Purpose

Create and run a pilot program called Minnesota Nice HomeShare to help seniors reduce living expenses by matching seniors who own homes with spare rooms to adults in need of affordable housing in two Minnesota counties. The program is funded by a grant and overseen by a state housing agency.

Main Provisions

• Establish and administer a pilot program through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The program awards a grant to support home-sharing for seniors aged 55 and older.
• Target participants: seniors (55+) who own homes with spare rooms and adults who need affordable housing.
• Geographic scope: the counties of Lake St. Louis and Washington.
• Partnerships to promote the program: the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging and AARP Minnesota.
• Grantee responsibilities:
  • Help hosts and renters using telephone support, text chat, or video.
  • Collect and process rental payments from renters and distribute them to hosts promptly.
  • Protect the private information and data of hosts and renters.
  • Conduct background checks on both hosts and renters, including contacting at least two references for each.
  • Obtain employment verification or proof of school enrollment from renters.
  • Review and process all applications.

Funding and Appropriation

• An appropriation of $150,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to support the Minnesota Nice HomeShare pilot program.

Implementation Details

• The state housing commissioner must award a grant to implement the program, and the grantee is responsible for carrying out the various duties listed above, including safety and verification measures.

Significance and Impact

• Introduces a new, limited-time program (a pilot) aimed at expanding affordable housing options for seniors and helping reduce their living costs.
• Emphasizes safety and privacy through background checks, references, and verified income or school status.
• Uses modern communication tools (telephone, text chat, video) to facilitate hosting and renting.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Nice HomeShare pilot program - Minnesota Housing Finance Agency - hosts - renters - senior - 55 years or older - spare room - affordable housing - Lake St. Louis (county) - Washington (county) - Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging - AARP Minnesota - background checks - references - employment verification - proof of school enrollment - rental payments - payment processing - privacy and data protection - text chat function - telephone - video - grant - general fund - fiscal year 2026 - grant recipient / grantee - application processing