Affordable Homeownership in St. Paul & Ramsey County

Homebuyer Initiated Program

Rondo Community Land Trust’s Homebuyer Initiated Program (HIP) helps income-qualified households purchase and rehabilitate homes in St. Paul and Suburban Ramsey County. Designed for households earning at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), HIP provides financial assistance and ongoing support to make affordable homeownership possible, while ensuring homes remain stable, safe, and sustainable for the long term. If you're looking to buy a single-family home or duplex and need support closing the gap between what you can afford and today’s market prices, HIP may be the right fit.

Program

How the Homebuyer Initiated Program Works

HIP guides you from application to ownership with financial support and hands-on assistance.

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Application & Orientation

Prospective buyers begin by completing a required Rondo CLT orientation and submitting a program application. This step ensures you understand the land trust model and program requirements.

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Enrollment

After completing pre-purchase homebuyer education and meeting eligibility requirements, you are enrolled in the program and eligible for HIP benefits.

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Financial Assistance

  • Enrolled participants receive two key grants:
  • Affordability Investment Grant - Paired with your mortgage to increase purchasing power and reduce upfront costs.
  • Rehabilitation Grant - Covers essential repairs and improvements to ensure structural and mechanical integrity.
  • This combined support helps close the affordability gap while preparing your home for long-term success.
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Purchase a Home of Your Choice

HIP allows you to work with a real estate agent of your choice to identify eligible homes. Rondo CLT provides guidance throughout the home search, contract negotiation, and closing process.

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Rehabilitation & Improvements

After purchase, Rondo CLT works with you to create a scope of work and coordinate necessary repairs and deferred maintenance.

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Ongoing Support

Our team remains connected after closing to provide continued guidance and ensure long-term stability and success in homeownership.

Program

How the Homebuyer Initiated Program Works

A black and white line-art icon of a clipboard with two checked boxes and one empty box.

Application & Orientation

Prospective buyers begin by completing a required Rondo CLT orientation and submitting a program application. This step ensures you understand the land trust model and program requirements.

A line icon showing a document with checkboxes next to a pen and a user avatar.

Enrollment

After completing pre-purchase homebuyer education and meeting eligibility requirements, you are enrolled in the program and eligible for HIP benefits.

A black outline icon of a hand holding a gear with a dollar sign inside, representing financial management or services.

Financial Assistance

  • Enrolled participants receive two key grants:
  • Affordability Investment Grant - Paired with your mortgage to increase purchasing power and reduce upfront costs.
  • Rehabilitation Grant - Covers essential repairs and improvements to ensure structural and mechanical integrity.
  • This combined support helps close the affordability gap while preparing your home for long-term success.
A black line icon of a storefront building with a Wi-Fi signal symbol displayed in front.

Purchase a Home of Your Choice

HIP allows you to work with a real estate agent of your choice to identify eligible homes. Rondo CLT provides guidance throughout the home search, contract negotiation, and closing process.

Line icon of one person overseeing a group of three people, with gear icons on either side, representing management or work.

Rehabilitation & Improvements

After purchase, Rondo CLT works with you to create a scope of work and coordinate necessary repairs and deferred maintenance.

A black and white line drawing of two hands shaking, symbolizing a business agreement or partnership.

Ongoing Support

Our team remains connected after closing to provide continued guidance and ensure long-term stability and success in homeownership.

eligibility

Program Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Homebuyer Initiated Program:

  • The home must be located in Ramsey or Dakota County
  • The property must be a single-family home or duplex
  • Household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) at closing
  • Buyers must work with one of Rondo CLT’s approved mortgage lenders

why us

Why Choose HIP?

The Homebuyer Initiated Program:

  • Expands access to affordable homeownership in St. Paul
  • Increases buying power through grant support
  • Covers critical repairs to protect your investment
  • Provides expert guidance throughout the process
  • Supports long-term stability and generational wealth building

HIP is part of Rondo CLT’s mission to prevent displacement, increase access to ownership, and strengthen community wealth in Ramsey County.

Approved Lenders

Approved Lending Partners

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Deangelo Ellis

Associated Bank

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Tiffany Phillips

Bell Bank

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Peggy Ryan

Bell Bank

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Kathy Luebke

U.S. Bank

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Rocio Gomez

Sunrise Bank

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Andrea Altamirano

Sunrise Bank

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AJ Kozlak

CMG Financial

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Pam Matthewson

New American Funding

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Chris Lee

CMG Financial

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Brad Dale

Guild Mortgage

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George Gershon

CMG Financial

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Carla Bland

Old National Bank

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Vee Ly Angeles

Old National Bank

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Jeremy Meyer

Topline Credit Union

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Taylor Tollette

Topline Credit Union

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Clayton Johnson

Topline Credit Union

Ready to explore affordable homeownership through HIP?

Attend an orientation session and begin your application today.