Last updated: July 27, 2026
If the home is dangerous now: Leave the area and call 911, the fire department, or the utility if you smell gas, see sparks, hear a carbon monoxide alarm, have sewage entering the home, or think a ceiling, wall, floor, or porch may collapse. Repair programs usually require an application and inspection; they are not emergency responders.
Bottom line: Minnesota has real home repair help, but most assistance is not a simple statewide cash grant. The strongest paths are Minnesota Housing forgivable and low-interest loans, free Weatherization services, city or county rehabilitation programs, USDA Section 504 for eligible rural homes, and targeted grants such as Saint Paul Healthy Homes. Your address, income, repair type, ownership status, and whether you can repay a loan determine where to start.
Use the repair to choose the first call. A broken furnace belongs with an energy provider. A roof, wiring, septic, or accessibility problem usually belongs with a local housing office, Minnesota Housing lender, or USDA.
On this page
Best Place to Start in Minnesota
Minnesota repair help is highly local. A city, county HRA or CDA, community action agency, tribal provider, nonprofit, or participating lender often handles the application.
| Main problem | First place to contact | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| No heat, broken furnace, shutoff, or emergency fuel | Your local Energy Assistance or Weatherization provider | “Is heating repair, replacement, crisis help, or weatherization available now?” |
| Roof, wiring, plumbing, structural, septic, or code hazard | City or county rehab office, then a Minnesota Housing rehab lender | “Do you have owner-occupied rehabilitation, emergency repair, or forgivable funding?” |
| Ramp, bathroom access, wider doors, or other disability-related work | Minnesota Housing, local rehab office, Aging Pathways, or Disability Hub MN | “Which accessibility or home-modification program serves this address?” |
| Very-low-income rural homeowner | USDA Rural Development | “Is this address eligible for Section 504, and do I fit the loan or grant rules?” |
| Not sure who serves the address | United Way 211 or the Minnesota repair directory | “Who is taking owner-occupied home repair applications in my city or county?” |
General phone script: “I own and live in my home at [address]. The main problem is [one clear repair]. My household has [number] people. Do you have an open repair, emergency, accessibility, weatherization, or deferred-loan program for this address? If not, who should I call next?”
Quick Reference: What Kind of Help Is It?
| Program | Type of help | Current main limit | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Housing RLP/ELP | Forgivable loan | Up to $37,500 | Very-low-income owners with health, safety, energy, emergency, or accessibility work |
| Minnesota Housing Fix Up | Monthly-payment loan | $2,000 to $75,000 | Owners who can repay and need broad repair financing |
| Energy Loan Plus | Monthly-payment energy loan | $2,000 to $30,000; funding limited | Windows, insulation, HVAC, or water-heating projects |
| Weatherization Assistance | Free direct service | Work scope set after an energy assessment | Income-eligible homes with energy loss or heating equipment needs |
| USDA Section 504 | 1% loan, grant, or both | Up to $40,000 loan and $10,000 regular grant | Very-low-income rural owners; grants limited to eligible owners age 62+ |
| Local city or county program | Grant, deferred loan, forgivable loan, or service | Varies by place and funding round | Owners inside the program service area |
Minnesota Housing Home Repair Programs
Rehabilitation and Emergency & Accessibility Loans
The Minnesota Housing programs are the closest thing to a statewide repair lane. The Rehabilitation Loan Program and Emergency & Accessibility Loan Program, often called RLP/ELP, help low-income owner-occupants address work that directly affects safety, livability, energy efficiency, an emergency condition, or access for a household member with a disability.
Type of help: This is a forgivable loan, not an immediate grant. The current maximum is $37,500. The maximum term is 15 years for real property and 10 years for a manufactured home taxed as personal property in a mobile home park. The loan is forgiven if the owner does not sell, transfer title, or stop occupying the property during the term. A lien or mortgage document may be recorded, so ask the lender what happens if you move, sell, refinance, transfer title, or die before forgiveness is complete.
Eligible work includes roofs, wiring, plumbing, heating equipment, wells, septic systems, lead, radon, mold, windows, siding, and accessibility. Several owner-occupied property types may qualify.
- You own and occupy the home.
- Your property taxes and mortgage are current.
- Household assets do not exceed $25,000 under the program rule.
- Your income fits the current limit.
- Cosmetic-only remodeling and luxury work are not the program’s purpose.
The RLP/ELP income limits changed on July 1, 2026. They are statewide: $27,700 for one person, $31,600 for two, $35,600 for three, $39,500 for four, $42,700 for five, $45,800 for six, $49,000 for seven, and $52,100 for eight. Minnesota Housing allows applicants to reduce annual household income by $1,000 for each household member when testing eligibility. Larger-household limits are posted on the official page.
Apply through the Minnesota Housing lender directory; select the option for rehabilitating a home. For program questions, call 651-296-8215 or 800-710-8871. A participating lender, not Minnesota Housing itself, takes the application and handles the financing documents.
Practical tip: Ask whether the lender is currently accepting RLP/ELP files. A program can be statewide while a particular local lender has a waitlist, limited staff, or no current allocation.
Fix Up and Energy Loan Plus
Fix Up is a true loan with monthly payments. It offers $2,000 to $75,000, fixed rates, terms from one to 20 years, secured or unsecured options, and no down payment. Many repairs and improvements qualify. Work started or completed within the past 120 days may be financeable, but confirm that before relying on it.
For loans locked on or after July 1, 2026, the Fix Up income limit is $196,600 in the 11-county Twin Cities metro and Dodge and Olmsted counties, and $177,800 in all other counties. Credit, owner-occupancy, project, and lender rules still apply.
Energy Loan Plus is also a monthly-payment loan. It offers $2,000 to $30,000 for windows, insulation, HVAC, and water heaters, while funds last. Current limits are $105,200 in the 11-county metro, $108,700 in Dodge and Olmsted counties, and $95,200 elsewhere. Review the APR, fees, lien, and total repayment before signing.
Weatherization, Heating, and Utility Help
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free direct home energy upgrades to eligible homeowners and renters. It is not a check paid to the homeowner. A local provider may inspect the home and approve insulation, air sealing, or furnace, boiler, and water-heater repair or replacement when the work is cost-effective and fits program rules.
Posted 2026 annual limits include $37,439 for one person, $48,959 for two, $71,999 for four, and $95,038 for six. Providers generally review the prior calendar month’s income and may prioritize older adults, people with disabilities, young children, or high energy burdens.
As of July 27, 2026, the 2025-2026 Energy Assistance application season has ended, but Minnesota Commerce says people interested in weatherization can still contact a local Weatherization provider for an application. Call the Commerce Energy Information Center at 800-657-3710 if you cannot identify the provider.
Energy Assistance and emergency heating repair
The Energy Assistance Program is a grant program for heating costs and energy emergencies. During an open season, eligible households may receive up to $1,400 in regular benefits and up to $600 in additional crisis grants for shutoff prevention, reconnection, or emergency fuel. Eligible homeowners may also receive heating-system repair or replacement help.
Current status: The winter 2025-2026 application deadline was May 31, 2026, so that season is closed. The next federal program year begins October 1, 2026. Minnesota has posted new income guidelines, but homeowners should ask the local provider when the 2026-2027 application will be available. If heat is out now, call the provider anyway and ask about weatherization, county emergency aid, utility crisis programs, or another local source.
Utilities also offer rebates and income-qualified services. Ask before buying equipment. A rebate is not a repair grant and may require preapproval, listed equipment, or an approved contractor.
Rebate warning: The state’s Save Energy Minnesota home energy rebate program had not launched as of the state’s June 2026 update, and Commerce had not posted a launch date. Do not pay anyone to “reserve” a state rebate. Use current Weatherization, utility, city, or loan programs instead of waiting on an unlaunched benefit.
USDA Section 504 for Rural Minnesota
The USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program, commonly called Section 504, can be one of the best options for a very-low-income rural homeowner. Read the detailed USDA Section 504 guide, then confirm the address and current funding with Minnesota Rural Development.
Loan: Up to $40,000 at a fixed 1% interest rate for as long as 20 years. It can repair, improve, or modernize the home. The applicant must own and occupy the home, have very low income, live in an eligible rural area, and be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere.
Grant: Up to $10,000 under the regular program for an eligible homeowner age 62 or older who cannot repay a loan. Grant work must remove health and safety hazards. The grant is a lifetime benefit and may have to be repaid if the home is sold within three years. In certain presidentially declared disaster cases, USDA lists a disaster grant maximum of $15,000 and a combined loan-and-grant maximum of $55,000.
Applications are accepted year-round while funds are available. Contact Minnesota Rural Development at 651-602-7800 or email USDAHousingMN@usda.gov. USDA also lists housing contacts in Baxter, Cambridge, Faribault, Virginia, and Worthington. Do not decide that your town is “too big” or “rural enough” by sight; ask USDA to check the exact property address.
USDA phone script: “I own and live in a home in [county]. Please check whether my exact address is eligible for Section 504. My household income is about [amount], I need [repair], and the oldest owner is [age]. Should I apply for the loan, the grant, or both?”
Local Minnesota Programs Can Be Better Than Statewide Help
Local help may be called owner-occupied rehab, emergency repair, healthy homes, or a deferred loan. The local CDBG repair guide explains why the city or county—not HUD—is usually the application point.
| Area | Current path | Important terms or contact |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | Home improvement financing for one- to four-unit owner-occupied homes | Programs may include loans with or without monthly payments, lead help, and nonprofit referrals. Posted financing range is $2,000 to $75,000. Call 612-673-5174. |
| Saint Paul | Saint Paul grant programs | Open as of July 2026, limited funds. Both are true grants up to $50,000, paid to contractors, with no repayment. Healthy Homes addresses pre-weatherization and weatherization work; Power of Home funds eligible electrification. Call Dave Schroeder at 651-266-8540. |
| Hennepin County outside Minneapolis | Healthy Homes screening | Screening covers lead paint removal and home repair help. County repair loans may be 0% with no monthly payment and may be forgiven if ownership and occupancy rules are met. Call 612-543-4182. |
| Olmsted County and Rochester | County rehab programs | County materials list $5,000 to $25,000 deferred loans at 2%, plus an accessibility loan up to $5,000 at 0% that is forgiven over seven years. Rochester CDBG funding may have a waitlist and seasonal cycle. Call 507-328-7124 and confirm current terms. |
| St. Cloud | CDBG rehabilitation loan | Posted maximum is $25,000 for health, safety, weatherization, accessibility, roof, heating, plumbing, electrical, siding, and window work. Call 320-202-3179. |
| Duluth and nearby communities | One Roof homeowner loans | One Roof serves Duluth, Superior, and nearby areas and helps match applicants with available repair financing, including Minnesota Housing rehabilitation programs. Call 218-727-5372. |
Saint Paul details: Healthy Homes covers qualifying one- to four-unit properties with problems that block weatherization. Power of Home serves qualifying single-family homes and requires weatherization within the past seven years. Income or approved-area rules apply, and limited funding means approval is not guaranteed.
For another county or city, use the local repair search steps. Ask for the HRA, CDA, EDA, community development office, community action agency, or the organization that administers Minnesota Housing rehab money. United Way 211 is available 24 hours a day at 211 or 800-543-7709; you can also text your ZIP code to 898-211.
Current disaster-specific help
The Minnesota Housing disaster loan is currently open only for a narrow event. Members and descendants of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe whose primary home or residential rental property was damaged by severe storms and straight-line winds on June 21, 2025 may qualify for an interest-free deferred loan. Applicants must first pursue insurance and federal assistance. The application deadline is October 30, 2026. Contact Woodland Bank in Deer River at 218-999-0590 or Minnesota Housing at 651-296-8215.
This is not a general statewide storm grant. Homeowners affected by another event should contact insurance, county emergency management, FEMA when a declaration applies, USDA if the home is rural, and 211. Avoid duplication of benefits: disaster programs normally ask what insurance and other agencies already paid.
Older Adults, People With Disabilities, Veterans, and Tribal Households
Older adults and caregivers
Minnesota Aging Pathways is a free statewide navigator for older adults and caregivers. Call 800-333-2433, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for connections to aging, home-safety, waiver, volunteer, and housing resources.
Local Habitat affiliates may offer critical repair or aging-in-place work. See how Habitat repair programs work before calling. Eligibility, payment terms, repair scope, and open status are set locally.
Disability-related modifications
Disability Hub MN helps people navigate disability services. Call 866-333-2466 on weekdays and ask about county or tribal assessment, waiver services, accessibility loans, and local modifications. The home modification guide explains the main paths.
Veterans
Use the MDVA contact directory to find a County Veterans Service Officer, or call LinkVet at 888-546-5838. Veteran status does not automatically cover ordinary repairs, but a medically necessary modification may fit a VA benefit. Review VA SHA and HISA before starting work.
Tribal areas
Tribal households should call the tribal housing or human services office as well as the statewide program. Tribal providers may handle energy, weatherization, veteran, or local repair intake under separate rules.
How to Apply Without Losing Time
- Write one sentence about the repair. Example: “The furnace stopped, and there is no safe heat,” or “The roof leak is damaging the bedroom ceiling.”
- Take clear photos. Photograph the damaged area, the wider room, and any model or serial number on failed equipment.
- Make two calls. Call the local city or county repair office and the statewide path that matches the problem: Minnesota Housing, Weatherization, or USDA.
- Ask the funding type. Use the exact words grant, forgivable loan, deferred loan, monthly-payment loan, rebate, or direct repair service.
- Do not begin work early. Get written permission before signing a contract, paying a deposit, ordering equipment, or allowing demolition unless the program specifically allows prior work.
- Track every contact. Record the date, name, phone number, program, documents requested, and next deadline.
Documents to gather
- Photo identification for each owner
- Deed, property tax statement, homestead record, or mortgage statement showing ownership and occupancy
- Income proof for all household members, including wages, Social Security, pension, unemployment, self-employment, and other income
- Recent mortgage statement and proof that property taxes are current
- Homeowners insurance information
- Utility bills, account numbers, shutoff notice, or fuel-delivery record when energy is involved
- Photos, inspection reports, code notices, and contractor estimates
- Disability or medical documentation if a program asks why an accessibility change is needed
- Insurance claim, FEMA, SBA, or disaster paperwork when damage came from a storm or declared disaster
Before signing: “Please tell me in writing whether this is a grant, forgivable loan, deferred loan, or monthly-payment loan. Will a lien be recorded? What makes the balance due? May I choose the contractor, and can any work begin before closing?”
What Slows Approval—and What to Do Next
Approval may take weeks or months because of waitlists, missing documents, title or tax problems, bids, lead review, permits, inspections, limited funds, or a project above the program cap.
Common mistakes
- Asking only, “Do you have grants?” instead of naming the repair and asking about all funding types
- Calling the state agency but not the local intake office
- Starting work before written approval
- Leaving an unsafe condition out of the application because it seems embarrassing
- Assuming a deferred or forgivable loan never creates a lien or repayment event
- Using an old income table or an old page that says a program is closed
If denied, ask for the reason in writing. If the problem is missing paperwork, ask whether the file can be reopened. If income is too high for RLP/ELP, ask about Fix Up, Energy Loan Plus, utility rebates, and city financing. If credit blocks a loan, pivot to Weatherization, a local grant or deferred-loan program, USDA grant eligibility for an older rural owner, or nonprofit repair. If the local fund is exhausted, ask for the next opening date, a waitlist, and partner referrals.
When a smaller volunteer project could keep the home safe, review nonprofit repair options. These programs are local and may not handle major structural, roof, sewer, mold, or full-system work, but they can be useful for steps, rails, minor exterior repairs, fall prevention, or accessibility.
Contractor and financing warning: Do not pay a fee to apply for a government repair program. Do not give bank information to an unsolicited caller. Verify the contractor’s Minnesota license and insurance, obtain a written scope, and avoid high-pressure financing tied to door-to-door sales. A contractor saying “the grant is guaranteed” is a warning sign. Government and nonprofit programs decide eligibility—not the salesperson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one statewide Minnesota home repair grant?
No. Minnesota has several statewide and local paths, but no single grant serves every homeowner. Minnesota Housing RLP/ELP is a forgivable loan, Weatherization is a direct service, USDA offers rural loans and targeted grants, and cities or counties may have their own grants or deferred loans.
Can Minnesota Housing pay for a roof?
Yes, roof repair or replacement is listed as eligible under RLP/ELP and can also fit Fix Up. Approval still depends on income, ownership, lender, property, repair scope, funding, and underwriting rules. Local rehab and USDA Section 504 programs may also cover a necessary roof.
What is the 2026 Minnesota Housing rehabilitation income limit?
For loans locked on or after July 1, 2026, the RLP/ELP limit is $27,700 for one person, $31,600 for two, $35,600 for three, and $39,500 for four, with higher limits for larger households. Minnesota Housing allows a $1,000 annual income reduction for each household member when testing eligibility.
Is Minnesota Energy Assistance open now?
The 2025-2026 application season closed on May 31, 2026. The next federal program year begins October 1, 2026. Contact the local provider for the new application date and ask about Weatherization or emergency local resources if a heating problem cannot wait.
Are Saint Paul home repair grants open?
Yes. As of July 27, 2026, Saint Paul says Healthy Homes and Power of Home are open with limited funding. Each is a true grant of up to $50,000 for approved work, paid directly to contractors, with no homeowner repayment. Eligibility and project rules differ, and an application does not guarantee funding.
Can a rural Minnesota homeowner get a USDA grant?
Possibly. The regular Section 504 grant is for a very-low-income homeowner age 62 or older who owns and occupies an eligible rural home, cannot repay a loan, and needs to remove health or safety hazards. The regular lifetime grant maximum is $10,000, and repayment may be required if the home is sold within three years.
About This Guide
How we researched this page: We checked official federal, state, local, tribal, utility, and trusted nonprofit sources linked in this article. We reviewed program names, service areas, eligibility rules, application routes, contact details, and whether each option is a grant, loan, rebate, service, or referral.
Our role: HomeRepairGrants.org is an independent information website. We do not run these programs, accept applications, choose recipients, or guarantee funding or approval.
Local changes: Funding, waitlists, service areas, income limits, and application periods can change. Confirm current details with the organization that runs the program before you apply, sign papers, pay money, or start repair work.
Corrections: See something outdated or incorrect? Email info@homerepairgrants.org and include the page URL and a reliable source when possible.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information. It is not legal, financial, tax, insurance, medical, disability-rights, contractor, or government-agency advice.
Last verified: July 27, 2026 | Next review: October 27, 2026