U.S. Government Grants for Homeowners
Owning a home is still part of the American dream, a dream many still have trouble turning into reality. Yet, once the dream becomes reality, you realize there are little corners and crevices in the dream you did not previously see. The U.S. government has for many years encouraged home ownership through methods both successful and unsuccessful. One result has been programs designed to help homeowners not only purchase homes but also keep them in good repair. There are government grants and programs available for this purpose, although not in the magnitude infomercials may suggest.
Department of Housing and Urban Development
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is well known for locating funding for lower-income individuals to achieve home ownership. HUD also provides assistance to homeowners in need. HUD does not directly provide grant money to individuals but instead helps homeowners and those purchasing a home by providing them with sources of funding.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program has been providing assistance to more than 6.3 million families for the past three decades. A qualifying homeowner can receive assistance up to a maximum of $6,500 in making her home more energy efficient. The U.S. Department of Energy allocates funds to grantees for state and local distribution.
Rural Housing Repair Loans and Grants
The Rural Housing Repair Loans and Grants program is designed to help low-income families repair and improve their homes through either loan or grant money. Grants are normally for those over 62 years old, and loans with 1% interest over 20 years are for those who are younger. Loans are available for up to $20,000 and grants for $7,500. For those who can pay back part of the money, a loan/grant combination can be offered up to $27,500. You must be a U.S. citizen and a permanent resident in a rural area to qualify for assistance.
Cora Brown Fund
The late Cora C. Brown of Kansas City, Missouri, left a portion of her estate to the U.S. government for the purpose of helping individuals who have been victims of natural disasters. If you have had property loss due to a natural disaster that has not been covered by insurance or for which you have not received other government compensation, you may qualify for this benefit. Contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington, D.C.
Individual and Family Grant Program
The Individual and Family Grant Program (IFG) is another benefit for those homeowners who have suffered setbacks due to disasters that cannot be funded by other disaster relief. If you have been denied a Small Business Administration disaster loan, you will automatically be referred to IFG. The home in need must be your primary residence and you must be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien. Additional information for this fund is available through FEMA.
Do Your Research
Many scams promise to provide homeowners with "massive government grant information." The best bet is to bypass these companies and do research on your own through government websites, or talk to your local lenders. Government grants for homeowners are most often granted to organizations that provide the funds directly to the individual on a state or local level. Receiving grant money requires patience and perseverance to get through the process, contrary to the infomercials that make it seem government money is dripping off of trees waiting for someone to harvest it.
Tags: grant money, Assistance Program, Cora Brown, Department Housing, Department Housing Urban, designed help
