About

Purpose

The Inspiring Communities program supports developers and homebuyers to create new, affordable homeownership opportunities and some rental units on land owned by the HRA. The Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Board originally approved the strategy on October 9, 2013 through Resolution 13-1592 following extensive analysis. See also Resolution 13-1097 and Resolution 22-1072.

Objectives

  • Leverage HRA property to build community wealth
  • Create job opportunities for local residents, including low-income residents, small and emerging businesses, and businesses owned by women and people of color
  • Inspire innovative and environmentally sound design and construction
  • Achieve goals identified in the Housing Chapter of the City of Saint Paul's 2040 Comprehensive Plan

Outcomes to Date

  • Over 280 properties have been sold or are under development.
  • The program has created over 230 affordable homeownership opportunities and over 50 new affordable rental units.
  • Nearly two out of every three homebuyers and more than three out of every four renters served are people of color.
  • Funding has come mostly from state and federal resources.
  • By returning vacant, City, and HRA-owned properties to productive use, maintenance costs to the City have been reduced and tax revenues have increased.

For Homebuyers

You may be able to purchase a home built through the Inspiring Communities program if:

  • Your household is income-eligible (see limits below) and
  • Prior to purchase, you complete homeownership counseling, coaching or education provided by an approved Homeownership Advisor. These HUD-approved Homeownership Advisors operate in Saint Paul:

Visit www.hocmn.org for assistance in contacting HUD-approved counselors and educators outside of Saint Paul.

See the list of properties in the "For Developers" section of this page to learn where new homes may be available for purchase over the next several years.

Ask City staff, whose contact information is at the bottom of this page, or a Homeownership Advisor, whose contact information is above, for details.

Homebuyer Income Limits

All homes built through the program must be sold to buyers with household income below 80% of the Twin Cities median. Some will have lower limits, set at 70% or 60% of area median. As of June 2022, these limits are:

Household Size 1 person 2 persons 3 persons 4 persons 5 persons 6 persons 7 persons 8 persons
60% AMI $49,320 $56,340 $63,360 $70,380 $76,020 $81,660 $87,300 $92,940
70% AMI $56,000 $63,950 $71,950 $79,900 $86,350 $92,750 $99,100 $105,500
80% AMI $62,600 $71,550 $80,500 $89,400 $96,600 $103,750 $110,900 $118,050

The limits above are current as of June 2022 and change every year, usually in spring or early summer. Income is determined only prior to purchase; homeowners do not need to meet any certain income limit to continue owning or living in the home.

For All Developers

Our Inspiring Communities 2022 Request for Proposals (RFP) is closed.

ADDRESS NEIGHBORHOOD LOT DIMENSIONS LOT SQUARE FOOTAGE LOT ACQUISITION PRICE MINIMUM DENSITY ENCOURAGED DENSITY
717 Desoto Street Railroad Island 50 x 53 2,650 $19,500.00 1 unit 1 unit
186 Front Avenue North End 31 x 100 3,100 $16,000.00 1 unit 1 unit
899 Sims Avenue Payne-Phalen 25 x 125 3,125 $23,000.00 1 unit 1 unit
1068 Ross Avenue Dayton's Bluff 25 x 127 3,175 $22,000.00 1 unit 1 unit
729 Burr Street Payne-Phalen 40 x 90 3,600 $26,000.00 1 unit 1 unit
930 York Avenue Payne-Phalen 30 x 125 3,750 $27,500.00 1 unit 1 unit
810 Atlantic Street Dayton's Bluff 50 x 90 4,500 $27,500.00 1 unit 2 units*
231 Front Avenue North End 45 x 100 4,500 $31,500.00 1 unit 2-3 units*
695 Cook Avenue E Payne-Phalen 40 x 120 4,800 $23,500.00 1 unit 2 units*
6 George Street W West Side 50 x 100 5,000 $52,000.00 1 unit 2 units*
1195 Bush Avenue Dayton's Bluff 40 x 127 5,080 $35,500.00 1 unit 2 units*
560 Brunson Street Railroad Island 115 x 115 13,225 $96,500.00 2 primary units 3+ units* or 2 structures

*May be multiple primary units, or one or more primary unit(s) with one or more accessory dwelling unit(s) (ADU)

About the list of properties:

  • All are vacant lots.
  • Lot dimensions and square footage are not exact.

To request updates about Inspiring Communities and other development opportunities, subscribe to our email notification list.

Geotechnical Evaluations and Surveys

Select a link below to review a geotechnical evaluation and survey for the associated property. Remediation of any issues revealed by soil tests and surveys must be accounted for in the developers’ response to the RFP, including their proposed project timeline and budget.

717 Desoto Street 1068 Ross Avenue 810 Atlantic Street 6 George Street W
186 Front Avenue 729 Burr Street 231 Front Avenue 1195 Bush Avenue
899 Sims Avenue 930 York Avenue 695 Cook Avenue E 560 Brunson Street

Documents

Future Solicitation

The HRA may offer additional properties through another RFP in 2023 or 2024. Subscribe to our email notification list to receive updates regarding future requests for proposals.

Last Edited: May 2, 2025