Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

• Quick Start: More than 10 million dollars in Quick Start loans have been allocated to help residents repair flood-damaged houses. Under the program, homeowners are each eligible for up to $46,000 in state assistance for forgivable, no-interest loans. More than 350 loans have been approved and many more are in the process of being approved. To make Quick Start loans easier and more accessible, Minnesota Housing has waived income limits and extended the application deadline to March 14. Quick Start Loans by County as of July 7, 2008.
  

• The agency also committed $1 million for rental projects and $250,000 in grants for flood-related housing needs not covered by other state and federal programs.
   
• The agency has transferred $2 million to the Department of Natural Resources to help match their $2 million in buying out property in the flood plain.
   
• The agency has transferred $300,000 to the Department of Health for well and air quality testing. The Agency has also transferred $135,000 to the counties to complete their Federal Disaster Mitigation Plans.

Contacts:
Application assistance is provided by Semcac.

• Semcac Preston:
  108 Fillmore Place, Preston.
  Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday.
  Call 507-765-2761 for more information.
  Contact is Lynn Mensink.
   
• Semcac Rushford (temporary):
  111 Mill Street (right on Highway 43)
  Hours: 9:00 am to Noon Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday;
               2:00 pm to 6:00 pm Wednesday and Friday
  Call 1-866-810-8380 for more information.
   
• Semcac Winona:
  1756 Kramer Drive, Suite 300
  Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday
  Call (507) 474-4890 for more information.
   
• Semcac Winona:
  165 East 4th Street, suite 100
  Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday
  Call (507) 452-8396 for more information.