North Mankato Section 8 Calculator — Blue Earth County and Nicollet County Income Limits & Rent Estimate

Housing Authority Serving North Mankato

• Agency: Mankato/North Mankato Area Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)
• Jurisdiction: City of Mankato, City of North Mankato, and portions of Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties
• Waiting list status: Opens periodically — monitor mankato-mn.gov
• Application portal: mankato-mn.gov HRA page
• Main office: 10 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN 56001
• Phone: (507) 387-8600

The Mankato/North Mankato Area HRA is a joint authority serving both cities and their surrounding communities. As the sole housing voucher administrator for the region, the HRA handles everything from initial application intake to voucher issuance, landlord inspections under HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS), and annual recertifications. Its relatively smaller portfolio compared to Twin Cities agencies means demand can exceed supply quickly whenever the waiting list opens.

North Mankato residents benefit from the HRA’s knowledge of the local rental market — including neighborhoods along the Minnesota River corridor — and its connections to nearby supportive housing services through Greater Mankato nonprofits.

Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Blue Earth County

HUD calculates income limits for the Mankato–North Mankato, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses Blue Earth County (where Mankato is located) and Nicollet County (home to North Mankato). Both counties share the same AMI benchmark and therefore the same Section 8 income limit tables.

For 2026, HUD’s Fair Market Rents for the Mankato area reflect a mid-sized regional market. Typical FMRs for the Mankato MSA run below those of the Twin Cities, making the area somewhat more affordable but also creating fewer landlord incentive programs. Voucher holders pay approximately 30% of monthly adjusted gross income toward rent, with the HRA covering the balance up to the local payment standard.

Income eligibility tiers — Extremely Low (30% AMI), Very Low (50% AMI), and Low Income (80% AMI) — determine priority in the waiting list. Extremely Low Income households receive priority access to 75% of newly issued vouchers per federal mandate.

Run your North Mankato rent estimate →

How to Apply for Section 8 in North Mankato

1. Confirm the waiting list is open by visiting the HRA’s official website or calling (507) 387-8600 — applications are only accepted during open enrollment periods.
2. Gather documentation before you apply: government-issued ID for all household members, Social Security cards, most recent tax returns or pay stubs, and documentation of any other income sources (child support, benefits, etc.).
3. Complete the application online or in person at 10 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato. Provide accurate household composition and income information — discrepancies can delay or disqualify your application.
4. Note any qualifying preferences such as veteran status, disability, or current homelessness, which the HRA may use to prioritize your placement on the waiting list.
5. Await your interview notification — once your name approaches the top of the list, the HRA will contact you to schedule an eligibility interview and income verification appointment.

Waiting List Tips for North Mankato

• Apply the day the list opens — smaller-market PHAs like the Mankato HRA can close their lists within days or even hours of opening.
• Keep your contact information current — call or write to the HRA whenever your address, phone number, or email changes to avoid being removed from the list.
• Explore Greater Mankato Growth and local nonprofits such as Kato Share or Theresa House, which offer transitional and affordable housing with shorter waits.
• Check Blue Earth and Nicollet County social services — both counties coordinate with the HRA and may have additional rental assistance programs, including emergency rental assistance funds.