Looking to spruce up your home without breaking the bank? Home repair grants might just be the answer you’ve been searching for. These grant programs offer aid to eligible homeowners seeking safe and sanitary housing. Unlike initiatives aimed at cosmetic improvements, home repair grants are dedicated to addressing issues such as windows, doors, cabinetry, septic, sewage, and structural issues. In this article, I’ll explain what you need to know to navigate the world of home repair grants.
What is a home repair grant?
“A home repair grant is financial aid, or free money, issued by federal and local governments. Each grant is designed to help homeowners make select improvements to their home, often to correct health and safety hazards.”
Types of home repair grants
There are numerous home repair grants and home improvement grants available. Each grant program has different qualifications, but most include showing your household income, where you live, and what repairs you need to do. These grants are a big help for homeowners who need repair assistance due to health issues or financial hardship. From programs for low-income families to ones for making homes more energy-efficient, there are several opportunities out there. I recommend investigating the programs below to see if they apply to your situation.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Single Family Housing Repair Grants
| Who is Eligible? |
| Eligibility Criteria |
| Coverage |
| Money Available |
| Terms of Grant |
| Application |
| Deadline |
| Non-discrimination |
VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
| Who is Eligible? | Veterans/Military |
| Eligibility Criteria | Veterans or Service members with disabilities who have experienced one or more of the following conditions: – Loss of or loss of use of either (1) both arms, (2) both legs, (3) one leg and one arm – Blindness in both eyes or having only light perception, plus loss of/loss of use of one leg – Loss of or loss of use of one leg and residuals of organic disease or injury – Certain severe burns – The loss or loss of use of 1+ lower extremities due to service on or after September 11, 2001, which affects balance or the need for braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair – Certain respiratory or breathing injuries For additional eligibility information, contact: sahinfo.vbaco@va.gov or visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. |
| Coverage | Purchases, construction, or renovations of a home to be disability-adapted |
| Money Available | Max of $47,130 |
| Terms of Grant | – No one can use the grant more than three times up to the maximum amount available – Home must be owned by the eligible individual |
| Application | To apply, complete: Application Form – Submit application at www.ebenefits.va.gov – Call 1-877-827-3702 to have a claim form mailed to you |
| Deadline | None listed, but in accordance with the fiscal year due to funding made available |
Housing Improvement Program (HIP)
| Who is Eligible? |
| Eligibility Criteria |
| Coverage |
| Money Available |
| Terms of Grant |
| Application |
| Deadline |
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grants
| Who is Eligible? |
| Eligibility Criteria |
| Coverage |
| Money Available |
| Terms of Grant |
| Application |
| Deadline |
| Non-discrimination |
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
| Who is Eligible? |
| Eligibility Criteria |
| Coverage |
| Money Available |
| Terms of Grant |
| Application |
| Deadline |
| Non-discrimination |
HUD Community Development Block Grant Program
| Who is Eligible? |
| Eligibility Criteria |
| Coverage |
| Money Available |
| Terms of Grant |
| Application |
| Deadline |
| Non-discrimination |
Additional financial assistance opportunities for homeowners
If a home repair grant doesn’t quite meet your needs, there are alternative assistance options worth exploring. Some financial aid programs offer support beyond the scope of traditional grants. These alternatives may include home improvement loans and tax credits. By investigating these options, homeowners can receive additional financial support. Whether it’s securing a loan with favorable terms or accessing energy-saving incentives, the programs below are additional resources for you.
- Habitat for Humanity. Habitat’s Home Repair Program is intended to keep homes and communities livable and safe — the program relies on donations for necessary supplies. Coverage includes minor work such as weatherization, energy improvements, landscaping, painting, plumbing, etc. Contact your local Habitat for Humanity here.
- Rebuilding Together. Rebuilding Together helps homeowners who have been impacted by a natural disaster, as well as low-income individuals. Coverage includes repairs and maintenance. Find your local affiliate here.
- 203K loan—The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers a 203K loan, a popular option that lets homeowners borrow cash to use toward home projects and repairs at a low interest rate.
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)—These organizations offer additional low-cost loan options available to those that meet eligibility requirements.
- Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)—If you’ve owned your home long enough to build equity, you gain access to that equity through a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Interest rates are much lower with a HELOC than credit cards, but the downside is that home equity lenders place a second lien on your home, which allows them to seize the home in the event you fail to make payments on time.
- Green energy grants or tax credits — If any of the improvements you’re making to your home are for energy efficiency, you may be eligible for green energy grants and credits. There are Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans available to some property owners and businesses for clean energy projects. Approval for this loan is based on the property equity as collateral. Up to 15% of a property’s value is typically available.
- Cash-out refinancing — This involves the refinancing of an existing mortgage. The new mortgage will be a greater amount than the original mortgage was. This allows the borrower to access the appreciation the home has accrued since the original loan was taken out.
Who is eligible for a home repair grant?
State, local, and federal governments offer loans to assist various individuals and situations. Home repair grants cater to senior citizens, mobile homeowners, veterans with disabilities, low-income Native Americans, homeowners facing disaster recovery, entire communities, and low-income rural residents. You can check your eligibility using a helpful tool on the grants.gov website. Under the “Search Grants” tab, select “Individuals” to narrow your search results.
How do I apply for home repair grants?
Information on applying for home repair grants can be found on each website. The following are federal government websites to get you started.
- USDA: Visit site
- HUD: Visit site
- FEMA: Visit site
- U.S. government benefits page: Visit site
- The National Residential Improvement Association: Visit site (Also offers tax credits, home improvement loans, discount programs, and local incentives to help complete your project. The form to apply can be filled out on their website.)
When applying for a grant, educate yourself on the full requirements for eligibility and gather all of the necessary documentation you may need to qualify. Keep in mind that grants can be limited and typically only eligible applicants are chosen. Additionally, check the corresponding website to stay on top of deadlines to submit. Be patient — it can take time for the government to gather the money to disburse to you.
Avoiding Home Repair Scams
Now that financing is secured, the next step is finding a reliable contractor to tackle the home improvement project. Be wary and avoid home repair scams. Start by researching local contractors through online platforms, referrals from friends or family, or professional associations. Reach out to multiple contractors to obtain quotes and assess their expertise and reliability. Ask for references and examples of past work to make sure they have the skills and experience needed for your specific project. Below are some tips for avoiding trouble when selecting a contractor.
Be wary of a contractor who does any of the following:
- Shows up uninvited or contacts you before you reach out
- Pressures you to sign a contract ASAP
- Offers deals only available on that one day
- Brings up an multiple issues about your home
- Makes you pay the full cost up front and insists on paying in cash
- Offers to help finance the project if it involves your home equity or deed
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Tips for avoiding home repair scams:
- Don’t commit to a contract before reading the contract in full and getting multiple estimates
- Ask for the contractor’s references and look up reviews online to check work quality
- Visit Better Business Bureau to check for customer complaints and look for contractors in your area
- Check with your state’s licensing agency to see if the contractor is licensed and registered with your state’s board of contractors and local building inspection office
- See if the contractor has pledged to follow ethical guidelines created by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
- Never pay the full payment until the work is completed, especially if cash is required
- Ask for a written document and invoice explaining the work being done, amount you’ll be paying, cost of materials, time needed to complete, payment process, warranty information, and confirmation that the contractor is insured and bonded.
If you’ve experienced a home repair scam, report it to your state consumer-protection agency.
Should You Get a Home Repair Grant?
If you find yourself in need of home repairs and qualify for assistance, you should get a home repair grant. It can be a beneficial step towards protecting the safety and livability of your home. These grants offer valuable financial support, enabling you to address critical repair needs without bearing the full burden of the costs. By taking advantage of available resources and exploring eligibility requirements, you can access the assistance necessary to transform your living space into a safe and comfortable haven.
Looking for some help with home repairs and maybe save a little money at the same time? Consider a home warranty. Check out our in-depth reviews to see which one may be right for you — all of them offer free quotes!
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