Seniors in Tennessee may be eligible for a home improvement grant.
The state of Tennessee provides home improvement grants to low-income and senior households. These grant and low-interest loan programs help low-income families make emergency repairs to their homes or modifications to make their homes handicap accessible. Grants are also available to make energy-efficient improvements to homes. You must meet the income-limit level requirements to qualify for help.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The state of Tennessee provides weatherization services to income-qualified households. Weatherization work helps to lower utility bills through energy-efficient upgrades. Eligible weatherization services include caulking, installing insulation and storm windows. Families with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for help. The Department of Energy estimates weatherization services help families save $437 annually. Federal guidelines state low-income families can receive up to $6,500 to have their homes weatherized.
Emergency Repair Program
The Tennessee Housing Development Agency provides $2 million statewide to fund the Emergency Repair Program. Seniors over the age of 60 are eligible to apply for a home repair grant. The maximum grant award is $10,000. The grant money can go toward making immediate repairs to a roof or to electrical or plumbing systems. An eligible home must be a senior's primary place of residence. The homeowner's income cannot exceed 60 percent of the area's median income to qualify for help. Homeowners are also required to provide a 50 percent matching contribution from their own resources.
Department of Agriculture Rural Repair Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture helps income-qualified families in Tennessee make home repairs. Direct loans and grants are provided to families who live in areas with populations of 20,000 or less. Elderly and disabled homeowners can also use the funding to make their homes more accessible. Affordable housing landlords can apply for funding to make repairs or modifications to their rental units. The rental units must house families that meet income level requirements for the landlord to get help with repairs.
Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency
Residents in Nashville can apply for one of several home repair programs offered through the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency. Emergency repair grants up to $2,000 are provided to homeowners who are aged 55 and older or handicapped. The family's income cannot exceed $21,250 to qualify for help. Rehab loans up to $36,000 are provided to low-income families. Financing is used toward bringing a home up to housing code standards. Affordable housing property owners can qualify for a 3 percent loan up to $75,000 to make repairs to their rental properties. Tenants must be low-income households for the owners to qualify for financing.
Tags: their homes, low-income families, qualify help, Repair Program, weatherization services, Affordable housing
