Emerging Developers of Color Program

Affordable Housing Pre-Development and Training Grants

GMHF is accepting grant funding applications for emerging developers of color to advance affordable housing developments and training.

Due to high demand, only applications from Greater Minnesota (outside the 7-county Metro area) are being accepted.
Minneapolis / Saint Paul and 7-county Metro applications will not be reviewed at this time.

Grant funding is compatible with other GMHF financing products and capital, which are available on a pipeline basis.

Applicants are required to schedule a pre-application meeting before submitting an application.

The following application files are for use after participating in a pre-application meeting:

• Predevelopment Grant Application
• Training Grant Application

For additional information contact:

Irene Ruiz-Briseño, Emerging Developer of Color Program Manager [email protected]

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If you are a developer, landlord, entrepreneur, or small business owner of color looking for support with an acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction housing project, contact us for:

• Technical assistance
• Flexible project financing options
• Grant funding opportunities
• Training resources
• Predevelopment financing

We are aiming to form key partnerships to serve developers of color in every region of the state. Opportunities for coordination and collaboration to support developers of color:

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

The Emerging Developer of Color Program will provide significant capital and capacity supports to developers of color. The program will also offer access to debt and equity programs, and other resources that will help emerging developers overcome barriers and racial disparities and advance their affordable housing projects. Through this program GMHF will provide substantial capacity building and technical assistance to help less experienced borrowers navigate the requirements to conduct due diligence, qualify for financing, close on a property, and manage and maintain the property over time.

GMHF will proactively identify developers of color across the state through targeted outreach and engagement efforts and support them in their growth as an affordable housing developer. The program will also identify and address the challenges faced by developers of color by providing training resources, technical assistance, financial support, and project financing options. GMHF also seeks to engage new partners to support statewide efforts to reduce disparities in homeownership and other diversity, equity, and inclusion housing priorities.

Through this program GMHF seeks to achieve the following impacts:

• An increase in the racial diversity in affordable housing developer community.
• The affordable housing market will become more inclusive of developers of color, and more opportunities will be shared with developers of color.
• As more developers come to the market that reflect Minnesota’s diverse communities, the housing system will be better equipped to meet the housing needs of our diverse communities.
• Developers that are engaged in affordable housing activity will build wealth and income, improving their lives and the lives of their families.
• Developers of color will contribute to the overall goal of producing and preserving affordable homes, which Minnesota drastically needs.