Saint Paul Neighborhood First Time Home Buyer Programs

There are currently no programs funded that are specific to St. Paul neighborhoods but please check out our City of St. Paul program page or the Minnesota down payment assistance page available to those buyers looking in St. Paul.

Buying your first home can be overwhelming. Let us help!  We are committed to finding you any grant monies or assistance programs available to you.  Our buyer agent services are FREE!  Please contact us for more information.  We have assisted hundreds of first time home buyers and look forward to the opportunity to assist you!

Find Out What Mortgages You Might Qualify For

CityLiving MCC Mortgage Credit Certificate (No longer accepting applications)

Offers credit of 20% of yearly mortgage interest to offset a federal tax liability (no funds for DP)

Rondo Community Land Trust - Homebuyer Initiated Program Purchase Price Write Down Grant (unavailable)

Homebuyer Initiated Program (HIP) is a homeownership program for low-to-moderate income households. Through HIP, participating households can receive two grants, for between $15,000 and $25,000 each. The grants are meant to help buyers purchase and rehabilitate a home that is available on the real estate market in Ramsey County. The grants are used to reduce the amount a household needs to purchase a home, and to ensure that the home purchased is structurally and mechanically safe and sound. The grant money is used to write down the purchase price of a house currently for sale in Ramsey County. The amount of the grant depends on the home buyer's need and eligibility.

Pohlad Funds (unavailable)

For 55106 zip code – up to $8,000, 0% deferred loan, forgiven if you live in home 7 years. This program does not require you to be a First Time Home Buyer, but if you are one you will need to take the Homestretch class.  Available for Single Family Residential, Townhomes, Condos and duplex - no income limits required.

CityLiving Special Assistance Funds (No longer accepting applications)

Receive up to $10,000 or 10% of the price of the home (lesser of) at 3% interest-with minimum of $3000. Additional money is available to rehab home if it needs repair or lead based paint repair. 

Depending on where purchasing, may not have to be a First Time Home Buyer, but you will need to take the Homestretch regardless. 

Income limit for 1 person $67,200, 2 people $68,200, and 3 people $69,200 and 4 people plus $70,200 with max income of $92,400.

Not FHA approved, so must use conventional financing.

St Paul Heroes with City Living MCC (out of funds)

Receive up to up to 15k if you are: active military, veteran, police officer, firefighter, emergency response personnel, health care workers, teachers and public employees.  Receive up to 50% required down payment for program, closing cost assistance(along with gap assistance).  This is a 10 year forgivable loan. $83,900 income limit (1-2 people) and $92,290 (3+ people), need to take Homestretch Class and be a First Time Home Buyer to qualify.

Invest Saint Paul (no longer available)

The Invest Saint Paul is a collaborative effort to strategically channel city government and private resources into revitalizing and redeveloping four key neighborhoods of St. Paul.  Those neighborhoods, which have been particularly challenged by a spate of foreclosures during the recent economic downturn, are Dayton’s Bluff, Frogtown, the Eastside, and the North End.  The goal of Invest St. Paul is to turn the tide of foreclosures and draw new residents into these areas.

Make It Possible Program (no longer available)

One aspect of the Invest Saint Paul initiative is the Make it Possible Program, or MPP.  Make it Possible is a second mortgage product provided by the Family Housing Fund (FHF). 

• $45000 max assistance, $3000 minimun, at 3% rate, amortized through 12/1/22
• Property must be in Dayton's Bluff
• Must be first time buyer

Sustainable Home Ownership Program (no longer available)

The Sustainable Home Ownership Program, also made possible through the Invest Saint Paul initiative, is a partnership between the City’s Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) and the Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services (DBNHS) working together with local lender University Bank and the Family Housing Fund (FHF). This program provides qualified purchasers the option to enter into a Contract for Deed at a rate of 7.5% amortized over a 30-year term with a balloon maturity date in three years or when the purchaser secures a fixed mortgage, whichever occurs earlier. University Bank will finance up to 80% of appraised value and the FHF will finance the remaining balance, minus the purchasers down payment.  The new SHOP pilot will help borrowers develop and maintain sound financial and home ownership practices through their first years as homeowners. This program is for homebuyers only. It is not a refinance product.