The Homeownership Assistance Fund (HAF) in Hennepin County, Minnesota, supports first-time homebuyers, particularly those disproportionately affected by systemic barriers to homeownership. Administered by NeighborWorks Home Partners, the program provides down payment assistance and financing for associated homebuying costs. It began in April 2024 and continues to operate as an ongoing initiative. Interested individuals can learn more by contacting NeighborWorks at hello@nwhomepartners.org or by phone at 651-292-8710.

This fund builds on the success of a 2020 pilot program by the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA), which supported 20 residents in purchasing homes, 85% of whom identified as African American. The pilot highlighted the need for targeted assistance and informed subsequent strategies, including a partnership study with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. The study emphasized removing income-based barriers and increasing homeownership opportunities for BIPOC renters with incomes above 50% of the area median income (AMI).

In 2021, Hennepin County allocated $46 million in pandemic recovery funding for equitable housing strategies, including $3.3 million specifically for homebuyer assistance programs. These efforts tripled the number of financed homeownership units in 2022 compared to previous years. Building on these successes, HCHRA established its first designated homeownership fund in 2023, marking its largest annual investment in addressing systemic barriers to homeownership.

The program's primary goal is to reduce disparities by providing capital funding and targeted assistance. It aligns with broader county initiatives to promote equity and housing stability, focusing on communities historically underrepresented in homeownership. Further program details and eligibility criteria can be found through NeighborWorks Home Partners or Hennepin County's housing division at housing@hennepin.us.