Government assistance is available for home repairs.
Home improvement assistance programs vary in the types of work a homeowner can do on his home; however, many governmental and private agencies help low to moderate income homeowners improve their homes. Does this Spark an idea?
General Repairs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers single family housing loan and grant programs for people make home improvements that will improve the safety, sanitation and overall decency of the home. Some may be eligible for grants to repair their homes. Applicants interested in applying for home improvement loans or grants should visit the Rural Development section on the USDA website.
Weatherization Assistance
The Department of Energy manages a program called the Weatherization Assistance Program, or WAP. This program allows agencies that administer the program to complete home repairs for people who need to lower their energy costs.
The repairs that contractors can complete on a home will depend on several elements, such as whether the repairs will effectively lower the energy bill, and if funding is available to assist the family in completing the types of repairs needed specifically for their home. Families can have new insulation installed in their homes, air conditioning or heating appliances repaired, new ducting installed and window tinting installed on windows facing the sun.
Families wishing to apply for WAP may need to contact their local county offices, or find a community action agency in their area. In some instances, electric companies work closely with agencies that provide weatherization assistance, and may be able to give local contact information to people interested in applying for that program.
Disaster Prevention
Some community action agencies and other nonprofit and governmental agencies use government funding from storm shutter and hazard mitigation programs to help families protect their homes from certain natural disasters. These types of programs normally operate in areas where disasters such as hurricanes, flooding or other wind storms are likely to occur. State and local agencies administer these programs via the National Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund.
To apply for these programs, those seeking assistance should contact their local county governmental offices, or community action agencies to ask about eligibility requirements and availability of these programs.
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