The rules for Bloomington's Section 8 program in 2027 are now set. On Oct. 13 the Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) held the public hearing that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires. Nobody came forward to speak, either in the Council Chambers or online. The board then voted 7-0 to close the hearing and 7-0 to approve the 2027 Housing Choice Voucher Annual and Administrative Plans.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNThe HRA opens the required hearing, gets no testimony and votes 7-0 twice: once to close the hearing and once to approve the plans.10/13
The program is federal rent assistance for very low-income households, and HUD pays for it. The city describes it as a 3-way partnership among landlords, tenants and the HRA. Before the vote, staff walked the board through a short summary of how the program works. Housing Choice Voucher is the program's current name, and most people still call it Section 8.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff open the hearing with a quick primer on what the Housing Choice Voucher program is.10/13
The yearly approval is a familiar step. The annual plan is the yearly filing.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff lay out the 5-year, annual and administrative plans the HRA has to submit to HUD.12/13
The program also makes up most of the HRA's money. In 2023, staff told the board that 63% of the budget was federal voucher money. That covers the cost of running the program, including staff time, and the payments made for participating households.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff break down the HRA budget and note that 63% of it is federal money for the voucher program.08/22
Approval doesn't move anyone up the line. The waiting list is open, and the city puts the wait at about 5 to 10 years. You apply through the HRA's online portal. The HRA emails people on the list twice a year to update their records, and you have to answer to keep your spot. Questions about the list go to [email protected]. The program's policy documents are posted on the city's voucher program page.
The approval was one item on a busy agenda. The same night, the HRA also took up Metropolitan Council Livable Communities grant applications, final agreements for the Southview Estates rehabilitation, Local Affordable Housing Aid for The Heights rehabilitation, a contract with NEOO for developer training and an update on the Bloomington 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The 2027 rules are approved.
From the meeting: Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting, October 13, 2026.
