Thursday, July 30, 2009

Federal Grants For Home Repair For The Disabled & Elderly

A residential building could benefit from home repair grants if disabled or elderly residents live there.


There are federal programs available that sponsor grants to fund renovation and repair projects on homes owned by the elderly and disabled. These grants are used to purchase equipment, as well as to pay for labor and administrative costs. These grants are not required to be repaid by the recipients; however, some grant programs can recoup funds if the recipients fail to meet obligations outlined in the grant agreement.


Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program


Disabled veterans are eligible to apply for grants to pay for home renovations and repairs through the Specially Adapted Housing Grant program, funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program provides three different grants for disabled vets: Specially Adapted Housing (SAH), Special Home Adaptation (SHA) and Home Improvements and Special Alterations (HISA). SAH and SHA grants, which provide grants up to $50,000 and $10,000, respectively, are available only to veterans who have service-related disabilities. HISA grants are available to veterans with service-related ($4,100) and non-service-related ($1,200) disabilities.


Brian N. Bixler, Chief


Specially Adapted Housing


U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs


810 Vermont Avenue, NW


Washington, DC 20420


202-461-9546


va.gov


Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program


Homeowners 62 years of age or older who need home repairs can apply for grants through the Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program. Sponsored by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), these grants are used to remove health and safety hazards from homes. Funds are also used for financing home renovation projects. The grant program prohibits recipients from selling their homes for three years, or the grant funds will have to be repaid. Grant amounts can reach $7,500.


Housing and Community Facilities Programs National Office


U.S. Department of Agriculture


Room 5014, South Building


14th Street and Independence Avenue SW


Washington, DC 20250


202-720-9619


rurdev.usda.gov


Supportive Housing for the Elderly


The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors the Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, which provides grants to increase the number of housing units with supportive services for the low-income elderly. Grants from this program are used acquire real estate, demolish uninhabitable residential buildings, and construct and rehabilitate new and existing structures. Funds also cover the difference between the operating costs per unit and the income received from the tenants. Eligible grant sponsors include private nonprofit organizations and nonprofit consumer cooperatives.


Aretha Williams


451 7th Street SW


Washington, DC 20410


202-708-3000


hud.gov







Tags: Adapted Housing, Specially Adapted, Specially Adapted Housing, Adapted Housing Grant, apply grants, Avenue Washington, Department Agriculture