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FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program

St. Paul, Minnesota

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Assistance

$15,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

$174,800

The household income limit the program publishes

Price cap

$372,600

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 20 years

What is FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program?

FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in St. Paul, Minnesota.

  • Ramsey County (excl. Saint Paul) FTHB forgivable DPA. Up to $10,000 0% (5-yr/20%/yr). Max PP $372,600. Income $72,950-$174,800. 640 FICO. FTHB required.
  • Ramsey County FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $10,000 in deferred forgivable down payment, closing-cost, and prepaid expense assistance to first-time homebuyers purchasing a primary residence within Ramsey County, Minnesota (excluding the City of Saint Paul, which administers its own DPA program). Funded through Ramsey County HRA/CED levy and federal HOME/CDBG, the assistance is structured as a 0% interest deferred forgivable loan, forgiven 20% per year over a 5-year compliance period (full forgiveness at end of year 5) so long as the borrower maintains owner-occupancy. Maximum purchase price $372,600. Income up to $72,950 (1-person) - $174,800 (4+ person tier ceiling).
  • Funding comes from Local Government, HOME, and CDBG.

How much assistance does it provide?

FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $15,000 in assistance.

  • The program asks buyers to contribute $1,000 minimum borrower contribution from own funds.
  • The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 20 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by 0% interest forgivable loan, forgiven 20% per year over 5-year compliance period. Sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer of title, or non-owner-occupancy during years 1-5 triggers proportional repayment of unforgiven balance.
  • The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: FTHB requirement may be waived for qualifying veterans.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: 640 minimum FICO per first-mortgage product overlay.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through NeighborWorks Home Partners (HUD-approved) - pre-purchase 8-hour homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling required.
  • Residency: Property must be in Ramsey County, Minnesota, EXCLUDING City of Saint Paul.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying non-permanent resident alien per first-mortgage product overlays.
  • First-time homebuyer required (no ownership of a primary residence in the prior 3 years). Property must be located within Ramsey County, Minnesota, EXCLUDING the City of Saint Paul (Saint Paul administers its own DPA via PED). Maximum purchase price $372,600. Income up to $72,950 (1-person) - $174,800 (4+ person ceiling). Must complete HUD-approved homebuyer education with NeighborWorks Home Partners or other HUD-approved counselor. $1,000 minimum borrower contribution. 5-year owner-occupancy compliance period (forgiveness 20%/year). Sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer of title, or non-owner-occupancy during years 1-5 triggers proportional repayment.

The program excludes

  • Purchases above the $372,600 price cap
  • Households above $174,800

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to $174,800.

  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • 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?

FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $372,600.

  • Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condominium (project-approved), townhouse, PUD, manufactured home (real-property-titled).
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

FirstHome Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in St. Paul, Minnesota.

How do you apply?

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

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through NeighborWorks Home Partners (HUD-approved) - pre-purchase 8-hour homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling required..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Application via Ramsey County CED office., and are subject to availability.

  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.

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