Community Activity-Set Aside Program (CASA)

You Can Own a Home through Community Partnerships

The Community Activity Set Aside (CASA) program is a first time homebuyer loan program that helps low to moderate income Minnesotans buy a home. The affordable, low, fixed interest rates are available to eligible homebuyers through lenders participating in initiatives in several communities around the state. Homebuyer education is required for all borrowers receiving a CASA loan.

Am I Eligible for a Community Activity-Set Aside loan?

If you:

Are a first-time homebuyer;
Have federal income tax return copies for the last 3 years,
Have acceptable credit;
Have an income at or below prescribed Minnesota Housing income limits and want to buy a qualifying home;
Are purchasing a home within the geographic service area of a CASA Community initiative;

You may be eligible.

What are CASA Community Initiatives?

Minnesota Housing provides CASA funds to cities and counties that have initiatives promoting or marketing these funds to targeted population groups (Emerging Market Households* or Single Headed Households**) or have initiatives that address Workforce Housing needs. Eligible Workforce Housing initiatives must involve one or more of these options:

New construction in Target Counties: (Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, Wright)
New construction in approved developments
Homes sold by government or non-profit agencies
Homes with long-term affordability including Community Land Trust and deed restricted homes
Approved employer-based initiatives
Neighborhood/Community revitalization efforts

You are not required to be a member of a targeted population group to be eligible for a CASA loan.

*Emerging Markets: Households of Color or Hispanic Ethnicity or endorsed pilot programs.
**Single Headed Households: A family with one adult householder, no spouse/partner in the household, and one or more dependents in the household.

Look for A Lender
Our current CASA initiatives can be found in our Twin Cities Metro Area CASA Matrix or our Greater Minnesota CASA Matrix listed by area and lender.

Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance
Minnesota Housing provides the opportunity for eligible homebuyers who qualify for a Minnesota Housing loan to receive an interest-free, deferred loan to help with downpayment and closing costs through the Homeownership Assistance Fund (HAF) and the Home Homeowner Entry Loan Program (HOME HELP).

First time homebuyers interested in using HAF should contact a Minnesota Housing participating lender in either the Twin Cities Metro Area or Greater Minnesota prior to signing a purchase agreement. Participating lenders can determine the level of HAF eligibility to maximize your purchasing power.

Contact
For more information on the CASA Program, call the Minnesota Housing Consumer Information Line at 651-296-8215 or 1-800-710-8871.

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Community Activity-Set Aside Program (CASA)

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