Minnesota Housing Awards $4.7 Million in Homeownership Education Grants

Release Date: November 25, 2025
Release Date: November 25, 2025

ST. PAUL, MN: Minnesota Housing’s board of directors approved more than $4.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and government entities providing homeowner education, counseling and financial empowerment services. Thirty-one grantees are expected to reach more than 17,000 households across Minnesota with individual and group education.  

The approved funding supports two programs that prepare potential homebuyers for successful homeownership and household stability:  

  • Homeownership Education, Counseling and Training program (HECAT) provides homeownership education, pre-purchase services like financial wellness and homeownership counseling, and foreclosure prevention counseling to low- and moderate-income Minnesotans. The program is funded by state appropriations and co-funded by the Minnesota Homeownership Center and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. HECAT has served nearly 250,000 households since 1995. 

  • Enhanced Financial Capacity Homeownership Program provides financial education and one-on-one financial coaching to Black, Indigenous, and communities of color and low-income households. Funded by Minnesota Housing, the program aims to increase successful homeownership and household stability in these communities. Clients can receive up to three years of financial education, individualized financial coaching and education related to post-home purchases. Since its launch in 2014, over 9,000 households have received Homeownership Capacity services.  

"These programs offer Minnesotans an important gateway to financial empowerment and homeownership," said Jennifer Ho, commissioner of Minnesota Housing. "When we make information and support available, homeownership can become a reality for more people.”  

Grantees will provide education services across the Twin Cities 7-County metropolitan area, Greater Minnesota and Tribal Nations, offering programming in up to 11 languages and with culturally specific approaches. 

Grants for both programs were available through a competitive process, the 2026-2027 Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified Request for Proposals. The board of directors approved the grants during their September 25, 2025, meeting.  

Learn more about the Homeownership Education and Counseling and Homeownership Capacity programs.  

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