Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Residential Home Repair Grants

The USDA offers grants to elderly homeowners for home improvement, such as roof repairs.


Home sweet home. Besides personal attachments to their living quarters, residents should make sure their dwellings are safe and in good repair. Because such necessary work can be expensive, federal, state and local residential repair grants are available for qualifying homeowners. Eligibility for most grants is based on income or age, but programs are also available for houses damaged in disasters. Does this Spark an idea?


Home Improvement and Repair Loans and Grants


The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the Home Repair Grant and Loan program, which offers grants to low-income homeowners over age 62 who live in rural areas. Applicants must live in towns with a population of less than 10,000. They must prove to the USDA that they do not have the ability to pay for a home repair loan to receive a grant. The grants may be used to remove safety and health hazards in the dwelling. Eligible repairs include plumbing, heating, electrical systems, roof repair, insulation and screen or window installation.


www.rurdev.usda.gov


Federal Emergency Management Agency Funding


Those whose dwellings have been damaged in a disaster may receive grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for residential home repairs. According to FEMA, funding is available to homeowners to repair damages resulting from a federally declared disaster above the amounts covered by the homeowner's insurance policy. Only primary residences are eligible for these grants. FEMA states that the goal is "to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, and functional."


Federal Emergency Management Agency


P.O. Box 10055


Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055


800-621-3362


www.fema.gov


Rural Ulster Preservation Company


Residents of New York's Ulster County may be eligible for the Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) home repair grants. Homeowners must occupy their dwellings and meet income qualifications. Funds may be used to remediate health and safety hazards, weatherization or other energy conservation measures, or create access for residents with disabilities. While the homeowner must live on site, a property may contain up to four housing units and remain eligible for the program. RUPCO also has a grant program whose criteria is enabling a handicapped person to continue living at home, rather than entering an institution, and provides additional funding for home modifications.


Rural Ulster Preservation Company


289 Fair Street


Kingston, NY 12401


845-331-2140


www.rupco.org

Tags: Emergency Management, Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency, Federal Emergency Management, Management Agency