DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
Update On Community Needs For Rental Assistance In Dakota County
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Provide an update on community needs for rental assistance in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
Dakota County is home to 44,572 renter households (25% of total households in the county). Of these households, over half are cost burdened or severely cost burdened. Renter households who are cost burdened may not be able to withstand an emergency that disrupts income, such as illness, job loss, loss of childcare, etc.
To ensure that people who face a rental emergency do not lose their housing, Dakota County has several emergency rental assistance programs: Emergency Assistance (EA), Emergency General Assistance (EGA), Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) and Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA).
Since the beginning of Operation Metro Surge, there is some evidence of higher levels of need for rental assistance due to people sheltering in place or being detained.
This presentation will provide an overview of the Dakota County emergency rental assistance system, need data in the first two months of 2026, and ways that Dakota County staff are monitoring need and resources to serve Dakota County residents.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Emily Schug
Author: Madeline Kastler