Basic home repairs include maintenance to keep your home in shape, like a roof.
If your family income is on the low side and your home could use some basic repairs, you might be eligible for a home repair program. Home repair programs for low-income families are offered by a variety of federal, state and local agencies. Does this Spark an idea?
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Programs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a wide range of programs for homeowners, including the HOME and HOPE programs. Another program, the Community Block Grant Program, helps rehabilitate neighborhoods and can include home repairs. In some cases, you can combine HUD money from multiple programs to get your home repairs done. For instance, HUD's 203(k) program offers funds to low-income individuals for home rehabilitation and repair, but funds from the program are often combined with other HUD initiatives when a borrower purchases a new HUD home. To be eligible for HUD programs, you must meet the federal government's low-income guidelines for your state or city.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Programs
If you live in a rural area, apply to a U.S. Department of Agriculture program to fix your home. The UDSA offers home rehabilitation grants to homeowners who live in rural areas, meet their eligibility guidelines and cannot get credit elsewhere. Eligible homeowners typically make less the 50 percent of the state median income. Typically, very low interest loans are awarded through this program, but if you're over 62, you could receive a grant from the USDA through the program to make the repairs you need.
Local Property Improvement Programs
For minor problems or issues that need fixing right away, try a local property improvement program. Many cities and counties, such as Hamilton County, Ohio, offer home repair and rehabilitation programs for low-income families. Local programs and eligibility standards vary depending on the area in which you live, but typically local programs offer loans at lower than the standard interest rate.
Nonprofit Home Improvement Programs
If you can't find the money elsewhere or you can't do basic home maintenance, like weatherization, yourself, contact a nonprofit home improvement organization in your area. Most cities and counties have at least one nonprofit organization dedicated to doing basic home maintenance and repairs for individuals who can't do the repairs themselves, due to financial issues or health problems. Eligibility for programs, like Cincinnati's People Working Cooperatively, tend to follow federal or state guidelines for income eligibility.
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