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Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance

Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Saint Paul, Minnesota, administered by NeighborWorks Home Partners.

Last verified Source: NeighborWorks Home Partners

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Home Stretch, Framework, or Realizing the American Dream (within past 12 months and before purchase agreement).
  • Residency: At least one borrower must currently live in Minnesota.
  • Pairs with interest-free, fee-based (Islamic/Sharia-compliant) first mortgages; valid pre-approval without co-signer required.
  • A home in Minnesota

It doesn’t cover

  • Purchases above the $766,550 price cap
  • Households above 130% of area median income

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

Income limit

130% of the area median income where the home is

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

Where it applies

Minnesota’s homes

  • 66% single-family
  • 7.4% townhouse
  • 4.2% 2–4 units
  • 19.4% 5+ units
  • 2.9% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$329,300

Minnesota median home value

52.1%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Home Stretch, Framework, or Realizing the American Dream (within past 12 months and before purchase agreement)..

  2. Contact NeighborWorks Home Partners to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance?

Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Saint Paul, Minnesota, administered by NeighborWorks Home Partners. The Welcome Home (Sakan) program provides down payment and closing-cost assistance of up to 30% of a home's purchase price, capped at $50,000, as a 0% interest forgivable loan (10% forgiven per year over 10 years), paired with fee-based/zero-interest (Sharia-compliant) first financing for homes purchased anywhere in Minnesota. Up to $50,000 assistance. 0% interest. Forgiven 10%/yr over 10 years. Compatible with Sharia-compliant first financing. For down payment, closing costs, or principal buy-down. Funding comes from NeighborWorks Home Partners.

How much assistance does it provide?

Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance offers up to $50,000 in assistance. Homebuyer contribution: Borrower must contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds; gifts/grants/loans not acceptable. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — NeighborWorks Home Partners determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance is forgiven after 10 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Repaid in full if, during the 10-year term, the property is sold, transferred, refinanced, or no longer the borrower's principal residence (otherwise forgiven 10%/yr). The assistance is recorded in Subordinate position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. A homebuyer education course is required, through Home Stretch, Framework, or Realizing the American Dream (within past 12 months and before purchase agreement). Residency requirement: At least one borrower must currently live in Minnesota. Pairs with interest-free, fee-based (Islamic/Sharia-compliant) first mortgages; valid pre-approval without co-signer required.

What are the income limits?

Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 130% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Gross household income from all sources <= 130% of HUD Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro AMI. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;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?

Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price at $766,550. Eligible property types include Single Family, 2-4 Unit, Townhouse, Condo, Manufactured, and Cooperative/Mutual (up to 4 units). Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance serves homebuyers purchasing in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

How do you apply?

Applications for Welcome Home (Sakan) Down Payment Assistance go through NeighborWorks Home Partners, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by NeighborWorks Home Partners and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.