Emerging Developers Program

Our Emerging Developers Program invests in local developer capacity to produce the homes Minnesotans need through a suite of services:

• Technical Assistance: We provide guidance for developers evaluating real estate development and funding opportunities, as well as post-closing support.
• Education and Training: Our New Property Owner Seminar and Small NOAH Pro Forma Training provide practical information tailored specifically for small property owners.
• Grantmaking: We offer direct financial assistance to emerging developers to enhance their capacity and ability to carry out affordable housing activities.

We support developers to navigate industry requirements, conduct due diligence, and qualify for financing. We help developers to acquire, manage, and maintain affordable housing developments with support from staff and partners.

This program works with developers at three key stages (aspiring, emerging, and experienced) and provides different resources for each stage. Get started with us by booking an introductory meeting.

Aspiring Developers

Aspiring developers are those who are looking to obtain the knowledge necessary to break into the affordable housing industry. Consider taking advantage of one of the training opportunities listed below as a first step.

Emerging Developers

Emerging developers have some experience and education in affordable housing and are looking to scale up to larger projects. If you have completed a development with less than 50 units and are looking to do more, build your capacity with us by requesting technical assistance, learning more about predevelopment grants, reviewing our developer resources, or joining an upcoming training opportunity.

Experienced Developers

Experienced developers have built an affordable housing portfolio and are looking for additional support to add more projects. We support project-specific technical assistance and grantmaking, and there may be financing available through our lending team.

GMHF Small NOAH Multifamily Pro Forma Training

This workshop provides information on how to complete a pro forma, and evaluate multifamily rental properties as potential investment opportunities. Knowing how to complete a pro forma can assist you when seeking funding for properties. Whether you’re just starting out or have some experience in the industry, this information can help support your journey as a developer.

New Property Owner Seminar

This day-long seminar is led by industry experts from Minnesota Multi-Housing Association (MHA) who provide information and training for new and prospective owner-operators of multifamily rental properties. Topics covered include fair housing essentials, property management in Minnesota, budgeting, and preventative maintenance. Gain the practical knowledge and best practices needed to be successful as a new property owner, as well as space to connect with others in the industry.

Other Training Opportunities

Check out more training for emerging developers offered by other organizations in the affordable housing ecosystem:

• ULI Minnesota Building a Foundation
• ULI Minnesota Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI)
• Ramsey County Emerging and Diverse Developers (EDD) Program
• City of Minneapolis Developers Technical Assistance Program (DTAP)
• Grow America Training and Professional Education
• ICIC Building For Growth
• NAHREP Scaling Your Real Estate Investment
• NeighborWorks Training and Professional Development
• NovocoTraining
• ULI Learning Courses
• Hamline University Leadership in Affordable Housing Certificate
• Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities Program
• Project Destined Affordable Housing Finance & Underwriting Certificate Program

Grants may be available for developers to cover predevelopment expenses associated with a specific project in greater Minnesota. Funding may also be available to cover training and educational expenses that will help build your capacity as a developer. Applications are reviewed and funded on a rolling basis, year-round. Book your required pre-application meeting with the program manager to discuss funding options.

If your organization shares our vision of increasing the number of emerging developers across the affordable housing ecosystem, contact us to discuss partnership. We have formed key partnerships to serve developers from every region of Minnesota through coordination and collaboration by:

• Aligning and coordinating our efforts with existing capacity building programs
• Leveraging resources and organizational strengths for greater impact
• Advancing policy and systems change in the industry
• Increasing efficiency and effectiveness of existing programs
• Engaging local expertise to implement solutions to local housing challenges