Program Temporarily Closed

The City of Saint Paul has temporarily closed the Homeowner Rehab Loan Program, following a high level of interest. Staff are working through the program waitlist in the order received.

What is the Homeowner Rehab Loan Program? 

This Homeowner Rehab Loan Program offers Saint Paul homeowners no-interest deferred loans for basic home improvements. These include:

  • Basic and necessary improvements for health, safety, and habitability
  • Energy efficiency improvements
  • Lead-based paint hazards
  • Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical repairs
  • Roofing repairs and replacement
  • Accessibility ramps

For a full list of qualified improvements, view program guidelines.

Qualified homeowners can receive up to $40,000 to fund basic improvements. Homeowners eligible for the Inheritance Fund can receive up to $80,000. Staff contact applicants via phone and email on a first-come, first-served basis as funding allows. Once funding is secured, the City of Saint Paul will pay contractors after project completion.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must own and occupy the home in Saint Paul. Check eligibility boundaries with our interactive map.
  • The home must be their principal residence for the term of the loan.
  • Applicants must earn 80% Area Median Income (AMI) or less with an asset limit of $25,000 (excluding retirement accounts). See income requirements.
  • The property must have four units or fewer.

Financing Terms

All Homeowner Rehab loans are 0% interest with a 15-year term. Forgiveness starts after five years and is forgiven at a rate of one-tenth annually. Repayment is deferred until the borrower sells, transfers the title, or no longer lives in the home. Loans are fully forgiven if the terms are met, and the homeowner remains in the home for the full 15-year term. 

Please note there is high interest in this program.

Download Full Program Guidelines

Maximum Award Amounts

Program LayerEligibilityMax Award
Regular
  • Earn 80% AMI or less
  • Have less than $25,000 in assets (excluding retirement accounts)
$40,000
Inheritance Fund -Generational Wealth
  • Earn 80% AMI or less
  • Be a direct descendant of an owner whose property was taken to build:
    • I-94 in Rondo
    • Riverview Industial Park in the West Side Flats
$15,000
Inheritance Fund - Community Wealth
  • Earn 80% AMI or less
  • Be a direct descendant of an owner whose property was taken to build:
    • I-94 in Rondo
    • Riverview Industial Park in the West Side Flats
  • Live in historic Rondo or the West Side Flats
$25,000
 Max Available$80,000

Income Limits

The Homeowner 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

Process

1

Complete an Interest Form

Fill out an interest form when applications are open. If eligible, program staff will send you an application to complete.

2

Complete an Application

The full application will give you a list of the documents you must submit.

Please note: Staff may request other documents during the underwriting process. 

3

Receive Conditional Approval

Staff will process the full application. If eligible, you will receive a six-month conditional approval. 

4

Perform Lead Risk Assessment

If the property was built before 1978, Ramsey County will request and perform a lead risk assessment. If the county finds a hazard, you must complete remediation before using funds for anything else. The rest will go toward other improvements, health, and safety needs. 

5

Determine Project Scope

You will receive a rehab advisor, who will schedule an initial inspection of the home. The rehab advisor will review the lead risk assessment and build the project scope with you.  

The advisor advocates on your behalf. They ensure completed work complies with federal guidelines and passes city inspection.  

6

Complete Bidding Process

We can provide you with a list of licensed contractors. You may also select your own contractors, and we'll review their licenses and credentials.  

The rehab advisor will send the scope of work to your selected contractors. The lowest responsible bid is typically selected. We do not recommend specific contractors. We're not responsible for the performance of contractors.  

7

Accept Bid

You must get two bids. The lowest bid typically wins the project. You may pay the difference to work with a contractor that has a higher bid, if you prefer. 

If the bids are higher than the preapproved amount, your rehab advisor will work with you to remove work that is not a safety or habitability requirement. You may also choose to pay the difference. 

8

Pay Contractors

The rehab advisor inspects completed work and sends payments to the contractor. We must complete a final inspection before issuing final payment to the contractors. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Home Improvement Programs

During the pause of the City of Saint Paul's Homeowner Rehab program, please check out the following partner organizations that also offer home improvement programs:

Last Edited: January 15, 2025