Most of the grant money for home improvement comes from the federal government. Generally speaking, the federal government does not award grant funding for home improvement directly to individuals, with specific exceptions for disabled veterans and disaster victims noted below. Instead, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant Program provides state and local governments with funding for these needs. Apply directly to your city, state, or local government for a grant for home improvement. Does this Spark an idea?
FEMA Disaster Assistance
For people in federally declared disaster areas, such as in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina, FEMA can provide money for temporary housing, repair, replacement, or permanent housing construction. Visit http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/assistance.shtm for information.
For Disabled Veterans
If you're a disabled veteran with a service-connected disability, you may qualify for the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. To be eligible for this program, your disability must be total and permanent as well as connected to your military service. Grants of up to $60,000 are administered through this program. SAH grant money is intended to be used for construction and remodeling of homes with ramps, handicapped-accessible bathrooms, widened garages and doorways and other features making the home accessible to the disabled veteran. For more information, visit http://www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm.
Multiple Sclerosis Patients
If you have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, financial assistance for specially adaptive home improvement may be available from your local chapter of the National MS Society. Please see the link in the Resources section.
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