You can get roof repair assistance from federal and local programs.
Maintenance is the key to good housing, and a sound roof is the first key to proper maintenance of a home. Leaking roofs begin the destruction of the rest of the structure. Mold and mildew resulting from water invasions can cause health problems for the house's occupants. Governments and organizations offer roof-repair programs and other maintenance aid because they recognize the values of helping people to remain in their homes and of preventing deterioration of neighborhoods. Does this Spark an idea?
Baltimore, Maryland
The Baltimore Housing Office of Rehabilitation's Senior Roof Repair Program is for residents who are at least 62 years old and who own and occupy a home that needs roofing repairs. This program offers loans of up to $5,000 for roof repairs. The loan's principal is reduced by 20 percent for each year the owner continues to live in the house. If the homeowner is still living in the house after five years, he has no obligation to repay the loan. To qualify for this loan, the homeowner's income must be less than 50 percent of the median income for the area. He must own the house and must have homeowner's insurance. Eligible homes may not exceed two dwelling units. The loan closing costs and application fees are included in the total loan amount, so they do not burden the elderly homeowner.
Federal Aid
The Federal Very Low Income Housing Repair Loans and Grants program is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Office. This aid is available to low-income rural residents who need to make repairs to their property because of damage that poses a health and/or safety hazard to the person or family. The program offers a 20-year loan of up to $20,000. To be eligible, the recipient must live in a rural area, and must be able to repay the loan. People 62 years old or older may qualify instead for a grant, which does not have to be repaid.
Habitat for Humanity
The Habitat for Humanity of Omaha's Roof and Repair Program is for low-income homeowners in Omaha, Nebraska. To be eligible, a resident must own her home, and maintenance issues, including roofing problems, must have caused the home's value to decline. The program is intended to improve the entire neighborhood by improving housing. The program provides a no-interest loan that the homeowner will repay, with payment amounts based on ability to pay. The homeowner also must provide some "sweat equity" -- time spent helping with construction or other work. Applications are available at the organization's website. Habitat for Humanity operates similar programs in other locations.
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