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.
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. CEDA staff member, 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 at
cathy.enerson@cedausa.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
There is a strong demand for housing in the City of Wabasha. From 2000-2004, over 130 new housing units had been constructed. That’s an average of 27 units per year. The variety of housing is something on which the City of Wabasha also places a high priority. The 2005 City Comprehensive Plan has a goal of developing and maintaining “a balanced residential housing stock within the City that provides life-cycle housing opportunities and a range of housing options in terms of cost, location, style and affordability.” New market value and affordable single-family housing subdivisions, new luxury condominiums and financial assistance for pre-existing income qualified homeowners and renters are all programs which have assisted in the community in meeting that goal.
Development Name | Type of Housing | Number of Units | First Year of Construction |
---|---|---|---|
Eagles Landing | Luxury Condominiums | 27 Units | 2005 |
Eagle Basin 1st Addition | Affordable single-family mixed use | 54 lots/5 lots (10 units) | 2005 |
Kreyes 3rd Addition | Market rate single-family mixed use | 13 lots/18 Units | 2004 |
Country Sunshine Est. | One half acre single-family detached housing | 7 lots | 2004 |
Danckwart Sub. | Market Rate single-family detached housing | 5 lots | 2003 |
Kreyes 2nd Add. | Market rate single-family mixed use (5 det., 6 att.) | 6 lots/8 units | 2002 |
Miller Townhouses | Single-family attached townhouses | 6 units | 2001 |
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