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Document Update ‐ FHA DPA Commitment Form
Minnesota Housing has revised page 2 of the FHA DPA Commitment Form. This documentation certifies that the downpayment loan is from an acceptable source, as defined by federal guidelines.
If you use our commitment system to generate forms, the newest version of the form will populate when you order new documents. If you use your own system to generate forms, the updated FHA Commitment Form (version date 1/7/2026) must be used for new commitments on or after January 26, 2026.
Reminder: FHA Refinance Maximum Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio
FHA is an allowable refinance option with Minnesota Housing's Step Up program. Minnesota Housing will consider a subordination request of an existing Minnesota Housing DPA loan. Per FHA underwriting guidelines:
- The maximum CLTV ratio for a rate and term refinance is 97.75%
- There is no maximum CLTV for an FHA Streamline Refinance
If you have further questions, please reach out to the Partner Solutions Team for assistance.
Homebuyer Education Courses and Requirements
Are all borrowers required to complete one of the approved courses?
No! If all borrowers are first-time homebuyers, at least one must complete a homebuyer education course before closing on Start Up and Step Up.
Is Fannie Mae HomeView® an acceptable Homebuyer Education Course?
No! This is not an approved Homebuyer Education Course for Minnesota Housing Start Up or Step Up loans.
If using DU or a Fannie Mae loan product, can a borrower still take the Freddie Mac CreditSmart Homebuyer U® education course?
Yes! Any of the following courses are approved for all our programs regardless of the AUS. If the course is not listed, it is not acceptable.
The approved homebuyer education courses are:
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2026 Monthly Training Webinars
Join Minnesota Housing‘s webinar training series designed to help you successfully originate our loans. This instructor led training lays out the basics of our Start Up, Step Up, and Downpayment and Closing Cost Loans. You’ll learn how they work, what eligibility criteria must be met as well as how to access tools and resources. Not to mention it’s a great opportunity to ask questions!
Monthly Update & Hot Topics Call
The Monthly Update & Hot Topics Call is for our lending and other community partners. During these calls we review recent Minnesota Housing updates and important information to help you originate and process our loans. Lenders are welcome to submit questions or topics to discuss on the call. This is a great venue to have more in-depth discussion on advanced topics. If you are a consumer, please visit www.mnhousing.gov to learn more about the programs we offer, the resources available to you and to find a participating lender.
Register for the 2026 calls.
When you register, you will be signed up for all sessions in the series but can attend the sessions that work for you. Most calls occur on the second Thursday of the month from 9-10 a.m. Central time.
2026 Schedule:
- February 12
- March 12
- April 9
- May 14
- June 11
- July 9
- August 13
- September 10
- October 8
- November 12
- December 10
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 2024, we distributed $1.96 billion in resources and served 73,650 households. Visit our website to learn more.
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