Homeownership Education & Counseling

Homeownership Education, Counseling and Training (HECAT) Fund

HECAT provides financial support to eligible nonprofit organizations and governmental entities to deliver a variety of homeownership education, counseling and training services to Minnesotans.

Consumers

If you are interested in receiving homebuyer education, please contact a Homeownership Advisor for more information.

Application for Funding

2025-2027 Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified Request for Proposal (RFP)

The 2025-2027 Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP is available now!

The Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP provides competitive funding for the Homeownership Education, Counseling and Training (HECAT) Program and the Enhanced Financial Capacity Homeownership Program (Homeownership Capacity), to eligible organizations for the primary purpose of preparing potential homebuyers for successful homeownership and household stability through homeowner education and counseling and financial empowerment services.

In order to be considered for funding, the application and required items must be completed and received no later than noon Central Time on Monday, May 12, 2025. Any application that does not include all required items will not be eligible for funding consideration.

Prepare to apply for the RFP

All applicants are encouraged to review these materials before starting the RFP application.

The HECAT Manual
The Standards Guide
Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP Instructions
Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP Application Questions (for reference only, the Application must be completed through the application website)
Instructions on how to use the Secure Upload Tool

Ready to Apply?

Two steps are required to submit a complete application:

STEP 1:

Complete the application on the application website
Complete the HECAT Funding Workbook and upload it when completing the application
Complete Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP Applicant Signature Page and upload it when completing the application

STEP 2:

Applicants must complete the applicable Risk Assessment form. Nonprofit organizations and for-profit business entities may also need to complete the applicable Internal Controls Certification form. Tribal governments are not subject to the Risk Assessment.

Submit applicable Risk Assessment Documents through the Secure Upload Tool

RFP Information Session:

Register below for an opportunity to learn about the 2025-2027 Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified Request for Proposal requirements and ask questions. All interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Time: 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Register for Information Session

Program Information

HECAT Awards

Questions?

For more information, please contact counselingandeducation.mhfa@state.mn.us.

Homeownership Capacity

Homeownership Capacity provides financial support to eligible nonprofit and government organizations that provide enhanced financial empowerment and homeownership training to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and low-income renters who have the goal of homeownership.

Consumers

If you are interested in receiving guidance to improve your credit score, develop a spending and/or saving plan, or reduce debt, please contact one of our Homeownership Capacity providers for more information.

Application for Funding

2025-2027 Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified Request for Proposal (RFP)

The 2025-2027 Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP is available now!

The Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP provides competitive funding for the Homeownership Education, Counseling and Training (HECAT) Program and the Enhanced Financial Capacity Homeownership Program (Homeownership Capacity), to eligible organizations for the primary purpose of preparing potential homebuyers for successful homeownership and household stability through homeowner education and counseling and financial empowerment services.

In order to be considered for funding, the application and required items must be completed and received no later noon Central Time on Monday, May 12, 2025. Any application that does not include all required items will not be eligible for funding consideration.

Prepare to apply for the RFP

All applicants are encouraged to review these materials before starting the RFP application.

The Homeownership Capacity Manual
Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP Instructions
Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP Application Questions (for reference only, the Application must be completed through the application website)
Instructions on how to use the Secure Upload Tool

Ready to Apply?

Two steps are required to submit a complete application:

STEP 1:

Complete the application on the application website
Complete the Homeownership Capacity Funding Workbook and upload it when completing the application
Complete Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified RFP Applicant Signature Page and upload it when completing the application

STEP 2:

Applicants must complete the applicable Risk Assessment form. Nonprofit organizations and for-profit business entities may also need to complete the applicable Internal Controls Certification form. Tribal governments are not subject to the Risk Assessment.

Submit applicable Risk Assessment Documents through the Secure Upload Tool

RFP Information Session:

Register below for an opportunity to learn about the 2025-2027 Homeownership Education & Counseling Unified Request for Proposal requirements and ask questions. All interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Time: 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Register for Information Session

Homeownership Capacity Awards

Homeownership Capacity Data Collection System

Homeownership Capacity Data Collection system

This tool allows organizations to securely report client level data for the Homeownership Capacity program. Please review the instructions on how to use the Homeownership Capacity Data Collection System.

Questions?

For more information on the Unified RFP, contact: counselingandeducation.mhfa@state.mn.us.

For more information on the Homeownership Capacity Program, contact Homeownershipcapacity.MHFA@state.mn.us.