Knowledge Base

The Home Ownership Creation Program supports the development of owner-occupied housing units by either reimbursing City fees or providing an upfront subsidy to lower the final price of the home. When qualifying a proposal for reimbursement, the maximum fee reimbursement amount to be awarded is determined by eligibility and cannot exceed $20,000 per unit. Projects qualifying for upfront subsidies are not limited to maximum award amounts, but rather determined based on the independently proposed project and the discretion of the Rochester Community Development Department, with City Council approval. 

• Fees paid within three years of the application date are eligible for reimbursement at a 75% rate.
• Housing units funded through this program are restricted from renting for a period of five years after the initial sale.
• Each applicant must complete this online application.
• Applicants may contact the Community Development Department at CommunityDevelopment@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2950 if assistance is needed with completing the application.

To be eligible for funding support in this program the housing unit must be located within the City Limits. No one unit supported can exceed a sales price of $500,000.

Projects eligible for fee reimbursements are:

• New Construction or adaptive re-use with existing infrastructure services
• New Construction proposing to create a high volume of dwelling units
• Re-use of non-residential development to owner-occupied housing.