and household goods to families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores. These home improvement stores sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home goods, building materials and more.
• Salvation Army Thrift Stores. These stores sell donated furniture, household goods, appliances, clothing and more.