Program to advise residents on foreclosure prevention, provide limited financial assistance
HASTINGS, MN – January 27, 2022 – Dakota County announced today that it is partnering with the Minnesota Homeownership Center to create and administer the Dakota Homeownership Preservation Program (DHPP). DHPP will provide foreclosure prevention advising to county homeowners and limited financial assistance under certain circumstances.
“Dakota County is utilizing special federal Community Development Block Grant funding (CDBG-CV) to provide this direct support for homeowners who are having trouble paying their bills,” said Board Chair Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord. “We hope these additional resources will help stabilize families to ensure their future success.”
The Minnesota Homeownership Center has been helping Minnesotans achieve sustainable homeownership and prevent foreclosure for more than 25 years, with a focus on serving those facing the greatest barriers to homeownership: lower income households and communities of color. The Center will partner with several community-based organizations to deliver culturally responsive education and advising to Dakota County homeowners, including Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES), Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA), LSS Financial Counseling, Neighborhood Development Alliance, NeighborWorks Home Partners and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
“The Minnesota Homeownership Center is proud to be partnering with Dakota County in preserving at-risk homeownership during this uneven economic recovery,” said Julie Gugin, Center president. “Since 2008, the Center and its network partner organizations, including the Dakota County CDA, have helped more than 38,000 Minnesota households avoid foreclosure. We’re committed to continuing this vital work, and to making sure at-risk homeowners know there’s free help available to navigate their situation.”
Eligible applicants will be referred to a foreclosure prevention advisor with a Minnesota Homeownership Center network partner. Foreclosure prevention advising is required to be eligible for any potential financial assistance, which is being offered for past-due bills under specific conditions. The maximum amount available to any household through DHPP is $35,000. Payments will be made directly to the entity that is owed the funds.
Dakota County homeowners can learn more and apply to the program online at DakotaHPP.com, or by calling 651-236-8952.
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About Minnesota Homeownership Center
The Minnesota Homeownership Center promotes and advances successful homeownership in Minnesota with an emphasis on serving those facing the greatest barriers to homeownership: lower income households and communities of color. We link individuals, homeownership advisors and industry stakeholders. We support community-based organizations with the structure and funding to develop and deliver culturally responsive homeownership education and advising. And we collaborate and lead the development of innovative homeownership programming. We believe equitable access to homeownership is essential to strong communities and creates opportunities for generations to come. Minnesota Homeownership Center is on the web at HOCMN.org and on Facebook at HOCMN.