The Plan at Work: Strategy 2

Expand affordable homeownership opportunities and improve housing stability for communities that have experienced historic wealth extraction

In alignment with recommended action from Strategy 2, Community & Economic Development has begun to implement the work of the plan.

Lead efforts to align federal resources to support Economic Inclusion and Heading Home Ramsey priorities

Strengthen Ramsey County’s commitment to homeownership

  • FirstHome down payment assistance program was revamped in 2022 to meet current market condition.  Ramsey County’s FirstHome program assists first-time and first-generation homebuyers with low-to-moderate incomes who are purchasing homes in Ramsey County, outside the City of Saint Paul.

Create a funding or tax wavier program to address historic redlining

  • No direct investments at this time.
  • Ramsey County continues to be a leader in the regional Groundbreak Coalition (created as a public-private partnership to intentionally support Black wealth builders).  

Improve access to housing information for all residents. 

  • Increased partnership and participation in in-person community events (examples:  SPAAR community fair, Emerging & Diverse Developers events at Rondo Library, Workforce Solutions fair, and MLK Jr event)

Explore working with cities to adopt disclosure policies that help renters know their full housing cost

  • No updates to provide at this time.   

Create an Equitable and Resilient Communities Fellowship

  • No updates to provide at this time.   

Promote coordination between county programs and city of Saint Paul to extend programs to small multifamily buildings/projects

  • No updates to provide at this time

Create an additional rehab fund that allows for emergency home repairs. 

  • Establishment of a new Critical Repair Pilot Program that supports bringing owner-occupied homes (including manufactured homes) up to compliance with safety code in suburban Ramsey County. 
    • CAP-RW selected as single family home provider.  
    • Slipstream selected as manufactured home provider.

Additionally: 

  • Restarted home rehab loan program in 2022 with a new provider.  Slipstream provides a tiered loan program for owner-occupied homes in suburban Ramsey County that need repairs that enhance safety.  Continued support of an energy efficiency/weatherization home loan program with Center for Energy and Environment. 
  • Assisted homeowners seeking assistance with housing payments as a result of COVID pandemic.  Limited duration program was discontinued in 2022.