Cost Assistance Programs
Find cost assistance programs to help lower your upfront costs and make buying a home more affordable.
Getting Started
Explore Assistance Options
- Browse our list of down payment assistance programs. Click on any program to learn more and see how it can help you.
Connect with an Expert
- Connect with the nonprofit organization managing the program for personalized support.
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Offers low-interest loans and deferred repayment options across the entire state.
First-Generation Homebuyer Loan
Up to $35,000! Deferred, forgivable loan. Borrower must meet all terms of the note to be eligible for loan forgiveness
View DetailsStart-up: Deferred Payment Loan
Up to $16,500! No interest, no monthly payments. Balloon payment due in full at the end of the mortgage term.
View DetailsStart Up: Deferred Payment Loan Plus
Up to 18,000! No interest, no monthly payments. Balloon payment due in full at the end of the mortgage term
View DetailsStart up: Monthly Payment Loan
Up to 18,000! 10 year repayment term and interest equal to your first mortgage rate. Only first time-homebuyers
View DetailsStep Up: Monthly Payment Loan
10 year repayment term and interest equal to your first mortgage rate. Repeat borrowers, and first-time homebuyers not eligible for Start Up
View DetailsFirst Generation Homebuyers Community Down Payment Assistance
The First-Generation Homebuyers Community Down Payment Assistance Fund provides buyers with 10% of a home’s purchase price, up to $32,000. The loan is forgivable after five years as long as the buyer lives in the home as their primary residence.
Neighborworks
Offers city, county, and neighborhood cost assistance programs to help make homeownership more affordable.
MMCDC First-Generation Down Payment Assistance
Up to $32,000! Deferred, forgivable loan over five years (20% forgiven each year). Borrower must meet all terms of the note to be eligible for loan forgiveness
View detailsCommunity Keys Plus
Currently No Funds Available! If you are buying a home in Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, or Anoka County, you may qualify for up to $10,000!
View DetailsMinneapolis Homes: Access Down Payment Assistance
If you are buying a home in Minneapolis, you may qualify for up to $20,000
View DetailsShoreview First-time Homeowners Down Payment Assistance
If you are buying a home in Shoreview, you may qualify for up to $30,000
View DetailsCenter for Energy and Environment
Offers cost assistance assistance through programs available at the city, county, and neighborhood levels.
City of Blaine
Loan amounts up to $10,000 for current Blaine residents or employees and up to $5,000 for all others.
View DetailsCity of Brooklyn Center
If you are buying a home in Brooklyn Center, you may qualify for up to $10,000, not to exceed 10% of the purchase price.
View DetailsCity of Coon Rapids
If you are buying a home in Brooklyn Center, you may qualify for up to $5,000!
View DetailsCity of Minnetonka
If you are buying a home in Minnetonka, you may qualify for up to $50,000, not to exceed 10% of the purchase price.
View DetailsCity of Roseville
If you are buying a home in Roseville, you may qualify for up to $25,000
View DetailsCity of St. Louis Park
If you are buying a home in St. Louis Park, you may qualify for up to $15,000 (not to exceed 5% of the purchase price). An additional $5,000 may be eligible for homebuyers working in St. Louis Park
View DetailsCity-Specific Down Payment Assistance
The City of Minneapolis offers multiple Down Payment Assistance Programs based on the neighborhood.
East Phillips Neighborhood
The East Phillips Improvement Coalition (EPIC) providing loans up to $10,000 to purchase in the East Phillips Neighborhood. The loan is 100% forgiven if you own and occupy the property for 15 years
View DetailsHawthorne Neighborhood
The Hawthorne Neighborhood Association has designated City of Minneapolis NRP dollars for loans up to $7,500 to purchase in the Hawthorne Neighborhood. The loan is 100% forgiven if you own and occupy the property for 10 years.
View DetailsSoutheast Como Neighborhood
The SECIA Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) has designated dollars for loans up to $5,000 to purchase in the Southeast Como neighborhood. The loan is 100% forgiven if you own and occupy the property for 15 years.
View DetailsTwin Cities Habitat for Humanity
The Advancing Black Homeownership Program is designed for applicants who self-identify as Foundational Black Americans—Black or African American Minnesotans who are descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States. Participants are provided up to $50,000 and can purchase a home in the seven-county metro area, including Ramsey, Hennepin, Dakota, and Scott county, among others
View DetailsCohort Coaching
Culturally relevant peer-to-peer coaching and community connections, a specialized curriculum that includes healing from financial trauma and developing financial resilience, and referrals for credit/debt consolidation
Flexible Underwriting
More flexible underwriting criteria to increase access to the mortgage product, including alternative credit requirements and a more flexible approach to student loan debt.
Added Financial Assistance
You can use toward the savings requirement and/or as down payment assistance for additional purchasing power.
Community Land Trust (CLT)
Community Land Trusts (CLTs) provide an alternative to traditional homeownership. Below you’ll find key features explaining how CLTs work
Lower Purchase Costs
Buyers purchase the house while the CLT holds the land in trust, reducing the overall cost of buying a home
Long-term Land Lease
Homeowners lease the land for 99 years, ensuring long-term stability while maintaining access to the property
Resale Agreement
Homeowners agree to limit their resale profits, helping to ensure that future buyers can also purchase the home at a reasonable price
Shared Equity
When selling, homeowners receive a portion of the home’s appreciation, while the trust retains control of the land for future homeowner
Land Trust Providers
Rondo CLT
Rondo Community Land Trust provides housing alternatives for those looking to buy in Rondo, St. Paul, and Ramsey County
View DetailsTwo Rivers CLT
Two Rivers CLT offers affordable housing options in Washington County, focusing on sustainable homeownership and long-term affordability
View DetailsCity of Lakes CLT
City of Lakes Community Land Trust helps Minneapolis residents achieve homeownership while ensuring homes remain affordable for the next buyer
View DetailsDown Payment Assistance Guide
A guide for accessing down payment assistance programs and the different types
When it comes to down payment assistance, there are a few key types you should know:
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Deferred Loans: These loans let you delay payments until a specific event, like selling or refinancing your home. No monthly payments are required until then, making it easier to afford your home upfront.
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Low-Interest Loans: These loans help cover your down payment with a lower interest rate than standard loans, reducing the cost of borrowing and making homeownership more affordable.
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Grants: Unlike loans, grants are financial gifts that don’t need to be repaid. They’re typically offered by government programs or nonprofits to help with down payments or closing costs.
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Forgivable Loans: These loans start as a standard loan but can be forgiven after you meet certain conditions, like living in the home for a set number of years. If the conditions are met, you won’t have to repay the loan.
Let a HUD-Approved Counselor Guide Your Way
Working with a HUD-approved housing counselor can help you navigate these programs. They provide personalized advice, help you understand which option is best for your situation, and guide you through the application process, making the path to homeownership clearer and more manageable.
Find Housing CounselorsLoan Officers
Now that you know what cost assistance programs are available, it’s time to connect with the experts who can help you get started. Find the right loan officer to guide you into the programs and take the next step toward owning your home
Find Loan OfficersDisclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or professional advice. Program availability and eligibility may vary, and it is the user’s responsibility to verify details with program providers. Home Partner Hub is not affiliated with any listed programs and cannot guarantee approval or participation. While we strive to keep the information accurate and up to date, we do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the content.