Application request

The Community Planning and Economic Department (CPED) provides flexible, affordable financing options for owner occupied properties, using a variety of sources including Minnesota Housing home improvement programs. CPED also offers grant incentives for energy efficiency, lead, and code repairs.

Complete the form to have your home improvement needs evaluated

Program overview

Applicants are first screened for basic program eligibility and must have owned and occupied their property as their principal place of residence for at least 6 months prior to applying and be current on their mortgage and property tax payments. Other credit requirements may apply, see application above for more detail.

Program highlights include:

• Partnerships with grant and volunteer-based no cost programs
• Secured and unsecured loans ranging from $2,000 to $75,000
• Loan options with or without monthly payments
• Grants to address lead-based paint risks

Home Improvement Program options require combined household income be at or below 80% of the area median income as adjusted for household size.

Eligible improvements

Emergency repairs

Emergency repair programs provide funding for when no other financing options are available.

Eligible improvements include, but not limited to, repairs to a property that was damaged because of events beyond the Borrower’s control or involved by a system/structural failure such as:

• Failure of the heating, electrical, ventilation, or plumbing/septic system;
• Roof leaks that have led to significant secondary damage to the home’s interior;
• Electrical damage that would cause a potential fire hazard;
• A structural failure of the foundation, walls, or roof of the home that could cause collapse; an Environmental Intervention Blood Lead Level (EIBLL) of a household resident; or
• An accessibility need that prevents a Disabled Household Resident from inhabiting the home.
• Other emergency conditions that could cause the home to be or become uninhabitable will be considered by City staff on a case-by-case basis.

Health and safety repairs

Home improvements that directly affect the home’s safety, habitability or energy efficiency by addressing health and safety repairs, housing code violations, radon and lead remediation.

General repair and remodeling

Eligible improvements are permanent in nature and improves the basic livability or energy efficiency of the property. These include energy conservation, accessibility, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, windows, interior & exterior remodeling.

Home improvement factors to consider

When searching for financing products, a combination of your financial profile and the nature of the repair/improvement being requested will determine what options you are eligible for.

Household size and income

Some products require income information from ALL household members over the age of 18. Others require income information from only the property owners. The income limit may be adjusted for household size or may be an amount not to exceed regardless of household size.

Credit history

Timeliness of monthly payments, judgments, liens, collections, credit score, number of recent inquiries may impact your ability to qualify for financing. Some products may require only that you are current on your mortgage and property taxes.

Project scope

In addition to financing programs for general remodeling, some programs are specifically targeted to certain types of improvements or purpose. Some programs address exterior only, emergency repairs, or health and safety repairs.

Construction contracts and down payments

Most City financing products require a review of bids and contractor licenses. Signing a contract prior to financial closing can put you at risk for directly paying the contract.

Ability to repay the loan

Borrower’s monthly debt in relation to their monthly income and total loans secured by a mortgage against the home compared to the home’s value may apply. Some programs have no such requirement.

Lending partners

If you have immediate home improvement needs, contact one of the following lending partners: 

• Center for Energy and Environment 
• Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County
• Habitat for Humanity/ Brush with Kindness
• Hearts & Hammers
• City of Minneapolis Healthy Homes 
• Green Cost Share
• NeighborWorks Home Partners 
• Rebuilding Together 
• Sustainable Resource Center