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Reminder: Security Enhancement Coming Soon
Mortgage Cadence (the Minnesota Housing commitment system vendor) announced that effective January 15, 2025, all users must have updated TLS Ciphers for Chrome, Firefox and Edge browsers. TLS Ciphers are sets of algorithms that secure network connections using Transport Layer Security (TLS). If your TLS Ciphers are not upgraded on or before January 15, you may experience difficulty accessing the Minnesota Housing commitment system. Please share the guidance from Mortgage Cadence with your IT Department so TLS Cipher upgrades can be implemented before January 15.
Guidance from Mortgage Cadence:
We have added the TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 ciphers listed below, offering enhanced security and performance. Additionally, we will be removing older, less secure ciphers, including those used with TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2.
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TLS1.3-CHACHA20-POLY1305-SHA256
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TLS1.3
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TLS1.3-AES256-GCM-SHA384
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TLS1.3
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TLS1.3-AES128-GCM-SHA256
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TLS1.3
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TLS1.2-ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384
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TLS1.2
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TLS1.2-ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256
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TLS1.2
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TLS1.2-ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384
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TLS1.2
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TLS1.2-ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256
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TLS1.2
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TLS1.2-DHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA382
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TLS1.2
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How Does This Affect You?
Most modern browsers and applications already support TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3, so you should not experience any disruptions. However, if you are using outdated software that does not support these protocols, you may need to update your system to ensure secure access to our services.
What Do You Need to Do?
We recommend verifying that your browser or integration software supports TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3. As mentioned above, we have provided a list of cipher suites, so please ensure that compatible cipher suites are configured on your end. This will ensure continued, seamless access to our application.
As long as your system supports at least one of the ciphers from our list, you do not need to make any changes. If you are using older versions, we recommend updating to avoid potential disruptions. Additionally, please inform your IT department to update the cipher suites on your end.
Effective Date:
These changes will take effect on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. We encourage you to verify your systems before this date.
Reminder: First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program is Closed
The Minnesota Housing First-Generation Homebuyer Loan funds have been exhausted and the program is now closed. We are unable to accept any more First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Commitment Request forms. If you’d like to explore additional DPA resources that may be available for your clients, check out our other Homeownership Programs on our website and the Minnesota Homeownership Center website. There are several first-generation homebuyer programs still available, such as the First-Generation Homebuyers Community Down Payment Assistance Fund.
Minnesota Housing would like to thank all our partners for participating in the Minnesota Housing’s First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program and contributing to its success!
Power of Attorney Requirements
In almost all cases, Start Up borrowers must attend their closing.
Power of Attorney (POA) usage information and guidance is found on the U.S. Bank - HFA Division AllRegs website.
- POA for a Step Up loan for either the buyer or seller is acceptable.
- POA is acceptable for the seller on a Start Up loan.
- POA for a Start Up loan borrower – A POA cannot be used on the Borrower Affidavit or First-Generation Homebuyer Affidavit unless prior approval is obtained from Minnesota Housing. The borrower can eSign the Borrower Affidavit up to one week prior to the closing. When that is not possible because of circumstances outside of their control (for example, illness, incarceration, overseas military deployment), Minnesota Housing prior approval will be required to use a POA on the Borrower Affidavit.
- If Minnesota Housing provides a prior approval for a POA for a Start Up borrower, Minnesota Housing will provide further instruction on the signing of the Borrower Affidavit.
- The First-Generation Homebuyer Affidavit can be pre-signed physically or electronically at any time. If your borrower can’t sign the document, please reach out to the Partner Solutions Team for further guidance.
- A Co-signer on a Start Up or Step Up loan is not a Minnesota Housing borrower
- Co-signers sign the first mortgage note and downpayment loan note
- Follow the underlying product (Fannie, Freddie, FHA, VA, RD) guidelines for co-signer POA, if applicable
- Co-signers on Start Up loans should not sign any bond documents
For further questions, please reach out to the Partner Solutions Team.
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2025 Monthly Training Webinars
Join Minnesota Housing for our monthly webinar series. These trainings lay out the basics of Start Up, Step Up, and our three Downpayment and Closing Cost loan options. These webinars also provide tips and best practices to help you successfully originate and close Minnesota Housing loans.
Questions?
You can reach the Partner Solutions Team at 651.296.8215 or 800.710.8871 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on business days.
About Minnesota Housing
Minnesota Housing, the state’s housing finance agency, works to provide access to safe, stable and accessible housing Minnesotans can afford in a community of their choice. In 2023, the Agency distributed $1.85 billion in resources and served 69,500 households. Visit our website to learn more.
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