St. Paul Expands Homebuyer Aid as 300-Unit Project Advances on West Side
St Paul, MN – April 3, 2026 – City leaders advanced a 300-unit housing plan and reopened expanded down-payment aid as spring development picks up.
St. Paul’s spring development season is picking up speed, with new housing proposals and expanded homebuyer assistance moving forward this week.
300-Unit Affordable Project on West Side
A major proposal on South Robert Street would bring roughly 300 new apartments to the West Side. The two five-story buildings would focus heavily on family-sized units, including two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes.
Most units are planned for households earning up to 60 percent of area median income, with a portion set aside for even lower-income families. The project is estimated at more than $100 million and would include green space, parking, and outdoor amenities.
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority was scheduled to consider tentative developer status this week, marking an early but important step in assembling financing and permits.
City Reopens and Expands Down-Payment Assistance
At the same time, St. Paul leaders have broadened eligibility for the city’s Inheritance Fund and reopened down-payment assistance this spring. The updated program allows qualifying buyers to layer forgivable loans, with enhanced support for families tied to neighborhoods impacted by past highway construction and redevelopment.
City records show millions were spent on down-payment aid over the past year, and additional housing trust dollars are expected to support new applicants in 2026. Officials say the changes are aimed at rebuilding generational wealth and increasing homeownership access.
City Systems Upgrade Underway
On the operations side, the city’s PAULIE permitting and licensing system went temporarily offline this week as staff migrate data from older platforms. The upgrade is part of ongoing investments in modernizing inspections and business services.
City leaders say the transition should improve long-term efficiency for contractors, landlords, and residents seeking permits or licenses.
Together, the housing expansion, financial assistance updates, and system upgrades reflect a busy stretch for St. Paul’s development and policy agenda as the 2026 construction season ramps up.
Sources
https://hoodline.com/2026/03/developer-pitches-300-unit-family-housing-shake-up-on-south-robert-street/
https://hoodline.com/2026/04/st-paul-sweetens-inheritance-cash-to-help-families-buy-back-what-highways-took/
https://www.stpaul.gov/
