See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Chaska, MN (2026)
Chaska is the county seat of Carver County, set in the southwest Twin Cities metro along the Minnesota River, with a population of about 28,706 and a median home price near $440,000. The City of Chaska does not fund a city-level down payment assistance program of its own, but Carver County offers two strong tools administered through the Carver County CDA right in Chaska. The Carver County CDA Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program provides up to 25% of the purchase price (capped at $50,000) as a forgivable second mortgage that is fully forgiven after 20 years; pre-applications are currently closed due to overwhelming demand, so check back with the CDA for reopening. The Carver County Community Land Trust offers permanently affordable homes (currently 34 properties across 6 communities) for buyers at or below 80% AMI, with a maximum purchase price of $415,000. On top of those, Minnesota Housing layers in a Deferred Payment Loan up to $12,500, a Monthly Payment Loan up to $18,000, and the First-Generation Homebuyer Loan up to $35,000. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity also serves Carver County. Stacked together, these can put $40,000 to $90,000 of assistance toward a purchase here.
County Programs in Carver County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carver County CDA Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 25% of purchase price, not to exceed $50,000 | Yes | View → |
| Carver County Community Land Trust | Deferred Loan | Subsidized purchase price on permanently affordable CLT homes; subsidy varies by home and household | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 25% of purchase price, not to exceed $50,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Subsidized purchase price on permanently affordable CLT homes; subsidy varies by home and household
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
- 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
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Carver County CDA programs and most state programs require first-time homebuyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years), household income at or below program AMI thresholds, and the purchase of a primary residence in Carver County.
Step 2: Complete a Home Stretch financial education class. The Carver County CDA, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, and the Minnesota Homeownership Center all offer or accept qualifying courses. The Home Stretch class is required before receiving a Carver County CDA reservation.
Step 3: Watch the Carver County CDA DPA Program for reopening. Pre-applications are currently closed due to overwhelming demand. Contact Melodie Bridgeman at 952-556-2778 or melodieb@carvercda.org for updates. When open, plan for a $100 application fee plus full underwriting.
Step 4: Explore Carver County Community Land Trust homes if you fit the household income limit (at or below 80% AMI). The CCCLT manages 34 permanently affordable homes across Carver County. Email ccclt@carvercda.org for current availability.
Step 5: Get pre-approved with a Minnesota Housing participating lender to layer the Start Up first mortgage with one of the state DPA loans (Deferred Payment, Monthly Payment, or First-Generation).
Step 6: Find a home within program limits. The Carver County CDA DPA caps the purchase price at $415,000. CLT homes are priced below market via the appraisal-based formula.
Step 7: Submit your full application package and close. The Carver County CDA loan is fully forgiven after 20 years (5% per year) of owner-occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Chaska?+−
Is the Carver County CDA DPA program currently accepting applications?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price in Chaska programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How does the Carver County Community Land Trust work?+−
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