The Housing division works to ensure access to quality housing for all Saint Paul residents. The team finances housing construction and renovations, provides foreclosure prevention and counseling, supports homeless prevention and shelter services, and informs housing policy decisions.
The Families First Housing Pilot provides Saint Paul families a $300 monthly rent supplement and ongoing supportive services for three years, in partnership with the Saint Paul Public Schools.
Applications are open. To apply, contact a school representative.
English Spanish/Español Hmong/Hmoob Somali/Soomaali Karen/ကညီကျိ
Note: Landlords may find additional resources under the "Property Owners" section below
The Downpayment Assistance Program provides financial assistance for homebuyers earning at or below 80% area median income (AMI). Qualified homebuyers can receive up to $40,000 to use towards a home downpayment, closing costs and/or property inspection.
First-generation homebuyers are eligible to receive up to an additional $10,000. Homebuyers that are eligible for the Inheritance Fund layers may earn up to 100% AMI and can receive up to an additional $60,000 (for a total of $110,000).
The Saint Paul Housing Authority green-lighted updates to the program at its January 11, 2023 meeting and updated applications are expected to be available in February 2023. The City of Saint Paul will share more information when available.
The City of Saint Paul offers homeowners earning 80% AMI or less interest deferred loans for basic and emergency improvements. Qualified homeowners can receive up to $40,000 for rehab and homeowners eligible for the Inheritance Fund layers can receive up to $80,000 for rehab. All qualified residents can receive up to $40,000 for emergency repairs.
The 4(d) Affordable Housing Incentive Program offers rental property owners a 40% tax rate reduction and limited grant assistance for units that remain affordable for ten years. Property owners can invest the savings into updating and maintaining their naturally occurring affordable housing units, and low-income families are provided additional safe and stable housing options at a time when rent continues to rise across the Twin Cities. Minnesota Housing will have final approval of 4(d) tax classification for property owners who meet the City of Saint Paul's eligibility guidelines.
Applications for the 2023 program were accepted through December 30, 2022. Information on the 2024 program will be available in fall 2023.
The Rental Rehab Loan Program provides no-interest loans to landlords committed to preserving affordable rental housing. Qualified landlords can receive up to $40,000 to make health, safety, accessibility, energy-efficient and/or curb appeal upgrades to their rental properties.
Applications are open and are being accepted as long as funds are available.
The City of Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) has assigned funding for community land trusts to provide new pathways to homeownership for low- and moderate-income households and to promote long-term affordable community ownership. Financing can be used by community land trusts and other real estate developers partnering with community land trusts for property acquisition, development gap financing, long-term affordability gap financing, and closing cost assistance.
No new proposals are being accepted at this time.
The Federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 created Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for qualified residential properties to encourage the production of affordable low-income rental housing.
The City of Saint Paul provides gap financing resources such as HOME, CDBG, and other local sources for the preservation and creation of affordable housing. Developers may inquire about applications for these financing resources by contacting the Housing Director.
The Housing Trust Fund was developed by Mayor Melvin Carter to produce, preserve, and protect housing affordability for Saint Paul residents. The fund serves as a flexible financial tool used to address the current crisis of housing affordability in Saint Paul.
Fair housing is the right to choose one’s housing, without being subject to unlawful discrimination. As a recipient of Federal funds, the City has the obligation to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing, and to take “meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics”
Last Edited: February 28, 2023
Tara Beard
Housing Director
tara.beard@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Media Inquiries
Crystal King
Marketing and PR Manager
crystal.king@ci.stpaul.mn.us
General Information
Phone: 651-266-6655
City Hall Annex
25 West 4th Street, Suite 1100
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Hours
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
