• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Model Cities logo

Model Cities

Communities thrive when people thrive

  • About Us
    • Mission & History
    • Board & Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Contact
  • Room Rentals
  • News & Blog
  • Calendar
  • Resources
  • Give Now
  • Residents & Participants
  • Shelter & Housing
    • Shelter
    • Supportive Housing
    • Affordable Rentals
  • Financial Education
    • Financial Education Workshops
    • HomeStretch Workshops
    • Pre-Purchase Counseling
  • Business Support
    • BROWNstone Commercial
      • Current Business Tenants
      • For Lease
    • Business Development
  • Community Development
    • Real Estate Development
  • Volunteers
  • Funders & Partners
Home > Economic Services > Introducing the Model Cities Homeownership Accelerator

News & Blog

February 18, 2026

Introducing the Model Cities Homeownership Accelerator

Built to move the needle for wealth and homeownership opportunity gaps

Photo of parent and school age children smiling in the entryway to their home

Making moves for homebuyer healing and empowerment

Model Cities, along with partner Rondo Community Land Trust, will host a cohort of prospective homebuyers in spring 2026. The 6-month program will feature homebuyer education and pre-purchase counseling with our HUD-certified housing counselors. We will cover topics that go beyond traditional financial wellness, supporting generational healing to build generational wealth through home buying.

We’re taking a different approach to financial empowerment, creating collective knowledge to address the racial wealth and homeownership opportunity gaps. This program will help those feeling stuck in the home buying process with the tools needed to get closer to their home buying goals.

Upcoming information sessions

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (in person)

6pm – 7:30pm

Saturday, March 7, 2026 (in person)

10am – 11:30am

Sign up for an information session

This program is for families who have found the journey to homeownership challenging because of historic harms to African-American communities in Saint Paul and nationally. Sessions will focus on collective care, creating a community of learning, and providing resources that offer more opportunities to Minnesotans.

Participants must be at least 18 years old, live in the Twin Cities Metro, self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color), and be experiencing financial challenges that make home buying seem out of reach.

Participating households will receive up to $6,500 to participate in the program if selected. With access to additional 0% interest credit opportunity loans that can help them manage unexpected expenses, leverage new opportunities, and build credit. Participants must be able to meet in person and commit to 6 months of biweekly classes, beginning March 18, 2026.

Questions? Contact Model Cities: info@modelcities.org or call 651-632-8350.


About Model Cities

Created in 1967, Model Cities serves individuals and families in Saint Paul to create a community where everyone has access to housing and economic opportunity. Our community development, economic, shelter, and supportive housing services are culturally responsive and supportive of our shared community. We believe communities thrive when people thrive.

Learn more about us

About Rondo Community Land Trust

Through the innovative Community Land Trust (CLT) model, we empower families to build long-term generational wealth, foster the growth of local entrepreneurship, and preserve housing affordability for generations to come. By prioritizing community ownership and equitable development, we create sustainable pathways to economic stability, inclusive growth, and lasting neighborhood resilience.

Learn more about Rondo CLT
Category: Economic Services, Financial Education, For Funders, For Participants, For Partners, For ResidentsTag: Community Development, Financial Education, Homebuying, Mission, Partners, Saint Paul

More posts like this

A statement in support of our neighbors

In Support of Our Neighbors

Read our full statement and find resources to give (or get) support

Photo of Model Cities staff member, smiling and holding small trophy

Model Cities Names New Chili Cook-off Champion

Model Cities gathered for fun, team-building and to name a new chili cook-off star, Sidney McNair

Food Assistance Resources (Fall 2025)

Resources in response to the changes in SNAP benefits

Support Recovery Efforts for our Partner Housing in Action

We’re lending our voice to this call for support to help restore opportunities for our shared community

Model Cities of St. Paul, Inc.

839 University Avenue W

Saint Paul, MN 55104

651-632-8350

Subscribe to our enewsletter

Name

  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Thank you to our funders and partners

previous arrow
Target Foundation
Saint Paul Public Housing Agency
Scoular Foundation
9000 Equities
Allianz Life
City of Saint Paul
FR Bigelow Foundation
Frogtown Neighborhood Association
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Hope Community
Housing Justice Center (HJC)
825 Arts
Otto Bremer Trust
Pohlad Family Foundation
Ramsey County
Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
Saint Paul Minnesota Foundation
Saint Paul Promise
NAREB Twin Cities
Rondo CLT
Butler Foundation
HUD
MN Dept of Human Services
next arrow

Copyright © 2026 Model Cities of St. Paul, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms

Privacy