Welcome to the City of Saint Paul's Purchase/Rehab Refinance/Rehab Program. The programs are designed to provide one mortgage at a long term fixed interest rate. There are some extra steps not usually required in other mortgage programs.

If you have found the home for you and you have the purchase agreement OR you have made the decision to refinance/rehab your current home, click here to learn more about the Cityliving process from application to final payment to contractors.

Program Overviews

Home Purchase Mortgage Lending - Cityliving A
Home purchase mortgage programs are available to provide assistance for potential first-time and other homebuyers purchasing homes in Saint Paul. Mortgage programs have been jointly provided over the years with Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) and are jointly marketed as the CityLiving Mortgage Program. Mortgage loans are funded through the use of federal and state authority to issue Mortgage Revenue Bonds. Mortgage loans are originated by private lenders participating in the program and by PED's Home Loan Fund, which is an FHA/Fannie Mae/VA approved mortgage lender. A special emphasis by
the Home Loan Fund is the origination of purchase or refinance with rehabilitation loans.
Additionally, special assistance monies are available in the form of rehab gap financing,
affordability gap, and closing cost assistance for eligible lower income households. 
More information CityLiving A

Cityliving A Loan Application
City of Saint Paul Map
Target Area Census Tract Map


NEW!! Cityliving Special Assistance Loans for Qualifying Mortgage Program Participants
Special Assistance Loans are designed to provide qualified home buyers additional funding to afford the home they want, plus make needed improvements to keep their family safe and their home more efficient and livable. More information Special Assistance Loans

• Affordable Assistance Loan - Closing Costs and Down Payment Assistance - With a Cityliving Affordable Assistance Loan home buyers can get a second  mortgage for the lesser of $10,000 or 10% of the home purchase price to put toward the overall closing costs and down payment.

• Health, Safety and Downpayment Loan - Ensuring the health and safety of your family is critical to your decision in purchasing a new home. Cityliving offers a rehab loan for the greater of $10,000 or 6% of the home purchase price that can be used toward the costs of repairing and replacing lead-based paint that may be hazardous to your health. This loan can be used in combination with an Affordability Assistance Loan.

Home Improvement Lending Programs (Owner-Occupied Housing)
The PED administers a variety of home improvement programs on a citywide basis. Deferred payment 0% interest due-on-sale loans provide rehab advisor services for very low-income homeowners. Eligible improvements include basic and necessary improvements such as accessibility improvements, correction of lead-based paint hazards, heating, electrical and roofing. Also available are lower interest rate Fix-Up Fund loans which allow you to do more general improvements such as room additions and building a new garage. More information Home Improvement Loans


Take Credit!! First Time Home Buyer Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program
The Take Credit!! Mortgage Certificate Program is a 20% federal imcome tax credit that can be used toward the amount of taxes you owe at the end of each year you live in your home. Click here for more information.


Other Home Owner Resources

Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program
This program is administered by the Home Loan Fund Housing Counselors, who are certified HUD-approved MMFPA Foreclosure Specialists. For Saint Paul homeowners facing foreclosure, the Housing Counselors will: provide education about the foreclosure process and legal timelines; provide financial and budget counseling services under contract with a certified Budget Counselor; work with the homeowner's lender and evaluate possible foreclosure solutions; make referrals to community resources; and provide one-time loans to cure default (available on a case by case basis). Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program


Homebuyer Education and Counseling (Home Stretch Program)
Homebuyer education and counseling, known as the Home Stretch Program, is coordinated by the Minnesota Home Ownership Center and delivered by local, non-profit, community based organizations throughout Minnesota. Home Stretch is a proactive approach to educating people about the home buying process so they can avoid common mistakes and predatory lending. Home Stretch 8 hour workshops covers topics on: credit and budgeting; qualifying for a loan; special loan programs; shopping for a new home; home inspections; maintaining your home; and successful home ownership. Often lenders, including CityLiving Mortgage Program, require those seeking mortgages as a first time homebuyer to attend Home Stretch. To learn more about Home Stretch, including locations and times, please visit the Minnesota Home Ownership Center