Public Lottery Set for Anoka’s 2026 C.A.R.E. Grant Awards on March 2nd

ANOKA, MN

The City of Anoka will conduct a public lottery on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Anoka City Hall to determine recipients of this year’s Curb Appeal Residential Enhancement, or C.A.R.E., grants.

The application window for the 2026 cycle closed on February 28. Because demand routinely exceeds available funding, the city uses a random drawing system to ensure equitable distribution of funds among eligible applicants.

The program is administered by the Anoka Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which has allocated $100,000 for this year’s awards.

Grant Structure and Funding

Individual awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 per property. Grants are structured to cover 15 percent or 25 percent of eligible project costs, depending on the scope and category of the improvement.

Funding is restricted to owner-occupied residential properties within Anoka city limits.

Applicants are not required to be present at the March 2 lottery. City staff typically notify selected homeowners the following day.

Eligible Improvements

The C.A.R.E. program is designed to strengthen neighborhood appearance by supporting projects that are visible from the public right-of-way. According to city guidelines, eligible improvements include:

• Front entry doors and storm doors
• Porch columns and façade enhancements
• Front-facing siding and roofing
• Permanent landscaping improvements
• Driveway and sidewalk repair or replacement

Interior renovations and backyard projects do not qualify. Work may not begin until recipients receive official grant approval and documentation from the city.

Program Purpose

Municipal housing authorities commonly use façade improvement grants as a neighborhood stabilization tool. By partially offsetting exterior renovation costs, the program encourages private reinvestment, helps prevent deferred maintenance, and supports long-term property value preservation.

City officials have stated in prior program materials that the lottery system promotes transparency and fairness when applications exceed the available $100,000 allocation.

The results of Monday’s drawing will determine which homeowners move forward with exterior upgrades during the 2026 construction season.

MinneapoliMedia