If you've been struggling to save for a down payment, worried about where your family would stay in an emergency, or noticed abandoned houses in your neighborhood—Burnsville just announced some programs you'll want to know about.

On November 12th, the city's Economic Development Commission got a detailed look at how Burnsville plans to spend over $1 million in state housing funds. The goal? Make it easier for regular people to buy homes, help families in crisis, and clean up neglected properties.

Here's what's coming:

The Burnsville Home Start Program

What it is: The city will give you up to $41,000 to help with your down payment when buying a home in Burnsville.

Who can get it: Anyone earning 80% or less of the area's median income. That means if you're a family of four making around $100,000 or less, you might qualify. And here's the cool part—you don't have to be a first-time buyer.

How it works:

The math: Let's say you're buying a $400,000 home. Normally you'd need $80,000 for a 20% down payment. With this program, the city covers $41,000, and you'd need to come up with $43,000 (the other $39,000 plus your required 1%, which is $4,000).

When it starts: Applications open in early 2026, and it's first-come, first-served.

The catch: If you sell the house before 30 years, you'll need to repay the $41,000 plus a small $1,100 fee. But if you stay put for three decades, it's completely free money.

Emergency Housing Vouchers

What it is: If your family suddenly has no safe place to stay—your furnace died in winter, there was a fire, you're fleeing domestic violence, or your car broke down and you've been living in it—the city will put you up in a hotel while you figure things out.

Who identified this need: Burnsville's firefighters, police officers, and school staff. They were seeing families in crisis with literally nowhere to go, and it was breaking their hearts.

How it works:

Who qualifies: Families who are already enrolled in government assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps), WIC, or energy assistance. You'll fill out a simple form confirming you're enrolled.

Why this matters: The school district alone sees 20-25 families per year who desperately need this kind of help. That's 20-25 families who might otherwise be sleeping in their cars during a Minnesota winter.

The budget: The city is setting aside $40,000 for this program, which should help about 6-10 families per year. If more families need help, the city council said they'd add more money.

The Productive Properties Program

What it is: You know those houses in your neighborhood that have been sitting empty for years? Windows broken, yard overgrown, making everyone's property values drop? Burnsville is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to buy them, fix them up, and sell them to families who need affordable housing.

Why this is genius: It solves two problems at once—gets rid of blight AND creates affordable homes.

How it works:

The money part: The city is putting up $500,000, but they're not losing all that money. When Habitat sells the renovated house, they pay the city back everything except $100,000. So the city's real investment is $100,000 per house, and that $500,000 can be used again and again.

The impact: If you live near one of these abandoned houses, you know how much it drags down the whole block. This program turns a neighborhood problem into a neighborhood asset.

Timeline: Don't expect this to happen overnight. The first house probably won't be done until late 2026. Renovating a seriously neglected house takes time to do right.

In 2023, the Minnesota legislature created a new funding source called Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA). It's funded by a portion of sales tax, and every city in the metro gets a share to use for affordable housing.

Burnsville thought they'd get $800,000 in 2025. They actually got $1.14 million. That's why they can do all three of these programs.

The city has to spend this money within a few years, or give it back to the state. So they're motivated to get these programs running and helping people as quickly as possible.

January 2026: City finalizes contracts with Habitat for Humanity, Center for Energy and Environment (who manages the down payment loans), and local hotels.

Early 2026: Marketing campaign launches. You'll start seeing information about these programs at city buildings, online, through the schools, and in the community.

Spring 2026: Programs officially launch. People can start applying for down payment assistance, emergency vouchers become available, and Habitat starts reaching out to property owners.

Throughout 2026: City staff will monitor how it's going and make adjustments. If something isn't working, they'll fix it.

Burnsville is trying something different. Instead of just talking about affordable housing, they're putting real money into three creative solutions:

Will it work? We'll find out over the next year or two. But at least Burnsville is trying to do something about a problem that affects thousands of families.

Q: I make too much money for government assistance, but I still can't afford a down payment. Can I still apply for the $41,000?

A: If you're at 80% or below of area median income, yes. For a family of four, that's roughly $100,000 per year or less. You don't need to be on government assistance for the down payment program.

Q: What if I get the $41,000 and then lose my job and have to sell the house?

A: You'd need to pay back the $41,000 from whatever profit you make on the sale. If the house is underwater (worth less than you owe), the city would work with you, but that's why they have underwriting requirements—to make sure you can afford the house in the first place.

Q: For the emergency vouchers, what if 14 days isn't enough to find a new place?

A: Right now, the program is designed as bridge housing—just enough time to make a plan, connect with family, or coordinate with other services. If there's a lot of demand for extensions, the city might adjust the policy.

Q: Can I nominate a house in my neighborhood for the Productive Properties program?

A: Yes! Contact the city's Neighborhood Services department. They're building a list of potential properties.

Q: When can I apply?

A: Applications for the down payment assistance should open in early 2026. Keep an eye on the city website or call (952) 895-4400 for updates.