Director Margaret Osei-Bonsu
Department of Housing &
Community Development
Appointed January 2023
City of Maplewood
Director's Statement · February 2026
Affordable Units
Target by 2030
Since 2020, our department has moved from paper-based case files to a unified digital system — cutting application processing time by 34%. We have delivered emergency rental assistance to 4,200 households, prevented 1,800 evictions through mediation, and cleared a 7-month permit backlog that had stalled affordable housing construction across 14 city blocks.
This page is your starting point. Whether you are a renter facing a habitability issue, a first-time buyer ready to apply for down-payment assistance, or a developer seeking a variance review — the right door is below. We have designed every pathway to take you from this page to an answer in three clicks or fewer.
Margaret Osei-Bonsu
Director, Housing & Community Development
What We Have Built
Six years of housing milestones, measured in units built, families housed, and applications processed — not promises made.
2019
Completed citywide fair housing audit identifying 23 neighborhoods with critical housing supply gaps.
23 neighborhoods2020
Deployed $8.4M in emergency rental assistance during COVID-19, stabilizing 2,100 households.
$8.4M deployed2021
Migrated all case files to unified digital system, reducing processing time from 47 to 31 days.
34% faster2022
Expanded first-time homebuyer grant program, awarding $2.1M to 312 qualifying families.
312 families2023
Eliminated 7-month affordable housing permit backlog, enabling 1,400 new units to begin construction.
1,400 units2025
Mediation program prevented 1,800 evictions, surpassing the 2024 annual target by 42%.
1,800 evictions preventedService Directory
Select the card that matches your situation. Each one routes directly to the application or information page for that program.
One-time or short-term rental payments for households facing eviction due to sudden income loss, medical crisis, or documented hardship.
Down-payment assistance grants up to $25,000 for income-qualifying first-time buyers purchasing within Maplewood city limits.
File a formal complaint against a landlord for unsafe conditions — mold, heating failure, structural hazards, pest infestation, or water damage.
Check the status of a pending permit application, submit required documentation, or schedule a required inspection for residential or commercial projects.
Apply for income-restricted senior housing units (age 62+) across 8 Maplewood properties. Current average wait time is 14 months.
Request a zoning variance or density bonus for projects that include at least 20% affordable units. Expedited review track available.
Not sure which program applies to you? Call our intake line at 555-512-0000 Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM, or visit Window 3 at 400 Civic Center Plaza. Interpretation services available in 14 languages.
Impact by the Numbers
Households Assisted
Emergency rental support since 2020
Evictions Prevented
Through mediation and legal aid
Homebuyer Grants
Down-payment assistance awarded
Faster Processing
Average application turnaround
Office Locations
400 Civic Center Plaza, Room 220
1820 Eastpark Boulevard
305 Northgate Commons Drive
All offices are ADA-accessible. Interpretation services available in 14 languages at no cost. TTY/TDD: 555-512-0001