Every state has down payment or homeownership assistance programs; some states have both. The programs are designed to provide affordable housing opportunities to homebuyers who might not ordinarily be able to afford a house.
Each program can have their own income and eligibility requirements but primarily the programs are available for first-time homebuyers or low-income families.
Keep in mind if you had no ownership in a principal residence in the previous 3 years, you are also considered a first-time homebuyer even if you owned a home prior to that 3-year period.
The programs are not usually administered directly through the State. Instead, they are nonprofit based and handled through a third party agency. The list below will start you on your search but be sure to confirm the program is currently available.
(Source: HUD.gov)
Statewide and Regional Programs
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (651) 296-7608 or (800) 657-3769
Minnesota Homeownership Center (HOC) Statewide Listing of Home Stretch workshops and HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies: (651) 659-9336
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development – Single-Family Housing
County
Dakota County – Community Development Agency Homebuyer Programs (651) 675-4400
Hennepin County Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) (612) 348-9260
St. Louis County (HOME Program Consortia with Lake, Cook, Koochiching and Itasca Counties) (218) 725-5000
City
City of Duluth (218) 730-5480
City of Minneapolis – CityLiving Program (612) 673-5095
City of St. Paul – CityLiving in Saint Paul (651) 266-6692