Rent, utility, and emergency housing help in Dakota County

Share Only What Is Required

Intended for: Families seeking aid

Always ask first: "What information do you actually need?" before sharing anything. Start with a first name or no name at all. Ask explicitly if a program requires immigration status before sharing any details.

Housing Rights Resources

Intended for: Families seeking aid

For families worried about immigration enforcement and housing access. For detention-specific concerns, see immigration legal support for housing-related detention concerns.

The Safe Process for Volunteers

Intended for: Volunteers helping families

1. Call 211 first
   • Ask what programs are open today, what they cover, and what they require, and stay anonymous unless a name is required.
2. Confirm requirements before sharing details
   • Verify documents, eligibility, and next steps before anyone applies or shows up.
3. Offer accompaniment if they want it
   • Ask if they want you to go with them to intake or an appointment to reduce stress and catch issues early.
4. Start with the lowest-barrier options
   • If fear is high, try CAP agencies, faith funds, or trusted nonprofits first, then move to county or state programs if needed.
5. Be cautious with online forms
   • Check how data is stored and who can access it, and if it's unclear, call and ask for phone intake or a safer option.

Volunteer Limits & Boundaries

Intended for: Volunteers helping families

Volunteers are connectors, not case managers. Share options, offer to go with them, and help reduce fear, but do not decide for the family. If a family chooses not to apply, respect that choice. If there may be legal risk, help them connect with an attorney.

CAP Agency: Housing Prevention

If Emergency Assistance is denied and a family still needs help to avoid eviction, CAP Agency offers prevention assistance. Funding is limited; call first to confirm availability.

Dakota County Housing Resource Line

For general housing resource navigation when financial assistance has been exhausted. Cannot typically provide direct financial help; primarily a referral and guidance resource.

La Viña Community Church

Food support and possibly rental assistance for families in and around Burnsville and the south metro, including Dakota County. Call first to ask whether rental assistance is currently available.

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church

May offer emergency rent help or connection to a rent support pathway for people and families in the south metro. Call first to ask whether assistance is currently available.

Indigenous Roots / MniCAN

May offer mutual aid rental assistance for people across Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro. Also connects to food security, legal funds, and wellness resources. Availability depends on current funds. Call or email to ask what is currently available.

San Pablo Lutheran Community Fund

Community fund support, sometimes used for housing stability depending on available funds. Bilingual and community-rooted access. Based in Minneapolis Phillips, and may help outside the neighborhood.

Lewis House (360 Communities)

For people fleeing domestic or sexual violence. Survivor-centered services. This is the primary shelter pathway for this situation in Dakota County.

The Link C.O.R.E. Drop-in Center

Dakota County directs youth ages 18–24 who are unsheltered or at risk of losing shelter to The Link. Call the Housing Resource Line (option #2) or contact The Link directly.

Ally Supportive Services

Coordinated Entry contact for families and adults experiencing homelessness in Dakota County. CE assesses households and connects them to housing stability resources when available.

Dakota County CDA: Weatherization

Free weatherization services for income-qualified households. Reduces long-term energy costs. Includes a free home energy audit and contractor work paid directly by CDA.

Xcel Energy

Budget billing, payment arrangements, and low-income discount programs. Under Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule (Oct 1 – Apr 30), utilities must offer payment arrangements before disconnecting.

CenterPoint Energy

Payment plans, Energy Assistance referrals, and shutoff prevention. If a shutoff notice has been received, call directly, as payment arrangements are required before disconnection under state law.

CUB Minnesota: Lights On, Homes Warm

Temporary utility bill support and shutoff navigation for Minnesotans struggling with energy bills, especially people who cannot meet their needs through Energy Assistance or utility affordability programs. CUB can talk through payment plans, shutoff protections, and the Lights On, Homes Warm fund.

Dakota County CDA

Manages Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Bring It Home Rental Assistance, Senior Housing, and Scattered Site Public Housing. Not emergency programs. Apply as early as possible.

Bring It Home (Dakota County CDA)

Targets low-income families with children under 18 at or below 50% area median income. Dakota County only. Waitlists are often long or closed. Apply early and check status regularly.

Catholic Charities · Lutheran Social Service · JFCS

Faith community emergency funds are often the lowest-barrier option: no paperwork, no documentation requirements, decisions made quickly. Worth exploring in parallel with county programs.