Overview

This program offers homeowners no-interest deferred loans for emergency improvements to homes located in the City of Saint Paul.

Qualified homeowners can receive between $5,000 and $40,000 for emergency repairs. Once funding is secured, the City of Saint Paul disburses the payments to the contractors when the project is complete.

Start your intake form

Eligibility

To help determine eligibility for the program, please submit an intake form. Please note that this is a preliminary form and all information will be verified prior to receiving any funding.

Applicants must:

Property must be a single-family unit.

Loan can be used for:

  • emergency improvements for safety, habitability, or accessibility

Please note: the minimum loan amount for this program is $5,000, so the emergency repair cost must total at least $5,000.

Emergency improvements include the most serious health & safety deficiencies, such as systems or structural failures which create an immediate danger to the home's occupants or the general public. More details can be found in Attachment C of the program guidelines.

Income Limits

The Emergency Rehab Program uses HUD income limits.

Family Size80% AMI
1 person$68,500
2 persons$78,250
3 persons$88,050
4 persons$97,800
5 persons$105,650
6 persons$113,450
7 persons$121,300
8 persons$129,100
9 persons$136,900
10 persons$144,700
11 persons$152,600
12 or more persons$160,400

Financing

  • Type: Loan
  • Minimum award: $5,000
  • Maximum award: $40,000
  • Loan terms:
    • Interest: 0%
    • Term: 15 years (loan forgiveness starts after 5 years and is forgiven at an amortized rate of 1/10th annually)
    • Repayment: Deferred until borrower sells, transfers title or no longer lives in home. Fully forgiven if terms are met and homeowner remains in the home for the full 15 year term.

Process

Emergency Rehab Process Map - Updated June 21, 2024

View the process as a PDF

1

Step 1: Interest Form

Fill out the interest form and if eligible, a rehab advisor schedules initial inspection.

2

Step 2: Application

Staff will send the application and underwrites for eligibility.

3

Step 3: Eligibility

If eligible, applicants receives 6-month conditional approval.

4

Step 4: Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk assessments are waived for Emergency Rehab on a case-by-case situation.

5

Step 5: Scope of Work

A rehab advisor builds scope of work with homeowner.

6

Step 6: Bidding Process

The homeowner selects a few contractors to bid on their project, and the rehab advisor will send out the bids to those contractors.

7

Step 7: Closing

The lowest bid wins the project and closing is scheduled. After closing and the rescission period ends, the rehab advisor submits the Proceed to Work order for the contractors to start the project.

8

Step 8: Payment Disbursements

Rehab Advisor inspects completed work and reimburses payments to the contractor. A final inspection is completed to issue the final payments to contractors.

Program Guidelines

The Saint Paul Housing and Development Authority (HRA) approved updates to the Homeowner Rehab and Emergency Loan program on December 11, 2024.

Download Full Program Guidelines

Last Edited: January 2, 2025