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. This initiative will provide up to $100,000 in total funding to successful applicants, aiming to support homeowners in enhancing their property’s curb appeal. Individual grants will range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000 per property, offering a significant opportunity for residents to invest in their homes and community.
What is the CARE Grant Program?
The primary intent of the Care Grant Program is to assist Anoka homeowners in undertaking exterior improvements that are visible from the street. By focusing on the front of homes, the program aims to collectively elevate the aesthetic appeal of neighborhoods, benefiting both individual homeowners and the wider Anoka community. This care grant program is designed to be accessible to all owner-occupants regardless of income level, emphasizing community-wide beautification.
Eligibility for the CARE Grant Program
To be eligible for this care grant program, applicants must meet several key requirements. The program is open to owners of 1- to 4-unit residential buildings, including single-family homes, townhomes, twin homes, and condos, provided they are owner-occupied. The property must be located within Anoka, MN, and have homestead status with Anoka County Property Records; relative homesteads are not eligible. Applicants must be current on their Anoka County property taxes. Furthermore, the estimated property value must be less than $350,000, as determined by Anoka County. Proposed projects must include at least one item from the pre-approved Beautification Project List and must be visible from the street. Crucially, the grant cannot cover projects already funded or intended to be funded by insurance claims, and work must not commence before the grant is officially awarded and paperwork is completed.
Image depicting the City of Anoka Housing and Redevelopment Authority logo, representing the organization behind the CARE grant program.
Beautification Projects Covered by the CARE Grant
The CARE grant program requires applicants to include at least one project from a list of Required Beautification Projects, which are eligible for a 25% grant. This list includes a variety of improvements to enhance curb appeal. Homeowners can consider replacing or upgrading their front door, storm door, and/or garage door. Sidelight windows adjacent to the front door, exterior lighting fixtures, and columns at the front entrance are also eligible. Adding or enhancing a covered front porch, or incorporating brick, stone, or shake siding can qualify. Significant roofline alterations on the front of the house are considered, as is permanent landscaping, which includes tree services (trimming, removal, and replacement), and the planting of new trees, shrubs, plants, and perennial flowers, with a minimum landscaping expenditure of $250. Driveway and sidewalk repairs or replacements, including stamped concrete, are also covered. Finally, adding or replacing window boxes and shutters, screening utility boxes and garbage/recycling cans, and fence work (addition, repair, or replacement) are all eligible projects under this care grant program.
Watch a video clip about the program from the HRA Executive Director Darin Berger.
How to Apply for the CARE Grant Program
Interested homeowners can apply for the CARE grant program online starting January 1, 2025. The application deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025. Recipients will be selected through a lottery drawing on Monday, March 3rd at 3:00 p.m. at Anoka City Hall. Applicants do not need to be present to be selected. This lottery system ensures a fair and transparent process for distributing the care grant program funds.
Apply Online : Beginning January 1, 2025
For more detailed information about eligible projects and further program specifics, please refer to the 2025 C.A.R.E. Grant Program Information brochure. For any questions, contact Darin Berger directly at [email protected] or by phone at 763-576-2724. Additional insights can be found in a QCTV interview featuring HRA Executive Director, Darin Berger.
YouTube Video
YouTube video link to a QCTV interview with HRA Executive Director Darin Berger, providing further details on the CARE grant program for Anoka residents.
