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? | Homeowners age 62 or older |
Eligibility Criteria | -Age 62 or older – Be a homeowner in an eligible rural area: View eligible areas here – Family income below 50% of the county’s median income: View median incomes here – Unable to repay a repair loan |
Coverage | – Removal of health and safety hazards – Can be used for mobile home repairs |
Money Available | Up to $10,000 |
Terms of Grant | If property is sold in less than 3 years, grants must be repaid |
Application | Apply at your local USDA Rural Development (RD) office – Find your local office here: View all 50 state local offices – Contact and ask to speak with a USDA home loan specialist What you’ll need: – Uniform Residential Loan Application—Form 410-4 – Authorization to Release Information—Form RD 3550-1 – Budget and/or Financial Statement – Verification of Income and Assets Proof of income for all adults in the household Copies of benefit award letters to verify pension, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), welfare, and other similar income sources Copies of bank or brokerage company statements for the most recent two-month period – Evidence of Ownership—can provide the deed, tax records, or affidavits in the community to confirm the individual has owned the home for 10+ years |
Deadline | Accepted year-round |
Non-discrimination | – Non-discrimination statement: View here – How to file a discrimination complaint: View here |
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? | American Indians/Alaskan Natives |
Eligibility Criteria | Must be one of the following: – Member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe – Alaskan Native Must be all of the following: – Income not exceeding 150% of the U.S. DHHS Poverty Guidelines – Have no other resource for housing assistance – Either (1) Live within your tribe’s approved tribal service area; OR (2) Live in another tribe’s service area and have permission to be part of their Tribal Work Plan – Either (1) Own and reside in substandard housing that was not acquired through a federally sponsored housing program; OR (2) Have no housing at all |
Coverage | – Interim Improvements: Housing repairs for conditions that threaten the health and/or safety of the occupants – Repairs and Renovation: Repairs/renovation to meet applicable building code standards – Replacement Housing: Replacement home if current housing cannot be brought to applicable building code standards – New Housing: New home if you do not own a home You may be eligible if you’re the owner/leaseholder of land suitable for housing (Must be at least a 25-year lease at time of assistance) |
Money Available | – Interim Improvements: $7,500 – Repairs and Renovation: $60,000 – Replacement Housing: A modest house (only provided once) – New Housing: Max of $75,000 assistance towards the purchase of a modest house |
Terms of Grant | HIP Frequently Asked Questions: View here |
Application | To apply for HIP assistance, submit the following documents to your tribal office: – Complete HIP Application: HIP Application Form – Copy of your Tribal Enrollment Card (Tribal ID) – Proof of Income for Entire Household – Proof of Land or obtain a Land lease – Proof of Disability (if claiming disability in HIP Application) For other questions: – Visit the U.S. Department of Interior Indian Affairs website. – Contact your tribal social service provider |
Deadline | There is no deadline |
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grants
Who is Eligible? | Those Affected by Natural Disaster |
Eligibility Criteria | – Must be a U.S. homeowner affected by a natural disaster – Must show documented proof of ownership, income loss, and/or information about your housing situation before the disaster occurred |
Coverage | – Home Repairs: May involve structural, windows, doors, cabinetry, septic, sewage, well, water system, HVAC systems, utilities, entrances and exits to home, and repairs related to a mobile home security through blocking, leveling, anchoring, or resetting fuel or septic lines. – Temporary Housing: For temporary living in rental properties—some areas provide government housing units as a last resort – Lodging Expense Reimbursement: Reimbursement for hotel expenses over a short amount of time due to inaccessibility or utility outage if not covered by insurance or other programs – Home Replacement: For homeowners whose home was destroyed in a natural disaster – Semi-permanent or permanent home construction – Other Needs Assistance: Medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial costs, clean-up items, fuel, repairing/replacing vehicles damaged by the disaster or public transportation, moving and storage expenses related to the disaster, or clothing, household items, special tools required for job, or educational materials. |
Money Available | Up to $33,000 |
Terms of Grant | Insurance – You must file a claim with your insurance agent before applying for assistance, failure to do so may affect your eligibility. Note: Assistance isn’t provided for losses already covered by insurance – You have 12 months from the date you registered with FEMA to submit your insurance information for review. – Flood insurance may be required in certain circumstances |
Application | To Apply: Complete Application Form – To see if your area has been declared for Individual Assistance: DisasterAssistance.gov |
Deadline | None listed |
Non-discrimination | Non-discrimination statement: View here |
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
Who is Eligible? | States/Nonprofits |
Eligibility Criteria | – Applicants should be states, localities, & nonprofit groups – Participating jurisdictions must match every dollar of funds used from the program, aside from administrative costs and predevelopment loans that don’t progress |
Coverage | Used for those investing in the creation of affordable housing purchases, construction, or rehabilitation for low-income people |
Money Available | – States receive either their formula allocation or $3 million, depending on the greater amount. – Local jurisdictions receive at least $500,000 under formula |
Terms of Grant | – Provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – HOME-funded housing units must remain affordable long-term (20 years for new construction, five to 15 years for homeownership housing and rehab) – Jurisdictions have two years to commit funds and five years to spend them. |
Application | To see who administers the HOME program in your area: View here – If you have more questions, visit the HUD website. |
Deadline | None listed |
Non-discrimination | – Non-discrimination statement: View here – To file a complaint: View here |
HUD Community Development Block Grant Program
Who is Eligible? | Communities |
Eligibility Criteria | Applicants should be communities looking to address development needs |
Coverage | -Acquisition of real property -Relocation and demolition -Rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures -Construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes -Public services, within certain limits -Activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources -Provision of assistance to profit-motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities |
Money Available | Varies, depending on the project |
Terms of Grant | At least 70% of funds must be used for low- and moderate-income individuals |
Application | HUD field office |
Deadline | None listed |
Non-discrimination | – Non-discrimination statement: View here – To file a complaint: View here |

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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