Are you dreaming of enhancing your home’s exterior and boosting its curb appeal? The City of Anoka Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is excited to announce the continuation of the Curb Appeal Residential Enhancement (C.A.R.E.) Grant Program into 2025. With a total funding of up to $100,000 allocated for deserving homeowners, this initiative provides a fantastic opportunity to invest in your property and contribute to the overall beauty of the Anoka community. Individual grants range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000 per property, making significant exterior improvements more accessible than ever.
Understanding the C.A.R.E. Grant Program Intent
The primary goal of the C.A.R.E. Grant Program is to support Anoka property owners in undertaking exterior renovations that specifically enhance the street-side appearance of their homes. By sharing a portion of the project costs, the program aims to collectively elevate the curb appeal of residences across Anoka, thereby benefiting the entire neighborhood and community aesthetic. Notably, there are no income restrictions to participate in this advantageous program, making it available to a wide range of homeowners committed to improving their properties.
Eligibility Requirements for the C.A.R.E. Grant
To be eligible for the 2025 C.A.R.E. Grant Program, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Property Type: The property must be a 1 to 4 unit building, owner-occupied, and classified as a single-family home, townhome, twin home, or condominium.
- Location and Homestead Status: Your home must be located within Anoka, MN, and hold homestead status with Anoka County Property Records. Relative homesteads are not eligible.
- Property Tax Status: Applicants must be current on their Anoka County property taxes.
- Property Value Limit: The estimated property value must be less than $350,000, as determined by Anoka County property records.
- Project Inclusions: Proposed projects must include at least one item from the designated Beautification Project List (detailed below).
- Street Visibility: All proposed projects must be visible from the street in front of the applicant’s house to enhance curb appeal.
- Insurance Claims: Projects covered or intended to be covered by insurance claims are not eligible for C.A.R.E. Grant funding.
- Project Commencement: Crucially, work on any project cannot begin until all required paperwork has been submitted to the Anoka HRA, and a Grant Award Certificate has been provided to and signed by the homeowner.
Beautification Projects: Required for C.A.R.E. Grant Eligibility
A key component of the C.A.R.E. Grant Program is the requirement to include at least one project from the following list of Required Beautification Projects to qualify for the 25% grant. This list is designed to ensure that funded projects directly contribute to enhancing the visual appeal of homes from the street.
- Doors: Replacement or upgrade of the front door, storm door, and/or garage door.
- Sidelight Windows: Installation or enhancement of sidelight windows located by the front door.
- Exterior Lighting: Addition or modernization of exterior lighting fixtures to improve aesthetics and safety.
- Front Door Columns: Installation or enhancement of columns at the front door entrance.
- Covered Front Porch: Construction or significant improvement of a covered front porch area.
- Siding: Upgrading to brick, stone, or shake siding on the front of the house.
- Roofline Alteration: Modifications to the roofline specifically on the front-facing side of the house.
- Permanent Landscaping: This includes a minimum $250 investment in permanent landscaping such as tree trimming, removal and replacement of overgrown or dead plants, and planting new trees, shrubs, plants, and/or perennial flowers.
- Driveway and Sidewalk: Repair or replacement of the driveway and sidewalk, including options like stamped concrete.
- Window Boxes and Shutters: Adding or replacing window boxes and shutters to enhance window aesthetics.
- Utility Screening: Implementing screening solutions for utility boxes and/or garbage and recycling cans to improve visual order.
- Fencing: Adding, repairing, or replacing fences to enhance property lines and curb appeal.
Alt text: Anoka Housing and Redevelopment Authority Logo for the C.A.R.E. Grant Program, promoting community curb appeal.
How to Apply for the 2025 C.A.R.E. Grant Program
Applying for the C.A.R.E. Grant is a straightforward process. The online application will be accessible starting January 1, 2025.
- Apply Online: Applications can be submitted online via the Application Link. Please note that the application portal opens on January 1, 2025.
- Application Deadline: The deadline for submitting your application is Friday, February 28, 2025. It is crucial to ensure your application is submitted by this date to be considered for the program.
- Recipient Selection: Recipients will be chosen through a lottery drawing on Monday, March 3rd at 3:00 p.m. The drawing will be held in person at Anoka City Hall. Applicants are not required to be present to be selected.
For a more detailed understanding of eligible projects and further program specifics, please refer to the 2025 C.A.R.E. Grant Program Information brochure.
Get More Information and Assistance
For any inquiries or further assistance regarding the C.A.R.E. Grant Program, please contact Darin Berger directly.
- Contact: Darin Berger
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 763-576-2724
You can also gain additional insights by watching a video clip featuring HRA Executive Director Darin Berger discussing the program: Watch Video Clip. Furthermore, for added commentary and details, you can view a QCTV interview with Darin Berger here: QCTV Interview.
Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to enhance your home’s curb appeal and contribute to the beauty of Anoka! Prepare your application for the 2025 C.A.R.E. Grant Program and take the first step towards realizing your home improvement vision.
