Financial Assistance for Critical Home Repairs

We administer low-cost home improvement loans to help eligible Washington County single-family homeowners afford critical repairs and keep their homes in good shape. The programs focus on making homes safer to live in, easier to access, and more energy and water efficient. Projects like:

  • Replacing a rundown roof
  • Repairing faulty plumbing or electrical work
  • Accommodating a disability
  • Correcting building code violations
  • Replacing an exterior door to ensure safety and weather tightness
  • Removing trees that pose a safety risk to the home
AMI definition

Our Programs:

Home Improvement Loan Program
  • Serves eligible households with incomes up to 80% Area Median Income (AMI).
Repair and Renovate Program
  • Serves eligible households with incomes up to 115% AMI, including homeowners of manufactured housing.
Rehabilitation Loan Program (RLP) and Emergency and Accessibility Loan Program (ELP)
  • Through a partnership with Minnesota Housing, we administer funds to assist low-income homeowners in financing home improvements that directly affect the safety, habitability, energy efficiency, or accessibility of their homes.
Septic Repairs
  • Through a partnership with Washington County, we administer funds to help rural residents update noncompliant subsurface sewage treatment systems. See more information below.

Who Qualifies?

The eligible improvements, loan maximum amounts, applicant income requirements, and terms vary with the specific program. Some programs have restrictions on additional assets, and all require that you own the home and are current on any mortgage payments.

How Do I Apply for a Home Repair Loan?

If you’re interested in applying or would like more information, please review this information table, which outlines the various programs that are available to residents as well as the income guidelines for each program.

If you live in the cities of Forest Lake, Hugo, Lake Elmo, Oakdale, or Stillwater, you may be eligible for higher loan maximums or additional programs. Please refer to the program information table.

Button to open Program Information

 

Then complete a preapplication via this secure link. You will need to upload your most current income statements and mortgage statements to determine your eligibility for the waitlist. If you meet the eligibility requirements, your name will be added to the waiting list after your preapplication is reviewed.

Preapplication linkQuestions about home repair loan programs? Give our team a call at 651-202-2820 or email [email protected].

More Information About Septic System Financial Assistance Programs

Septic repair programIf you’re a homeowner with a failing septic system, we can help. Through a partnership with Washington County, we have loan and grant programs to help rural residents update their noncompliant subsurface sewage treatment systems. We are currently taking applications at this link.

Detailed information and application materials can be found on the Washington County Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) webpage. Or contact us at [email protected] or 651-202-2820 and let us help you with your questions about applying.

 

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