Home Remodeling Assistance

The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) offers a variety of loan programs aimed to promote energy efficiency to strengthen the economy while improving the environment. Below are a few examples of the programs they offer.

For more information on any of the programs, contact the CEE Lending Center at 612.335.5884 or visit Center for Energy and Environment's website.

Low-interest home improvement loan program

CEE's Home Improvement Loan Program can be used for most interior and exterior home improvement projects, such as roof replacement, new windows and kitchen or bath remodeling. CEE administers the Minnesota Housing fix up fund home improvement loan. Loan amounts range from $2,000 to $75,000. The maximum income limit $175,400.

Move Up in the Park deferred loan program

The Move Up in the Park deferred loan program is designed to help residents desiring a larger home stay in St. Louis Park. If you are planning to add new living space to your home, this loan can cover up to 25% of project costs with a maximum loan of $35,000 and 0% interest. Income limits do apply. No payment is required until the sale of the home, and the loan will be forgiven if the borrower remains in the home for 30 years.

Contact CEE at 612.335.5884 for more information.

Note: You must be adding living space by physically adding on to your home, such as a bump out or bump up. A basement or attic remodel of existing spaces does not qualify.

Home energy loan

The Home Energy Loan Program is available for home improvements that increase energy efficiency, such as adding insulation, replacing windows or replacing a furnace.

Deferred loan program

Hennepin County offers deferred loans up to $30,000 for repairs that address basic safety, maintenance and health concerns, as well as home improvements. Loans are offered at 0% interest and are deferred until the sale of the home or are forgiven after 15 years. Household income limits apply. Income limits are based on household size (one person $72,950, two person $83,400, three person $93,800, four person $104,200).

For more information on this loan program and other county programs for home health hazards or ramps, including accessibility ramps, visit Hennepin County Home Repair Maintenance Loans or call 612.543.4182.

St. Louis Park deferred loan program

The St. Louis Park deferred loan is administered by the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE). About the loan: loan amounts from $2,000 to $30,000, no monthly payments, deferred for 20 years. Work may not begin until after the loan is closed. Property value cannot exceed $445,000 based on the most recent estimated property tax value. Income limits apply; household income cannot exceed 80% of the area median income (AMI).

Visit CEE's website or call 612.335.5884 for complete eligibility and loan details.

The program is subject to the availability of funds. CEE removes the down payment assistance program from their website when funds are no longer available.

Emergency Repair Program

The city offers emergency repair grants for households below 50% of the area median income to make immediate emergency repairs such as furnace replacement, roof repair, plumbing or electrical emergencies, etc. This program is administered by Sustainable Resources Center (SRC). For more information, contact SRC at 612.872.3280. Income limits are based on household size.

Townhome and condominium associations that need help financing improvements to common areas can petition the City of St. Louis Park to create a housing improvement area (HIA). The HIA enables the city to provide a low-interest loan that is repaid over a 10- to 15-year period through fees paid by the homeowners with their real estate taxes. The association must show that it is unable to obtain a loan through conventional sources.

For more information, contact Marney Olson at molson@stlouisparkmn.gov.

Climate Champions

Climate Champions is the city's energy efficiency assistance, cost share and recognition program. Residents receive a free or reduced cost whole-building energy assessment through the Home Energy Squad, assistance with navigating upgrades, partial reimbursement from the city for energy efficiency projects and recognition for their efforts.

Contact Ellie Rabine, sustainability specialist, at erabine@stlouisparkmn.gov or 952.924.2131 to get started.

Home Energy Squad

Sign up for a Home Energy Squad visit to understand your home's energy use and discover opportunities for savings. The first step is a free virtual visit, followed by an in-home visit available at a discounted rate from the City of St. Louis Park. The team of trusted energy consultants will identify places your home is losing energy, install materials like LED lightbulbs to help you start saving and assist with next steps, such as finding contractors or rebates. In order to qualify for the city's "Climate Champions for Homes" cost share program, you must receive or have received a Home Energy Squad "Planner" visit within the past 36 months.

Renters and owners of single-family, duplex, triplex and fourplex homes are eligible. Sign up online for an energy squad visit or call 651.328.6220.

Guide to managing high energy bills

Check out our guide to managing high energy bills(PDF, 887KB) to see what programs are available to help with high or difficult to pay energy bills.

The city partners with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to make remodeling advisor services available to St. Louis Park homeowners. Their experienced remodeling advisors will come to your home to discuss your remodeling ideas at no charge. They can answer questions about renovating existing space or building an addition and contractor bids. Limit one home remodeling advisor visit per household.

To schedule your appointment, contact CEE at 612.335.5856.

St. Louis Park makes it easy for residents looking to do home additions to consult with an architect. The city, in partnership with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Minnesota, will cover most of the two-hour consultation cost. Homeowners pay only $50 and may choose to meet with one of the participating architects. A consultation can help ensure that your new addition fits seamlessly with the style of your existing home and is compatible with your neighborhood.

Limit one architectural design visit per household

For more information, read 20 questions to ask when working with an architect(PDF, 30KB).

To help divert waste from landfills, Hennepin County has grants available to homeowners and developers to deconstruct buildings to salvage building materials rather than demolish them.

Opportunities to reuse and recycle building materials

Many building materials have the potential to be salvaged and reused or recycled. In fact, about 85% of the materials in a typical demolition or remodeling project could be salvaged and kept out of landfills. But currently, only about 30% of building materials are reused or recycled. Deconstruction involves carefully dismantling buildings to salvage materials for reuse. Commonly salvaged building materials include old growth lumber, doors, flooring, cabinets and fixtures. Deconstruction provides numerous environmental and social benefits compared to standard demolition. Deconstruction prevents usable materials from going to the landfill, makes building materials available to the community, provides jobs, and supports local reuse retailers.

Grants help offset added time and labor costs

Additional time and labor costs involved with deconstruction can be deterrents to utilizing this technique. The county's grants strive to make deconstruction a more affordable option by offering up to $5,000 per deconstruction project to offset the additional costs. Grants are available for demolition or renovation projects that are 500 square feet or larger on structures built prior to 1970. Projects must meet material salvage requirements.

To learn more about the grants, including eligibility and requirements, visit Hennepin County's website.

When you are making home improvements, make sure the water meter and meter interface unit (MIU) remain accessible after the work is complete, and that the wiring between the meter and MIU is not damaged. Damage to these items may cause incorrect water meter readings.

Things you should not do

• Put sheetrock over the wiring in basements. Screws may accidentally be run over the wire, either pinching it or breaking the wire completely.
• Cover water meter or MIU with sheetrock.
• When re-siding your home, do not cut the MIU wire or throw the MIU away. Full replacement costs will be charged for replacing MIUs.

Things you should do

• Contact public works at 952.924.2562 if you are re-siding your home (permit required). Public works staff can then remove the MIU and reinstall it after the siding work is complete. The siding company will need to drill a half-inch hole where the existing MIU is mounted so the MIU wire can be reconnected and the unit can be mounted in the same location

If you have any additional questions, contact the public works department at 952.924.2562.