HHIP and HOPE
Ten Duluth employers took steps to make owning a home a reality for their employees. The Hillside Homeownership Incentive Program (HHIP) and the Homeownership Program for Employees in Lincoln Park (HOPE in Lincoln Park) are employer-assisted housing programs focused on expanding homeownership in the Central and East Hillside, Endion and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. Spearheaded by Duluth LISC and administered by Neighborhood Housing Services of Duluth (NHS Duluth), the programs have assisted 119 Hillside and Lincoln Park homebuyers. Duluth LISC’s goal was to assist 100 homebuyers.
The HHIP and HOPE are a partnership between local employers, Duluth LISC, NHS Duluth and the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF). Employer funds provide $2,000 per homebuyer in downpayment and closing cost assistance for employees of any income level to purchase or build a home in the Hillsides or Lincoln Park. Assistance is structured as a five-year, forgivable loan with a depreciating lien. An additional $2,000 match for income-eligible homebuyers is available from GMHF.
NHS Duluth is the point of contact for employees. Program participating employees receive homebuyer education, learn about money management, can access mortgage financing and housing rehabilitation opportunities. Assistance in securing a site to build a home in the neighborhoods is also available.
Employer-assisted housing has become popular nationwide, as employers seek to recruit and retain a stable workforce by providing a benefit to their employees. For Duluth employers, the HHIP and HOPE have the added benefit of generating neighborhood and economic revitalization.
Duluth LISC’s HHIP and HOPE programs are an opportunity for employers to work in partnership with the nonprofit and public sectors to address the affordable housing shortage. The result will be a stable, local workforce, healthy local economy, and revitalization of the Central and East Hillsides, Endion and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.
Current Employers involved in these programs are:
HHIP Employers | HOPE in Lincoln Park Employers |
| US Bank SMDC Health System North Shore Bank of Commerce Wells Fargo Bank St. Luke’s Northland Foundation Miller Dwan Medical Center | US Bank Community Action Duluth BendTec Builders Commonwealth SMDC Health System St. Luke’s |