Minnesota Housing's First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program is a downpayment and closing cost loan for first-generation homebuyers. It is a deferred, interest-free and forgivable loan. You may qualify as a first-generation homebuyer if you and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have never owned their primary residence (in any country) or owned a home, but lost it due to foreclosure. If you do not know if your parent or legal guardian owned a home or lost it due to foreclosure, you may still be eligible for the program. 

Visit mnhousing.gov/getready.html to learn how you can take a homebuyer education class, speak with a homeownership advisor, and find a lender and learn more about the program. To prepare for the launch, check out:  

• First-Generation Homebuyer Loan webpage     
• First-Generation Homebuyer Loan flyer (also available in our Marketing Center) 
• Watch a recording of our information session on the program. 

Is Minnesota Housing's program the same as the First-Generation Homebuyers Community Down Payment Assistance Fund?   

• Minnesota Housing's First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program is different from the First-Generation Homebuyers Community Down Payment Assistance Fund.    
• Borrowers cannot combine Minnesota Housing’s First-Generation Homebuyer Loan with the First-Generation Homebuyers Community Down Payment Assistance Fund. 
• The goal of both programs is to help more first-generation homebuyers access homeownership.   

Join the next monthly webinar tomorrow, Wednesday, May 1 from 1 - 2 p.m. to hear about: 

• New Domestic Violence Housing First Program funding 
• New Domestic and Sexual Violence Transitional Housing funding  
• Overview of programs moving to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families  

If you have any questions about your webinar registration, please email dan.gregory@state.mn.us  

The state of Minnesota is working on a transition to create a new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). This new cabinet-level agency will be established in July 2024 and fully staffed by July 2025. Yesterday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced Tikki Brown, currently Assistant Commissioner for Children and Family Services with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, as the first Commissioner of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Read the full announcement here.  

In anticipation of the establishment of this new department, new executive-level positions are now open, though applications close soon. Please encourage your networks to apply for the following: 

• General Counsel (Job ID #: 75780) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Thursday, May 2 
• Chief Business Technology Officer (Job ID #: 75866) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 6 
• Deputy Commissioner (Job ID #: 75867) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Friday, May 10 
• Assistant Commissioner - Child Safety & Permanency (Job ID #: 75976) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 13 
• Assistant Commissioner - Early Childhood (Job ID #: 75975) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 13 
• Assistant Commissioner - Economic Opportunity and Youth Services (Job ID #: 75971) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 13 
• Assistant Commissioner - Family Well-being (Job ID #: 75973) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 13 

These and other roles at the State of Minnesota can also be found at https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/search-for-jobs/  

Crossroads to Justice is the strategic plan of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, bringing a housing, racial and health justice approach for people facing homelessness in Minnesota to guide the work of state government.  

At the heart of the plan is a commitment to justice, defined in the plan as: 

HOUSING JUSTICE for people facing homelessness means that every community and government recognizes and acts on the belief that housing is an essential need, and no one should be without access to housing that is safe, decent, affordable, free of prejudice, with access to community, services and opportunities. 

RACIAL JUSTICE for people facing homelessness means there are no disparities for Indigenous, Black, Brown and poor populations facing homelessness and racism no longer inequitably limits housing options and choices. 

HEALTH JUSTICE for people facing homelessness means all people’s physical, mental, spiritual and environmental health needs are met by integrated public systems, including healthcare, public health, and public safety. 

Learn more about each of these vital components and how they shape Crossroads to Justice at: https://mich.mn.gov/crossroads-justice-strategic-plan.