Last Updated
23 hours ago
About Metropolitan Council
The Metropolitan Council is a housing authority located in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota (PHA Code: MN163). This authority manages approximately 7,129 assisted housing units, which include 7,129 Section 8 housing choice vouchers.
Currently, the Metropolitan Council has an open waitlist for its Public Housing program. The waitlists for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs are presently closed to new applications.
To be eligible, applicants must meet specific income criteria. For a family of four in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HUD Metro FMR Area, the Very Low Income limit is $66,200 per year. Program statuses can change, so applicants should verify the current status when applying.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jul 21, 2025
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The St. Paul Public Housing Agency began accepting online applications for Multifamily Housing apartments with 0-5 bedrooms on July 21, 2025, at 8:00 AM, and will continue until further notice. Applications are online only; no in-person or phone assistance is provided.
Other Programs
2 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
A lottery will be conducted on May 1, 2025, to join the waitlist. Not everyone who enters the lottery will be selected. Estimated wait time for a voucher is one to five years.
Metro HRA last issued an RFP for Mainstream and Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing PBVs in 2023. RFPs for Bring It Home PBVs are expected in Q1 or Q2 of 2026. There is no guarantee PBVs will be offered or awarded each year.
Status History
Deadline: Apr 16, 2025
Deadline: Apr 16, 2025
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Metropolitan Council portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Metropolitan Council
Check Current Status
Metropolitan Council currently has 1 open waiting list (Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Metropolitan Council, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $66,200/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Metropolitan Council portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Metropolitan Council, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Metropolitan Council manages approximately 7,129 assisted housing units (7,129 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Saint Paul. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Metropolitan Council
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Metropolitan Council are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Metropolitan Council provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Saint Paul. This program serves approximately 7,129 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Metropolitan Council are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Saint Paul. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Metropolitan Council free?
How long is the wait at Metropolitan Council?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Metropolitan Council?
What are the income limits for Metropolitan Council?
Metropolitan Council Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Metropolitan Council are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $66,200. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $27,800 | $46,350 | $72,950 |
| 2 Persons | $31,800 | $53,000 | $83,400 |
| 3 Persons | $35,750 | $59,600 | $93,800 |
| 4 Persons | $39,700 | $66,200 | $104,200 |
| 5 Persons | $42,900 | $71,500 | $112,550 |
| 6 Persons | $46,100 | $76,800 | $120,900 |
| 7 Persons | $49,250 | $82,100 | $129,250 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $87,400 | $137,550 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Metropolitan Council — including across state lines.