Free Home Repair Grants | Federal & State Government

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home repair grants

The federal government supports a home repair loan program, representing money you must repay with interest.

However, what if you cannot afford these extra monthly payments?

Grants are far superior because you do not have to pay the money back. Those who qualify can get their residence fixed for free!

However, free grants for homeowners for repairs do not come with clear labels and easily identified application processes.

Follow our roadmap designed to help you navigate the labyrinth of government programs that begin at the federal level and trickle down to state, county, and municipal agencies or non-profit organizations. 

Federal Grants for Home Repairs

The federal government rarely provides grants directly to homeowners for personal uses such as home repair. Instead, the free money flows to state agencies and non-profit organizations to support their missions.

In other words, you must apply for assistance from the grant recipients.

Table Of Contents
  1. Federal Grants for Home Repairs
  2. State Grants for Home Repairs

Low-Income

The federal government aims most home repair grants to benefit low-income homeowners, typically measured by the Federal Poverty Level, which includes two components.

  1. Countable earnings
  2. Household size

Low-income families frequently qualify for assistance with repairs designed to improve a home’s energy efficiency or eliminate health and safety hazards.

WAP

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides home repair grants for low-income families when the project reduces energy consumption or corrects a health or safety issue.

Apply for WAP benefits at your local state agency. A certified local contractor will conduct an extensive home energy audit and recommend a renovation or replacement, provided the savings-to-investment ratio (SIR) exceeds a minimum threshold.

LIHEAP

Suppose the project reduces future gas and electricity bills. In that case, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may provide home repair grants to families living below 150% of the federal poverty level.

Apply for LIHEAP through your state agency with an understanding that the program focuses on reducing utility bills. Therefore, LIHEAP-approved projects are more likely to support equipment restoration or upgrades connecting electric outlets and gas pipes.

HUD

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides home repair grants to states, cities, and counties to help low-income families in densely populated areas.

However, individuals cannot apply for HUD grants directly, and the department does not maintain a database of end-point recipients to facilitate the process for families.

You must apply for help at the ultimate recipient of Community Development Block Grants. In the second section of this article, we provide links for several larger states.

Senior Citizens

The federal government supports free home repair grants earmarked exclusively for senior homeowners. However, these initiatives are very limiting, meaning older adults must expand their search.

Home repair assistance for seniors comes from different sources. Although retirement incomes are often low, older adults have fewer dependents, making it more challenging to qualify as a poverty-stricken household.

Section 504

The Federal USDA Section 504 program provides $10,000 home improvement grants to senior citizens in designated rural areas. You can use the free money to remove health and safety hazards.

Apply for a Section 504 grant by completing Form RD 410-4. To qualify, you must meet these criteria.

  • Reside in an eligible rural area (not metropolitan)
  • Be the homeowner and occupy the house
  • Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
  • Have a household income under the county limit
  • Be age 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan

Medicare Advantage

The federal Medicare program sometimes provides home repair grants for senior citizens enrolled in Part C (Advantage Plans) but not the traditional Parts A, B, or D.

Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) available through many Medicare Advantage Plans will sometimes include benefits for structural home modifications that minimize risks for future hospitalizations and adverse health events.

Disabled Individuals

The federal government supports free home repair grants earmarked exclusively for disabled homeowners. However, adults with physical or mental limitations must stretch the definition to get this extra help.

Disabled individuals qualify for home repair benefits based on their meager Social Security checks, typically leaving them in the low-income category (see above). However, they have three unique opportunities to save money on projects.

  1. Lenders cannot garnish Social Security Disability benefits or repossess your home should you default on an unsecured personal loan.
  2. Repairs needed to address health, safety, or accessibility (grab bars, ramps, rigid flooring, etc.) may be tax deductible if your spouse works.
  3. Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services may cover home safety assessments and modifications supporting activities of daily living.

Disaster Victims

The government provides home repair grants to victims of presidentially declared disasters through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The free FEMA money helps fix damage not covered by insurance to make the primary residence safe, sanitary, and fit to occupy.

Apply for FEMA assistance online. Enter your zip code to confirm the declared name and date. Have several items handy when completing the application.

  • Social Security Number
  • Annual household income
  • Contact information
  • Insurance policy number
  • Bank account information

State Grants for Home Repairs

Many federal grants for home repair flow to state agencies that disburse the free money as benefits for qualifying homeowners. For instance, the HUD, WAP, and LIHEAP programs each require families to apply at a local entity.

We compiled a listing of resources for the three large states below using an internet search process that you can easily replicate yourself.

  • Home repair assistance (HUD) in (state, city, county)
  • Weatherization Assistance (WAP) in (state, city, county)
  • Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) in (state, city, county)

California

California homeowners can utilize the government home repair grants noted above by contacting the appropriate agency in the Golden State.

The California Department of Community Services & Development makes finding help through an online directory easier. Type in your zip code to find a listing of local agencies disbursing grant money across several categories.

  • Home energy efficiency (WAP & LIHEAP)
  • Migrant and seasonal farmworkers
  • Native American Indians

Many municipal governments receive HUD home repair grants and establish programs or departments to disburse the funding to low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

Texas

Texas homeowners can use the government home repair grants noted above by contacting the designated agency or department in the Lone Star State.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) maintains an online database of local agencies and organizations, making it easier to find help.

  1. Choose the type of assistance needed
    1. Home repair, architectural barrier removal, and rehabilitation
    1. Utility bill payment help (CEAP, which may include heating and cooling upgrades)
    1. Weatherization (WAP, which may consist of HVAC, window, roof, and appliance replacement)
  2. Enter your city or county
  3. Press the “Find Help” button

Many city and county governments in Texas receive HUD home repair grants, funding programs, or departments that help low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

  1. Dallas Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization  
  2. Harris County Community Services Department 
  3. City of Houston Housing and Community Development
  4. San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services
  5. Austin Housing & Planning Department
  6. Fort Worth Priority Repair Program

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania homeowners can use the government home repair grants noted above by contacting the designated recipient in the Keystone State.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funnels federal grant money to local non-profits, county agencies, and utility companies for several initiatives.

Many city and county governments in Pennsylvania receive HUD community block grants, funding programs that help low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

For instance, Philadelphia supports many such efforts through the city government or in cooperation with partner organizations.