It takes a lot of energy to keep our homes comfortable during Minneapolis’s famously chilly winters. However, homes that look similar may need very different amounts of energy to maintain this comfort. That difference is measurable — it represents the energy efficiency of a home.

For almost a year, the City has been assessing the energy use of houses on the market and has compiled thousands of home efficiency scores. Because many Minneapolis homes are older, the average city score is 70 out of 100. (You can view the publicly available map of scores at mncee.org/tish/yourscore.)

Curious about how you can stay more comfortable by saving energy? Contact an Energy Advisor from the local nonprofit Center for Energy and Environment. Energy Advisors are a free, no-pressure service to help answer home energy questions, identify available rebates and financing, and provide connections to quality contractors.

Improving a home’s energy efficiency has multiple benefits:

• improved year-round comfort;
• better indoor air quality;
• lower energy bills; and
• reduced environmental impact.

Call 651-328-6225 to speak with an Energy Advisor or visit mncee.org/tish for more information.

Energy Advisors are a service from the local nonprofit Center for Energy and Environment in partnership with CenterPoint Energy and the City of Minneapolis.

The Rehab Support Program, in partnership with the City of Minneapolis and Minnesota Housing, offers the Fix Up Loan program at a fixed interest rate of 2% (2.144% APR based on $30,000 loan).  Maximum loan is $30,000 to 43 select Minneapolis neighborhoods.  The goal of the Rehab Support Program is to encourage households to complete improvements to their homes that will increase the home’s value while addressing health, safety, and housing code violations.

The Rehab Support Program (RSP) offers the following:

Priority for improvements will be the correction of outstanding code orders and any mechanical, structural, and safety hazards. If no required repairs are present, permanent improvements such as, but not limited to, interior finishing/remodeling, energy conservation, accessibility, site work, building envelope, electrical, garage, HVAC, plumbing, and windows will be allowed.

• Household Income may not exceed $105,600.
• Must have a credit score of at least 620.
• Single-family homes, condominiums and townhomes are eligible.
• Ownership by any form of trust except Community Land Trust and individual home-site lease assignments on tribal trust land and ownership subject to a reverse mortgage are not eligible.
• Homeowner labor / sweat equity projects are not allowed.

How to Apply

1. Download and print the Rehab Support Program application from the website or request an application be sent to you .
2. Complete and sign all forms.
3. Provide copies of supporting documents as described in the application.
4. Include a check payable to City of Minneapolis for the credit report.  Cash and credit cards are not accepted.

Send your completed applications to:

E-mail:   owneroccupiedrehab@minneapolismn.gov

FAX:       612-424-8281

Mail:      City of Minneapolis – CPED

Attn:      Owner Occupied Rehab

105 Fifth Avenue South Suite 200

Minneapolis, MN 55401-2534

Questions please call: Owner Occupied Rehab at (612) 673-5174

For more information about this program and other owner-occupied home improvement programs, please visit our web site.

(NORTHEAST PARK: Home Improvement Program)

Program Flyer – English
Program Flyer – Spanish

Applications available via the Center for Energy and the Environment

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Program Overview:    NE Park Neighborhood has NRP dollars available that have been designated to help property owners make necessary repairs and improvements.  The intent of this Grant Program is to encourage investment in the neighborhood by maintaining and improving the housing stock.  Other sources of funds are also available, such as MHFA and CEE, which may be used to supplement this program.

Grant Program

1. Interest Rate: None
2. Grant Amount: Minimum of $1,000; Maximum of $3,000
3. Program Match: There is no matching requirement for households with income less than or equal to 100% HUD AMI, based on household size.  If household income is greater than 100% HUD AMI the recipient must match each grant dollar (1:1).  Income will be verified by a copy of the most recent Federal Tax Return.  If a Tax Return is not required to be filed then income will be determined by verifying the projected income over the next 12 months.
4. Income Limit: No maximum income limit; however, project acceptance will be weighed on a needs basis for individuals who have projects that are critical for safety and security of their homes.  A copy of the most recent Federal Tax Return will be used to determine if a Program Match is required.  If a Tax Return is not required to be filed then income will be determined by verifying the projected income over the next 12 months.
5. Grant Term: N/A
6. Eligible Properties: Owner occupied 1-4 unit properties located within the boundaries of the NE Park Neighborhood.  Individual condominiums, townhomes and properties held in a trust are eligible.
7. Ineligible Properties: Properties with more than 4 units, co-operatives, manufactured homes, time shares, and properties used for commercial purposes.
8. Eligible Recipients: Owner occupants of 1-4 unit properties within the NE Park Neighborhood who meet the program guideline criteria.
9. Ineligible Recipients: Include, but are not limited to: co-borrowers with no ownership interest in the subject property and business entities (Associations, Corporations, Partnerships, LLC, etc.).
10. Ownership / Occupancy: Property must be owner occupied. (NEPNA will review eligibility at 6 months and a year of home grant program to determine eligibility of non-owner occupied 1-4 unit properties located within the boundaries of the NE Park Neighborhood).
11. Equity: N/A
12. Debt- to-Income Ratio: N/A
13. Underwriting / Credit Requirements: Applicants must be current on all mortgage payments and property taxes.
14. Multiple Grants per Property/Applicant:  Applicants may receive multiple grants, but the combined amounts are not to exceed the program maximum grant amount.
15. Eligible Improvements: Most interior and exterior improvements
16. Ineligible Improvements: Work initiated prior to the loan being approved and closed. No recreation or luxury projects (pools, lawn sprinkler systems, playground equipment, saunas, whirlpools, etc.), furniture, and non-permanent appliances. Generally shrubs, trees and landscaping are ineligible improvements unless there is a safety or structural issue. Funds for working capital, debt service or refinancing existing debts are NOT allowed.  CEE will defer to NEPNA chair whenever eligibility of an improvement project is in question.

Additional details available in the Program Guidelines

Applications available via the Center for Energy and the Environment

Program Flyer – English
Program Flyer – Spanish