The U.S. government created the Department of Housing and Urban Development, also referred to as HUD, to help Americans find adequate housing. One way that HUD accomplishes this is through various grant opportunities meant to subsidize the costs of owning a home for American families and individuals. First-time homeowners, those buying properties that are in need of extensive repairs or homeowners looking to upgrade the energy efficiency of their current home may be eligible for HUD grant opportunities for homeowners.
First-Time Homeowners
HUD offers grant assistance to first-time homeowners through the Homeownership Voucher Program. Families or individuals who haven't at least partially owned a previous residence and earn at least the federal minimum wage are eligible for a monthly voucher that covers a monthly mortgage payment up to 30 percent of the home buyer's income. Interested first-time homeowners should contact their local public housing agency, or PHA, to find out about the local voucher program.
Home Rehabilitation
Repair and rehabilitation of single family homes can be funded through a HUD grant-funded loan program specifically designed to pay for home repairs. These loans, known as Section 203(k) loans, are administered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a HUD agency. Section 203(k) loan assistance is only available for repair projects to be performed on a property that the loan applicant is currently in the process of buying. Loan funding can be used to rehabilitate the property, purchase and move a property or refinance the liens currently held against the house's title.
Green Energy Retrofit Assistance
HUD also offers grant assistance to make energy efficient upgrades to your property through energy efficient appliances or solar power installations. This grant program is coordinated by HUD's Office of Affordable Housing Preservation. Grant funding available through this program can be applied toward either the installation or maintenance of green energy technologies. A homeowner can obtain up to $15,000 for one property unit through the green energy retrofit program.
Applying for Grants
A homeowner must register with Grants.gov, the official online database for all federal grants, before applying for a grant through HUD. Visit the Grants.gov web site and select "Find Grant Opportunities" in the left margin to begin your search. Once you've identified the grant program for which you wish to apply, you can complete the grant application online or download the grant application and complete it offline to make filling the online form easier. You can scan or fax copies of official documents which HUD needs to process your application.
Tags: energy efficient, first-time homeowners, grant application, grant assistance, grant opportunities, grant program
