Home repair grants may be used for heating and cooling, roofing, plumbing and other repairs.
A house can be costly to keep up, and not everyone can afford to make the home repairs they know are necessary. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a home repair grant. These grants may not make your home into a castle, but they'll at least keep conditions in your home safe so the house doesn't become uninhabitable.
Purpose
The purpose of grants for home repairs is first and foremost to restore a structure to a safe or efficient condition, thereby preserving the health of the occupants and/or reducing energy costs. However, on a larger scale, home repair grants also improve property values in a community. This improves the economic condition of a region and can revitalize struggling areas.
Eligibility and Fund Dispersement
The grand majority of home repair grants are for low-income, senior, or disabled individuals. However, some homes may qualify under community development grants. Grants are not given directly to individuals. Instead, the federal government distributes the monies to qualified state agencies, who then accept applications for the funds and oversee the repair projects.
Covered Items
Depending on the home repair grant you investigate, you may be able to cover the cost of items like replacing your roof, installing a new furnace, weatherizing windows and insulating rooms. Some grants allow you to make accommodations toward a disability, such as renovating a bathroom to allow wheelchair access or installing voice-activated appliance controls for those with limited mobility. Home repair grants typically do not cover general renovations done simply to improve aesthetic appeal or vary layout.
Funding Organizations/Sources
With some exceptions, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides the majority of United States home repair grants. However, there are rare cases when a business or donor provides a grant. For instance, a company that manufacturers insulation may provide a grant for home insulation as a way to give back to the community and advertise its services.
Where to Find the Grants
In most cases, your Community Development Agency or local HUD office can provide you with a list of home repair grants for which you qualify. They can provide you with all the forms you need to apply and help you fill them out. Other options of finding grants include searching grants.gov or going to your local library to look for grant notices in local publications. You can download or copy what you need from these resources and then submit by mail, fax or online.
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