Grants are available for senior citizens to pay for repairs and renovations to their homes. Government programs are available to housing authorities and property managers that need to make repairs to housing units occupied by the elderly. Funds cover weatherization projects, the removal of safety and health hazards, and equipment and supply purchases. Recipients generally do not have to pay back grant funds, but some programs require repayment if the terms of agreements are not fulfilled.
Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program
Seniors who need money to pay for housing renovations and repairs can apply for grants through the Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, grants are used to cover the costs of removing health and safety hazards from homes and fix up the damages caused by the removals. Homeowners receive grants up to $7,500. Eligible applicants are senior citizens 62 years of age and older who are not able to afford loans. One of the grant program's requirements is for recipients to keep their homes for at least three years. Selling homes within this time period may lead to recipients paying back their grants.
Community Facilities Grant Program
Nursing home facilities and other facilities housing the elderly needing renovations and repairs in towns of less than 20,000 residents can apply for assistance through the Community Facilities Grant program. Grants are available for constructing, expanding and renovating facilities used for health care, public service, public safety and community services. Equipment needed for facility operations are purchased with funds as well. Up to 75 percent of the project costs are covered by these grants. Highest priorities for grants are given to communities with the lowest income and population levels.
Supportive Housing for the Elderly
The Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors the Supportive Housing for the Elderly program to expand the number of supportive housing units occupied by low-income elderly tenants. Grants finance land and structure acquisitions and demolishing structures no longer inhabitable. Also financed are the construction and renovation of new and existing supportive housing facilities.
VA Grants
The Department of Veterans Affairs sponsors three grant programs for veterans with disabilities to pay for home renovation and modifications. These projects help veterans get around their homes easier. Two programs -- Specially Adapted Housing and Special Home Adaptations -- are available only to veterans with service-related disabilities. Specially Adapted Housing and Special Home Adaptations grants are worth up to $50,000 and $10,000, respectively. The third program, Home Improvements and Special Alterations awards grants up to $4,100 to veterans with service-related disabilities and $1,200 to veterans with non-service-related disabilities.
Tags: veterans with, their homes, Adapted Housing, Adapted Housing Special, Community Facilities