Update on emergency rental assistance for Minneapolis Residents
The City of Minneapolis continues to support renters and promote housing stability. Following Operation Metro Surge, the City has committed funds to emergency rental assistance. This investment will:
- Help renters at greatest risk of homelessness
- Prevent evictions before they happen
- Connect residents to these resources through community-based partners
Minneapolis residents having difficulty paying rent may be eligible for this assistance if:
- Their household earns no more than 30% of area median income
- They have received a 30-day pre-eviction filing notice from their landlord
We’re partnering with Hennepin County to distribute the money through Rent Help Hennepin and their network of community-based partners. Minneapolis households seeking this emergency rental assistance can reach out to one of these organizations to get help starting an application.
We’ve created a flyer with detailed instructions about how to access this funding. It’s available in English, Arabic, Dari, French, Hmong, Pashto, Somali and Spanish. Download the flyers.
Read more about emergency rental assistance on the City website.
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Share your feedback on the City’s draft vision and goals for 2SLGBTQIA+ equity work
We welcome, support and celebrate our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Minneapolis. Learn more about our work and the meaning of the acronym on the City website.
We are seeking feedback on a draft document of vision and goals for the City’s 2SLGBTQIA+ equity work in the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department. We compiled this draft after conversations with leaders from community organizations, City staff, community members and Minneapolis residents between fall 2025 and spring 2026.
Read the draft vision and goals document
Share your feedback
We welcome and encourage you to share feedback by May 20, 2026. We plan to release an updated draft in June 2026.
Mark your calendar for Neighborhood Day May 2
Celebrate with your neighbors at Neighborhood Day Saturday, May 2.
Neighborhood Day is an annual day set across the city to increase resident participation in local civic engagement through one of the city’s 67 recognized neighborhood organizations. It’s a chance to come together in community, find the neighborhood organization that represents you and get to know your neighbors.
Neighborhood organizations host their own events, ranging from board elections to family-friendly activities. This year, select neighborhood events will include a bike tour, bean bag tournament and duck race. No matter your neighborhood, there’s something for everyone.
Use this map to find information about your nearest Neighborhood Day events.
Your voice is important
Neighborhood organizations are the most local, smallest form of government. It’s an easy way for residents to be involved at the most grassroots level in their own neighborhood, on their own street.
Find information about your neighborhood organization.
City plans are underway for the $7 million aid package to support businesses following Operation Metro Surge
This past winter, the world witnessed small businesses in Minneapolis stepping up for our community in remarkable ways, even as they experienced significant negative impacts from Operation Metro Surge. We created the Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund to help them recover from losses, promote community gatherings and drive customers to our vital commercial districts.
The Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund provides $7 million for license fee relief, financial support for public events in commercial areas, cultural market grants and additional resources. Staff in the department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) designed the fund to get money out to businesses quickly and without too many hurdles.
Immediate relief
License fee relief: We are excited to share that over 2,000 food and hospitality businesses are already receiving license fee relief. Eligible businesses have been contacted. Business Licensing staff is processing refunds for businesses that paid for their eligible 2026 license before the fund was announced.
Fee-Free Events: This year, you can look forward to events throughout the city that bring our community together in celebration — recognizing all we’ve been through and helping to uplift and energize our small businesses. This is supported by the City covering common event permit fees for 2026 public events. Read more about which permits are covered.
If you have questions about Fee-Free Events, email the Small Business Team or call them at 612-673-2499.
Funding opportunities
Existing business support programs are getting a boost this year thanks to monies from the Resiliency Fund. These programs will provide direct and indirect support for small businesses across the city in 2026.
Cultural business weeks: Organizations can apply now to host events during Black Business Week, scheduled for July 27-Aug. 2. Applications are due by 4 p.m. April 27. A separate request for proposals will be issued later this year for Latino Business Week events.
Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP): Funding is available for organizations that can provide consulting services and training for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Both nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses may apply. Proposals from service providers are due by 4 p.m. April 27.
Cultural market grants: The Cultural Market Small Business Support program is currently accepting applications for grants to cultural mall operators for activities that benefit all tenants and customers, such as security, marketing and physical improvements to common spaces. Applications are due by 4 p.m. May 13.
Great Streets Business District Support (BDS): BDS awards money to not-for-profit organizations to enhance the vitality of existing commercial districts in Minneapolis. The application period has closed and funded applicants will be notified in the next few weeks.
Learn more about these and other funding opportunities.
More to come
And — there is more to come. Additional information for venue and music activation, as well as the creative marketing activation, will be available later this spring as the City’s Arts and Cultural Affairs department solidifies details with partners.
To receive future updates about funding opportunities, sign up for Plan. Launch. Grow., the monthly newsletter from our Small Business Team.
Learn more about the Small Business Resiliency Fund.
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