Resources for Minnesota's Employer Based Housing Programs

GMHF collaborates with others interested in helping employers provide decent affordable housing for their workforce. The following organizations have resources and programs that support affordable housing in Greater Minnesota.

MHFA The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency is a state agency that helps Minnesotans achieve successful homeownership through low interest home mortgage, home improvement and property rehabilitation loans, downpayment assistance, homeowner training, and support for community development and revitalization efforts.

Read more from MHFA about how Governor Pawlenty issued a proclamation declaring November 24th Workforce Housing Day in Minnesota.

Fannie Mae provides financial products and services that make it possible for low-, moderate-, and middle-income families to buy homes of their own. The most common benefits distributed by Fannie Mae are grants, forgivable loans, deferred or repayable loans, matched savings, interest-rate buydowns, shared appreciation and home-buyer education. 

USDA Rural Development enhances the ability of rural communities to develop, grow and improve their quality-of-life by targeting financial and technical resources in areas of greatest need through activities of greatest potential. The organization’s Rural Housing Service has a wide range of housing programs available for multifamily, single-family and farm-labor housing.

HUD in Minnesota The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a federal government agency with a mission of providing a decent, safe and sanitary home and suitable living environment for every American. HUD funding supports affordable housing initiatives and HUD/FHA insurance makes first-mortgage loans available to many homebuyers.

Freddie Mac is a shareholder-owned corporation that creates a continuous flow of funds to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing. The corporation purchases mortgages from lenders and packages them into securities that are sold to investors. Freddie Mac offers a range of affordable mortgage products to lenders throughout Minnesota, including products specifically designed for community-based initiatives. Employers can work with their local lenders and Freddie Mac to ensure that affordable mortgage products are available to their employees.

Minnesota Housing Partnership supports the creation and preservation of housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income people so that every Minnesotan can have a safe, decent home. MHP supports its mission through an integrated approach of development support, advocacy and collaboration. MHP offers financial and technical assistance to nonprofit developers of affordable housing, works for legislation that guarantees safe and affordable housing, and coordinates planning and resources through a network of local, regional and statewide partnerships.

Home Ownership Center is a nonprofit, statewide organization that promotes sustainable home ownership for low- and moderate-income Minnesotans through the development and delivery of quality, standardized education, counseling and related support services. HOC works with local homebuyer education organizations across the sate to ensure that needed services are available to potential buyers.