Two U.S. government departments are devoted to improving housing for all Americans--the Rural Development program of the USDA; and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. The USDA and HUD both have home preservation grant programs to assist every stage of home repair and rehabilitation.
Federal Grants
A federal grant is a monetary award of financial assistance. The recipient must use the funds for a charitable or public good. Federal grants are usually not given to individuals as a general rule. However, individuals are eligible to apply directly for home preservation grants. Federal grants are divided into four categories: project grants; categorical grants; block grants; and earmark grants. Grants are obtained by submitting an application and proposal. Federal grants are competitive, so be well informed to be successful in your application. The best source of information on federal grants and application procedures is Grants.gov. This is a resource established by the federal government in 2002 to improve government service to the public.
HUD Grants
HUD offer three different type of grant programs dedicated to home rehabilitation and repair. The grants are administered through the Housing and Community Facilities Program (HCFP). Applications are made through Grants.gov
The Home Improvement Assistance Program offers grants for home community groups, local home improvement, property insurance for home improvement, the Rural Home Property Repair Program, VA Special Adapted Housing for Veterans, and The Rehabilitation Program.
HUD also offers rural housing grants through the Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Loan and Grant program, and it offers state housing grants.
Grants may be applied for directly or indirectly. Individuals are eligible to apply directly without a mediating agency. Send your application to your local HCFP office or your local Rural Development office. HUD recommends contacting Grants.gov for information about grants and application procedures. However, it is better to go through a mediator. Local public agencies and non-for-profit organizations are trained and certified by the HCFP.
USDA Grants
The purpose of the Rural Housing Preservation Grant Program is home rehabilitation and repair. Those eligible for these grants are very low- and low-income rural residents who live in towns with a population of 20,000 or less. Their income must be below 50 to 80 percent of the median income of the local area.
Funding is made directly available to individual applicants. Application for Home Preservation grants is found at Grants.gov. Other eligible applicants include states, non-for-profit organizations, Indian tribal corporations or a consortium of such entities. The applicant must submit a proposal that provides a feasible rehabilitation program. The proposal must demonstrate how the recipients are selected, determine the repair or rehabilitation needs, perform and monitor the repairs, and have the support of local governments.
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