Inheritance Fund

What is the Inheritance Fund?

The Inheritance Fund is an innovative and people-centered program that offers the opportunity to rebuild wealth through homeownership in Saint Paul to low and moderate-income descendants of families who were displaced due to the construction of I-94 and urban renewal in the Western Development areas through Rondo, or the Riverview Industrial Park in the West Side Flats. 

Through the Inheritance Fund, qualifying descendants can receive between $50,000 and $110,000 in downpayment assistance to purchase a home in Saint Paul to address lost generational wealth.

The exact amount of assistance varies based on the homebuyer's income. Homebuyer households with incomes below 100% of Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible for $50,000 in Inheritance Fund downpayment assistance, and homebuyers with household incomes below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible for up to $90,000. Homebuyers who have first generation homebuyer status are eligible for an additional $10,000, or up to $100,000 total.

If a direct descendant of a property owner or tenant displaced by I-94 construction or urban renewal in the Western Redevelopment purchases a home within the boundaries of historic Rondo; or a West Side Flats descendant purchases a home within the West Side Planning District, they will receive an additional $10,000 in assistance, or up to $110,000 total. These additional funds recognize the lost community wealth being addressed with the homebuyer’s investment in the historic Rondo and West Side communities. 

Donate to the Inheritance Fund

Did you know individuals, organizations, or groups can donate to the Inheritance Fund? No amount is too small, and donations can be made anonymously if desired.

When you donate to the Inheritance Fund, the City of Saint Paul is able to provide Inheritance Fund downpayment assistance to additional households, serving more people while spending fewer public resources. At the same time, you will be contributing to the important work mitigating the more than $150 million in lost generational wealth that resulted from the construction of Interstate 94 and the demolition of 480 homes and buildings in the West Side Flats area to build the Riverview Industrial Park.

All Inheritance Fund donations will go directly to descendants of homeowners or tenants whose property was taken for the construction of Interstate 94, Western Redevelopment or the Riverview Industrial Park through downpayment assistance funds.

If you have ever wanted to be a part of mitigating the impacts of racially unjust policies and events that stripped wealth building opportunities from communities of color, this is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of a one-of-a-kind program doing just that. 

For more information or to learn how to donate, contact downpayment@stpaul.gov.