Wabasha Housing Committee
Greetings Wabasha area community members and visitors. During the spring of 2022 a local housing committee was formed during the Wabasha Port Authority strategic planning process. Action minded individuals are meeting once a month to narrow in on the community’s specific housing needs, identifying community stakeholders, and attracting both developers, and funding. The committee called W.A.T.C.H, Wabasha Area Team for Community Housing, is currently identifying land and buildings, both private and public, to repurpose local assets into a variety of housing. To learn more about the 2025/2026 50-Unit Workforce Housing Apartment Project, follow the Wabasha Herald article on the construction project here:
The committee applied for and was accepted into the Minnesota Housing Partnership’s eighth housing institute. The Partnership provides 18 months of technical assistance and an opportunity to apply for grant funds. Cathy Enerson, provides staffing for the local housing committee.
They completed a housing study available here: https://www.wabasha.org/wabasha-housing-study/
They recently released an RFP for the developer of a downtown site available here: www.wabasha.org/rfp And letters of interest for several other Wabasha sites, available here.
“The committee, the first of its kind, is dedicated to our mission and values. In summary we hope to make our quaint Rivertown, the place where all residents feel they are part of a safe, vibrant community. A community that celebrates growth together.”
Members of W.A.T.C.H committee include: Chair, Robin Gwaltney, Cathy Enerson, Jay Jewson, Jeff Sulla, Mayor Emily Durand, Kay Kay, Jim Root, Buffy Beranek, Michael Plante, Cari McCann, Dave Wodele, Wendy Busch, Caroline Gregerson.
Robin Gwaltney can be reached via email at: robin@gwaltneygroup.com
Cathy Enerson can be reached via email at: cathyenerson@gmail.com
Housing Programs Available to Wabasha Residents
- 10-year $25,000 forgivable loan for home repairs
- No match requirement
- $50,050 1 person household, $57,200 2-person household, $64,350 3-person household, $71,500 4–person household. For full list, please see the flier
- You must own the home you live in. This program can cover health and safety items like plumbing, electrical, roofing, siding, energy efficiency improvement, and ADA accessibility. It’s a great program for people living in a home with maintenance concerns
- Click here to learn more
Who may apply for this program?
To qualify, you must:
- Be the homeowner and occupy the house
- Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
- Have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county.
- For grants, be age 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan
How may funds be used?
- Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize homes or remove health and safety hazards
- Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards
How much money can I get?
- Maximum loan is $40,000
- Maximum grant is $10,000
- Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance
- What are the terms of the loan or grant?
- Loans are termed for 20 years
- Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
- Full title service is required if the total outstanding balance on Section 504 loans is greater than $25,000
- Grants have a lifetime limit of $10,000
- Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
- If applicants can repay part, but not all of the costs, applicants may be offered a loan and grant combination
Is there a deadline to apply?
- Applications for this program are accepted through the local RD office year round
- Contact Chuck Phillips with any questions at 507-331-7418 ext. 110 or email chuck.phillips@usda.gov.
First Time Homebuyer Funds are available through the Minnesota City Participation Program (MCPP). Individuals applying for First Time Homebuyer loans may qualify for up to $17,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
Contact SEMMCHRA at 1-651-565-2638 or click here to visit the website for more information.
SEMMCHRA offers a wide range of financial wellness and homebuyer services.
For more information or to register click here for HECAT Flyer-QR Code
It is the Mission of Great River Homes, Inc. to serve people with disabilities in Wabasha County through person-centered approaches.
To learn more about the living services available visit Great River Homes website at https://www.greatriverhomes.org/
Wabasha County works to help people obtain and maintain housing. To see what programs and services as well as other useful resources, visit their website at https://www.co.wabasha.mn.us/
Learn more about directing your taxes to your local community housing: Program Link
