Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance

What is Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance?

Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Hennepin|Ramsey|Washington|Dakota|Anoka County, Minnesota.

• Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance is NWHP's flagship multi-county DPA loan offering up to $20,000 as a 0% interest deferred second mortgage to income-qualified buyers across Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, and Anoka counties. Funded through Minnesota Housing's Impact Fund and NWHP's CDFI revolving loan funds. Designed to be paired with the NWHP Community Keys Plus first-mortgage product. Loan is fully deferred and repayable at sale, transfer, refinance, or loss of owner-occupancy.
• Up to $20,000 as a 0% interest deferred second-mortgage loan with no monthly payment for buyers in Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, and Anoka counties. Loan is repayable at sale, transfer, refinance with cash-out, or loss of owner-occupancy. Designed to be paired with NWHP's Community Keys Plus first-mortgage product.
• Funding comes from MHFA Impact Fund and CDFI.

Do you have to pay it back?

Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

• Repayment is triggered by Due in full at sale, transfer of title, refinance with cash-out, or loss of owner-occupancy.
• The assistance is recorded in 2 position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household income at or below 80% HUD AMI for Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI HMFA: 1-person $68,500 to 8-person $129,100 (FY2025 limits).
• The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
• The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
• Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price at $700,000.

• Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Townhome, Condominium, and 2-unit owner-occupied.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Hennepin|Ramsey|Washington|Dakota|Anoka County, Minnesota.

How do you apply?

Applications for Community Keys Plus Down Payment Assistance go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through 8 hours homebuyer education from Minnesota Homeownership Center / Framework / NWHP-approved provider required..

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Reservations through NWHP via approved lender pipeline; subject to fund availability., and are subject to availability.

3. 3

   Work with a lender who handles the program

   Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.