Knowledge Base

The City of Rochester partners with the Olmsted County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (OCHRA) to offer a rehabilitation loan program for owner-occupied housing units in Rochester. The program provides homeowners with a 0% interest loan of up to $24,999 to address code deficiencies, make energy-efficiency improvements, enhance accessibility, and improve overall livability. This loan has a 30-year term and must be repaid at the end of the 30-year period, upon the sale of the home, or if the property is no longer the homeowner's primary residence.

This program currently has a waitlist. To be added to the waitlist, please complete the online waitlist form.

If you believe your home needs emergency repairs, please reach out directly to City staff at 507-328-2311 or communitydevelopment@rochestermn.gov. Examples of emergency repairs include burst pipes or major leaks, a broken furnace or HVAC system during extreme weather, and severe roof damage, among others.

Property Eligibility:

• The applicant must be the owner of the property to be rehabilitated and must have held title to the property for at least 6 months prior to the date of application.
• The property must be used for residential purposes and must contain no more than two dwelling units, one of them being owner-occupied.
• The property must be classified as homesteaded by the Olmsted County Assessor’s Office.
• Eligible properties in the 100-year flood plain zone must carry flood insurance that will cover the cost of the improvements that are made to the property through the rehabilitation loan program for the remaining economic life of the improvements.
• Property taxes and city utility bills must be current at the time of application.
• The combined indebtedness secured by the property and the estimated cost of rehabilitation cannot exceed 110% of the property’s value after rehabilitation.
• The total cost of the rehabilitation shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the dwelling’s estimated market value as determined by the County Assessor.