See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 4, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Blaine, MN (2026)
Blaine is a fast-growing northern Twin Cities suburb spanning Anoka and Ramsey counties, sitting roughly 15 miles north of downtown Minneapolis. The median home price in Blaine is around $415,000. Buyers here have one of the strongest stacks of city-level support in the metro: the Blaine City Down Payment Assistance Loan offers up to $10,000 for current Blaine residents or employees (or $5,000 for other first-time buyers) administered through the Center for Energy and Environment, and the separate Blaine Welcome Home Loan from the Blaine EDA provides a below-market rate first mortgage that can be combined with the city DPA. Anoka County itself does not currently fund a county-wide DPA program. State programs from Minnesota Housing add $11,500-$18,000 in DPA, and metro-wide nonprofit programs like Community Keys Plus Impact (up to $25,000) and the NeighborWorks Welcome Home Down Payment Assistance (up to $50,000) cover Anoka County. Combining city, state, and nonprofit assistance, qualified Blaine buyers can frequently assemble well over $40,000 in combined help.
City Programs in Blaine
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaine City Down Payment Assistance Loan | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 for current Blaine residents or employees; up to $5,000 for all other first-time homebuyers | Yes | View → |
| Blaine Welcome Home Loan | Repayable Loan | Below-market interest rate first mortgage; can be combined with the Blaine City Down Payment Assistance Loan and First-Generation DPA | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 for current Blaine residents or employees; up to $5,000 for all other first-time homebuyers
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market interest rate first mortgage; can be combined with the Blaine City Down Payment Assistance Loan and First-Generation DPA
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Minnesota
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program | Deferred Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Deferred Payment Loan | Deferred Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Monthly Payment Loan | Repayable Loan | — | No | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Start Up Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | First mortgage with as little as 3% down | Yes | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Step Up Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | First mortgage; can also be used to refinance | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- First mortgage with as little as 3% down
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- First mortgage; can also be used to refinance
- First-time only:
- No
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Keys Plus Impact Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | — | No | View → |
| Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Repayable Loan | Affordable mortgage with monthly payments at or below 30% of household income; option to use TruePath Mortgage on the open market or purchase a Habitat-built or Habitat-renovated home | No | View → |
| Welcome Home Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Varies by household need | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with monthly payments at or below 30% of household income; option to use TruePath Mortgage on the open market or purchase a Habitat-built or Habitat-renovated home
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Varies by household need
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Blaine City DPA Loan and Blaine Welcome Home Loan both require first-time-buyer status (no homeownership in the last 3 years). The Welcome Home Loan adds a credit score minimum of 620 and a household income cap at or below 80% AMI.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved course is required by Blaine's programs and most Minnesota Housing assistance.
Step 3: Apply through the Center for Energy and Environment for the Blaine DPA Loan. Current Blaine residents and employees qualify for up to $10,000; all other first-time buyers qualify for up to $5,000. Borrowers must contribute at least 1% of the purchase price from their own funds.
Step 4: Contact Refined Lending for the Blaine Welcome Home Loan, the Blaine EDA's below-market first mortgage that can stack with the Blaine City DPA.
Step 5: For additional assistance, contact NeighborWorks Home Partners at 651-292-8710 about Community Keys Plus Impact (up to $25,000) and Welcome Home Down Payment Assistance (up to $50,000), both of which serve Anoka County. Consider also the MMCDC First-Generation Down Payment Assistance if you qualify.
Step 6: Find a home in Blaine within the $450,000 purchase price limit, submit complete applications to all stacked programs, and close.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Blaine?+−
What is the difference between the Blaine Welcome Home Loan and the NeighborWorks Welcome Home program?+−
Do I have to be a current Blaine resident?+−
What is the maximum home price in Blaine?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
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