Rental Housing & Assistance
The Otter Tail County HRA administers rental housing assistance and scattered site affordable housing programs for income eligible households.
Finding Rental Housing
MAHUBE-OTWA maintains a list of rental housing options in Otter Tail County.
Visit HousingLink to search for rental properties listed in Otter Tail County. Listings include apartments, houses, duplexes, townhomes, and condo rentals.
Visit Disability HUB MN if you are looking for housing resources for people with disabilities.
Bring It Home Voucher Program
The Bring it Home Rental Assistance Program is a new program funded by MN Housing to provide rental assistance for low-income families across Minnesota. Eligible families may pay as little as approximately 30% of their income towards rent.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this program, applicants must:
- Be a Minnesota resident
- Have an annual income of up to 50% of the area median income, adjusted for family size (see below)
- Be a household that is paying more than 30% of the household’s income on rent or is unhoused
- Be a household that is not currently receiving federal tenant-based or project-based assistance under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended
| Persons in Household | 30% Median Income | 50% Median Income |
| 1 | $20,950 | $34,900 |
| 2 | $23,950 | $39,900 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $44,900 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $49,850 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $53,850 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $57,850 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $61,850 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $65,850 |
Priority for rental assistance must be given to:
- Households with children 18 years of age and under
- Household annual incomes of up to 30% of area median income
- Households living in Otter Tail County
Applicants
To be considered for placement on the waiting list, complete the Bring It Home application and submit it to the Otter Tail County HRA using the information at the end of this page. If your application is incomplete it will be returned to you. All applications must be signed in order to be accepted. Digital signatures will not be permitted. For your protection, applications will not be accepted by email. If you are not able to print the application, please contact our office and an application will be mailed to you.
Current participants
Current participants of the Bring It Home Program have access to a Tenant Portal to:
- Use the Secure Document Exchange to send and receive documents
- Report a change in household income
Once on the Log In page, you will click Register as a new user. Once you have logged in you will have access to the options mentioned above. If you have any questions, please contact us using the information at the end of this page. To protect your private data, please do not submit your application or documentation by email.
Request a change
To report a change, please complete and submit the appropriate change form via the portal. If you would like to add additional household members, please contact us using the information at the end of this page to schedule an appointment.
Housing Voucher Program
The purpose of Otter Tail County’s Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is to provide rental assistance to eligible low-income families.
Eligibility
Acceptance into the program is dependent upon factors such as total annual gross income and family size and is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. Household income limits are as follows:
Section 8 Income Limits
| Persons in Household | Extremely Low Income | Very Low Income |
| 1 | $20,950 | $34,900 |
| 2 | $23,950 | $39,900 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $44,900 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $49,850 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $53,850 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $57,850 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $61,850 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $65,850 |
Applicants
To be considered for placement on the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) assistance waiting list, complete the housing assistance application and submit it to the Otter Tail County HRA using the information at the end of this page. If your application is incomplete it will be returned to you.
By Online Application:
Or
Current Participants
Tenant Portal
Current participants of the Housing Choice Voucher Program have access to a Tenant Portal to:
- Sign documents electronically
- Use the Secure Document Exchange to send and receive documents
- Report a change in household income
- Request to add or remove a family member from your household
Once on the Log In page, you will click Register as a new user. Once you have logged in you will have access to the options mentioned above. If you have any questions, please contact us using the information at the end of this page. To protect your private data, please do not submit your application or documentation by email.
Request a Change
If you choose not to use the Tenant Portal and need to report a change in household income or add or remove a family member from the household, complete the change request form and submit it to the Otter Tail County HRA.
Contact the HRA
If you have any questions regarding the program, need help with any of the forms and/or application, or would like any of the documents mailed to you contact the Otter Tail County HRA using the information at the end of this page.
Landlord Portal
The Landlord Portal web tool provides additional services by the Housing Authority. Through this portal, landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program will be able to:
- View and reprint rent payments, inspection results, and 1099’s
- View currently occupied units
- View and update your contact and banking information
- Use the Secure Document Exchange to send and receive documents to and from the Housing Authority
- Sign documents electronically
Once on the Log In page, you will click Register as a new user. Once you have logged in you will have access to the options mentioned above. If you have any questions, please contact us using the information at the end of this page.
Public Housing
The Otter Tail County HRA Public Housing program includes 3 and 4-bedroom single-family and duplex units located in Pelican Rapids, Underwood, Henning, and New York Mills. Amenities include washer/dryer hookups, stove, refrigerator, garage, and a deck overlooking spacious backyards. Rent payment is based on income. Because the Otter Tail County HRA Public Housing units are 3 and 4 bedrooms, applications from households consisting of 1 person will not be accepted.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including verification of income, satisfactory landlord and utility references, and criminal background checks. Household income limits are as follows:
| Persons in Household | Gross Annual Income Limit |
| 2 | $63,800 |
| 3 | $71,800 |
| 4 | $79,750 |
| 5 | $86,150 |
| 6 | $92,550 |
| 7 | $98,900 |
| 8 | $105,300 |
Applicants
To apply, please complete the housing assistance application and submit it to the Otter Tail County HRA using the information at the end of this page. If your application is incomplete it will be returned to you.
By Online Application:
Or
Current Participants
Tenant Portal
Current residents of our Public Housing units have access to a Tenant Portal to:
- Sign documents electronically
- Use the Secure Document Exchange to send and receive documents
- Report a change in household income
- Request to add or remove a family member from your household
Once on the Log In page, you will click Register as a new user. Once you have logged in you will have access to the options mentioned above. If you have any questions, please contact us using the information at the end of this page. To protect your private data, please do not submit your application or documentation by email.
Request a Change
If you currently reside in one of our Public Housing units and have a change to report, please complete and submit the appropriate change form. If you would like to add additional household members, please contact us using the information at the end of this page.
North Fields of Dalton
The North Fields of Dalton is a senior housing development with six affordable senior rental housing units. Units are available for occupancy as of December 2024.
For more information, contact Pam Minten at 218-998-8737 or [email protected].
Property Information
One and two bedroom units are available.
Units are furnished with stove, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, dryer, 1¼ bathrooms.
All utilities are included in the rent, except electricity (heat, water heater) and internet/television.
Utilities included: Public utilities (water, sewer), trash removal, snow removal and lawn care.
| Number of Bedrooms | Rent | Security Deposit |
| 1 | $750 | $750 |
| 2 | $950 | $950 |
Eligibility
Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including income limits and at least one person being 55 years of age or older. Household income must not exceed the following:
| Persons in Household | Gross Annual Income Limit |
| 1 | $55,850 |
| 2 | $63,800 |
Applicants
To apply, please complete the senior affordable housing application and submit it to the Otter Tail County HRA using the information at the end of this page. If your application is incomplete it will be returned to you.
Contact the HRA
Otter Tail County HRA
500 West Fir Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Fax
218-998-8739
Telephone
In person
Government Service Center
Human Service Department
500 West Fir Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
A drop box is available in the parking lot of the Government Services Center.