Many federal grants are available to homeowners.
According to the National Association of Realtors, in 2010 (see Reference 5) owning a home in the United States can cost, on average, between $130,000 and $216,000, depending on region. The price is steep, and improvements can be costly. But the federal government offers several types of grants to fund projects such as home construction, repairs and infrastructure improvement for homeowners who would otherwise be unable to afford them.
Rural Housing Preservation Grants
To bring low-income rural homes up to development standards, The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers Rural Housing Preservation Grants. The grants can be used by low-income rural homeowners, property owners and cooperatives to help repair or rehabilitate rural dwellings. Applicants are required to show proof that they have the financial and legal means to carry out proposed home improvements.
USDA Rural Development
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250-0107
202-720-4581
www.rurdev.usda.gov
Indian Housing Block Grants
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers Indian Housing Block Grants to federally recognized Indian tribes for affordable housing projects. Applicants are required to be Indian tribes or a tribal housing entity, and most beneficiaries are required to be low-income families. Applicants are required to complete housing plans and an environmental review. The average grant is for $1,022,779. The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates it will assist 4,415 homeowners in repair and construction with these grants.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20410
202-708-1112
portal.hud.gov
Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development created the the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program to award grants to homeowners who contribute a significant amount of labor to building their homes. Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations with experience in self-help housing construction, and eligible beneficiaries are low-income families who cannot afford to own a home without volunteer labor or sweat equity. Funds can be used for acquiring land and improvements on infrastructure, for an average of $15,000 per dwelling.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20410
202-708-1112
portal.hud.gov
Very Low-Income Housing Repair Loans and Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers grants to low-income, senior citizen rural homeowners for home improvements. Applicants are required to be citizens of the United States, over 62 years of age, low-income wage earners, and must live in a rural area. Grant funds can be used for repairs, to remove safety hazards and to make homes more accessible to dwellers with disabilities. Applicants can receive up to $20,000.
USDA Rural Development
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250-0107
202-720-4581
www.rurdev.usda.gov
Tags: Department Housing, Department Housing Urban, Housing Urban, Housing Urban Development, Urban Development, Applicants required, 1400 Independence