Roof repairs which would cost homeowners thousands of dollars are paid for with grants.
Roof repairs on residential and nonresidential properties are covered by grants sponsored by several government agencies. Grants cover the project costs which include labor and equipment and supply purchases. Grants generally are not required to be repaid but some programs recoup funds if recipients do not follow through on their obligations.
Community Entitlement Grants
Urban areas needing financial help providing decent housing and expanding economic opportunities for low-income residents can apply for Community Entitlement grants. Funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, these grants are used to demolish unstable structures and renovate and repair existing buildings. Funds are also used to construct neighborhood centers, water and sewer facilities and other public buildings. Grants are awarded to cities and counties with over 50,000 and 200,000 residents, respectively.
Weatherization Grants
Fixing roofs and other weatherization projects to make homes energy efficient are covered by grants from the Department of Energy. Grants finance the costs of weatherizing homes which also includes insulation, adding weather stripping and replacing electrical, heating and cooling systems. These projects are done free of charge to homes owned by low-income families. An average of $6,500 is spent to weatherize a home.
The Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program
Seniors who live in rural areas and need financial help repairing the roof on their homes can apply for grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA. The Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program provides grants to homeowners 62 and older to remove safety and health hazards from their homes. The maximum award amount from this program is $7,500. One of the stipulations of the program is recipients cannot sell their homes for three years or the grant funds can be recouped.
Housing Preservation Grants
Another USDA program available to finance roof repairs is the Housing Preservation grant program. These grants are available to low-income homeowners or landlords and co-op members whose units are occupied by low-income families. Funds are used to rehab and improve housing structures. Applicants must live in communities with less than 20,000 residents. Sponsors of these grants include state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Once receiving the grants, recipients must use funds within a two- year period.
Tags: their homes, Community Entitlement, covered grants, financial help, government agencies, Housing Preservation
