Community Development : Housing Rehab Programs

Semcac offers several programs to assist homeowners and rental property owners to fix up their home or property. To determine if you qualify and learn more about each program, please call Cindy or Vonda at (507) 864-7741.

Small Cities Development Program

Semcac has partnered with local governments and housing & redevelopment authorities to administer Small Cities Development Program projects in several Southeast Minnesota communities. These projects offer no interest, deferred loans for eligible homeowners to make necessary home repairs. A homeowner could use the loan funds for general improvements, including the foundation, siding, gutters, electrical system, plumbing or heating system. Lead assessment and abatement is also a special focus, especially for households with young children. Other state and local funds are leveraged to help with additional improvements. Current projects for which Semcac is coordinating housing rehab work include the following:

• Albert Lea—owner-occupied housing rehab
• Caledonia—owner-occupied housing rehab
• Canton—owner-occupied housing rehab
• Houston - owner-occupied housing rehab
• Spring Grove - owner-occupied housing rehab
• Peterson—owner-occupied housing rehab
• Whalan—owner-occupied housing rehab

Loan Programs for Homeowners

Fix-Up Fund Loan Program
This Minnesota Housing Finance Agency loan program is available for the rehabilitation or renovation of an owner-occupied home. Households can borrow up to $35,000 at a below market interest rate. The maximum household income limit for this program is $96,500.

Rehab Loan Program
This Minnesota Housing Finance Agency loan program helps low-income homeowners make their homes more livable, accessible, and energy efficient. Eligible improvements include plumbing, electrical wiring, roofing, heating, accessibility improvements, and remedy of any defect preventing the structure from meeting code requirements. This loan places a 15-year mortgage on the property and is forgivable after 15 years only if it has remained the owner's principal place of residence. For mobile homes in a mobile home park, the term of the loan is 10 years.

Fair Housing Act

Semcac's Community Development Department does business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law (The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988). It is illegal to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin

• In the sale or rental of housing or residental lots;
• In advertising the sale or rental of housing;
• In the financing of housing;
• In the appraisal of housing; and
• In the provision of real estate brokerage services.
• Blockbusting is also illegal.

Anyone who feels he or she has been discriminated against should file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): 1-800-669-9777 (toll free) or 1-800-927-9275 (TTY). Click here for more Fair Housing information from HUD.