Housing

The City of South St. Paul’s mission is to assist with the revitalization and maintenance of the City’s housing stock; provide decent, safe, and affordable housing opportunities for seniors, families, renters, and homeowners; and help promote economic development efforts in the community. This is accomplished through the use of federal, state, and local resources.

Home Improvement Loan Programs

The City of South St. Paul has put together a list of home improvement loans that are available through local organizations for South St. Paul homeowners that are looking to make improvements to their existing homes. More information about these loans can be found here.

Master Housing Strategy and Assessment

In 2019, the City Council directed City Staff to create a Master Housing Strategy and Assessment to provide an assessment of South St. Paul’s current state of housing and to provide recommendations on future housing policies and programs. The Master Housing Strategy and Assessment can be viewed here.

Senior Designated Public Housing

The City of South St. Paul manages two senior-designated, high-rise public housing buildings. Information about the John Caroll and Nan Mckay buildings as well as information about where to apply is available on the Public Housing page.

Other Resources:

As the number of adults over the age of 65 continues to increase, The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has created a resource (the link is included below), which includes practical tips and resource recommendations from geriatric health experts and advocates, such as:

  • PACE programs, which use Medicare and Medicaid to help older adults get nursing home-level care. 
  • Benefits such as the Aid and Attendance pension that help veterans offset the costs of long-term care.
  • NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp tool which helps older adults identify their potential eligibility for benefits and programs.  

National Council on Aging (NCOA): Resource for Older Adults Living Alone

First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program

Minnesota Housing’s First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program launched on May 6th, 2024. The program has funding to serve approximately 1,500 eligible borrowers on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will be available until funds are exhausted.  

The program offers loans up to $35,000 for down payment and closing cost assistance. Borrowers are required to use a Start Up first mortgage loan to access the First-Generation Homebuyer Loan. Start Up program eligibility requirements apply, including income limits, credit score requirements, and homebuyer education.

The loan is a deferred, interest-free and forgivable loan. Half of the loan is forgiven after 10 years and the rest after 20 years. To be eligible for forgiveness, the borrow must reside in the home through the forgiveness date and meet all the terms of the note. The First-Generation Homebuyer Loan balance becomes due immediately and in full when the property converts to non-owner-occupancy, or if the borrower sells or refinances the home. Borrowers may qualify as a first-generation homebuyer if one borrower and their parents or legal guardians:

  • Have never owned a home (in any country) OR
  • Owned a home but lost it due to foreclosure

Learn more about the First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program.