Grants are available to help elderly homeowners in Mobile repair their properties
Elderly homeowners living in Mobile, Alabama who need funds for home repair can apply for grants from several government sources to cover renovation costs that include labor and administrative expenses and equipment purchases. Generally these grants do not have to to be repaid by the recipients, but some programs will recoup the funds if the terms of the grant agreements have not been met.
Mobile County Government
The county government of Mobile, Alabama makes several grant programs available for elderly homeowners needing to make home repairs. The county government receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and also the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). HUD awards its grants from its Community Development Block Grant funds, and ADECA provides awards from its Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The U.S. Department of Energy funds a Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to help low-income homeowners, including the elderly, save money on their utilities. This program covers weatherization services such as replacing windows, heating, cooling and electrical systems, adding weatherstripping to doors and insulating walls and ceilings. These services are provided free of charge. The program limits project costs to $6,500 per home.
The Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program
Elderly homeowners in rural areas of Mobile County, Alabama can apply for home-repair grants through their state's office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program awards grants to homeowners 62 years of age and older who cannot afford loans to remove safety and health hazards from their houses. Grants, which are limited to $7,500, also cover any home renovation that is needed after the removal of such hazards. Recipients are required to keep their homes for 36 months afterwards. If they sell their homes within that time period, the grant program may recoup the funds.
Housing Preservation Grant Program
The USDA also offers Housing Preservation Grant program to elderly homeowners in Mobile County, Alabama. This program awards grants to low-income homeowners to fix and repair their homes. Funds also are given to rental property owners and co-op members whose housing units are occupied by low-income residents. Recipients have to use grants within 24 months.
Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants
Elderly farmers can apply for grants to fix housing units through the Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants program. These grants finance the construction and renovation of housing units occupied by U.S.-documented farm workers who make most of their incomes from farming. Recipients can also use grants to construct communal facilities such as daycare centers, laundromats and dining areas.
Tags: awards grants, housing units, Mobile Alabama, Mobile County, their homes, apply grants, Assistance Program
