Homeowner Grants for Women
While almost 70 percent of the U.S. population own their own home, only 51 percent of women in the U.S. are homeowners, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A few federal grants are offered directly to individual women homeowners, while other grants from the federal government fund an abundance of state and local governmental resources available for women homeowners and first-time homebuyers.
What is a Grant?
According to the clearing-house website for federal government grants, Grants.gov, "A federal grant is an award of financial assistance from a federal agency to a recipient to carry out a public purpose...authorized by a law of the United States. Federal grants are not federal assistance or loans to individuals."
This means that very few federal grants are available for individuals, and in general they are awarded to individuals who agree to carry out a specific task of benefit to the public. Grants, as opposed to loans, are not required to be paid back by the recipient. In February 2010, there were only two housing grants available for individuals, one from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fund "green retrofitting" projects, which are to be used specifically for energy efficiency improvements in homes, and one from the VA to combat homelessness among veterans.
Government Benefits: Loans and Grants
A low-interest government loan is an amount of money paid by the government to a bank or other lender on behalf of an individual. The lender in turn loans to the individual. The loan must be paid back over time, with the addition of a small percentage of the total amount. In the "personal benefits" category of government financial assistance, there are many low-interest loans, and a few grants available to individual homeowners and homebuyers, primarily from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In early February 2010, there were only two such grants available to individual homeowners, both through the USDA in support of members of rural communities, and one of which is specifically intended for farmers. Check the GovBenefits.gov Housing Programs page for opportunities and updates, and to check your eligibility.
Local Housing Assistance Programs
While the federal government does not usually provide housing grants directly to individuals, it funds state government programs and organizations which in turn provide assistance to individuals. Find links to state-level home buying and homeowners' resources, including help with repairs, energy efficiency, foreclosure avoidance, refinancing, legal assistance, and many other resources, at the HUD Local Homebuying Programs page.
Private Grants
In early February 2010, there were no grants from private funders for individual homeowners. Always check the Foundation Center website, foundationcenter.org, and search through requests for proposals for new opportunities.
Tags: grants available, 2010 there, 2010 there were, February 2010, February 2010 there, federal government, individual homeowners
