| What is a Home Repair Grant? | | | | the types of home repairs that can be |
| | | | implemented with this money, the qualifying |
| Home repair grants are a way for people to | | | | process is typically less rigorous than for a |
| pay for home repairs that may otherwise | | | | line of home equity credit from a lending |
| remain unfixed. Home repair grants can bring | | | | institution. |
| electric wiring up to code, repair or replace | | | | |
| septic systems, and add energy saving | | | | Will My Home Repair Be Covered By A Home |
| features such as insulation and storm | | | | Repair Grant? |
| windows. | | | | |
| | | | Home repair grants cover a variety of home |
| Home repair grants are available from a | | | | improvement projects. Typically projects that |
| variety of sources, with differing | | | | are funded by the federal government have |
| qualifications. The common denominator is, of | | | | stringent guidelines for approval. Generally |
| course, ownership of the home. Proof of | | | | speaking a home that has safety concerns, |
| income, work completed by a licensed | | | | such as outdated electrical wiring or an old |
| contractor, and a limit to the dollar amount | | | | porch that makes entering and exiting the |
| of the work are all considerations that must | | | | house potentially dangerous would be |
| be made when finding the appropriate grant. | | | | considered for a home repair grant. A federal |
| | | | grant may also pay for adding insulation, |
| Home repair grants, as a rule, are for | | | | repairing or replacing windows and doors, or |
| repairs necessary for safe habitation of the | | | | doing other types of work to make the home |
| home or to make the home more energy | | | | more energy efficient. A federal grant will |
| efficient. Home repair grants will typically | | | | not pay for a kitchen remodel, adding closets |
| not cover painting, home additions, or | | | | or storage space, or other project that could |
| landscaping. | | | | be considered cosmetic. In addition, a |
| | | | federal grant will not pay for repairs on a |
| Who Provides Home Repair Grants? | | | | home that will remain questionably habitable |
| | | | even after repairs. |
| Home repair grants can come from a variety of | | | | |
| sources. The federal government, through the | | | | State and community level grants have |
| United States Department of Agriculture, is | | | | different qualifying standards, and vary |
| one provider of home repair grants. Many | | | | greatly. While some grants will mirror |
| states and communities also provide home | | | | closely the directives of the federal |
| repair grants. While it may seem impossible | | | | programs, other grant programs are for a |
| to find these grants, don't be discouraged. | | | | particular purpose. Some programs are aimed |
| | | | at making homes more energy efficient, more |
| One way to find local recommendations for | | | | attractive, or preserving original |
| home repair grants is to contact your local | | | | structures. These programs, while still |
| bank or other lending institution. Familiar | | | | maintaining tough standards for |
| with home repair issues, most lending | | | | qualifications, can be an excellent way to |
| institution can point you in the direction of | | | | obtain money if your project lines up with |
| an appropriate granting agency. | | | | their purpose. |
| | | | |
| If your housing situation needs immediate | | | | Other state and local grant programs are |
| help, you should contact your local | | | | geared toward particular recipients, whether |
| municipality. Many communities offer | | | | they are first time homeowners, the elderly |
| emergency grants for immediate needs, such as | | | | or other groups within the population. If you |
| a broken furnace or water problem. | | | | qualify for one of these grants, you may find |
| | | | fewer restrictions on the type of home |
| Who Can Qualify for a Home Repair Grant? | | | | improvements that you may make. As with any |
| | | | grant program, it is important to make sure |
| Home repair grants are typically aimed at | | | | that your plans match up with the plans of |
| those people that would not qualify for a | | | | the grant making organization before you |
| traditional home equity line of credit or | | | | begin the remodeling process. |
| personal loan. Whether due to age, income, or | | | | |
| credit history, home repair grants can close | | | | While it may seem that applying for and |
| the gap between a traditional home | | | | accepting grant money limits the options |
| improvement loan and allowing a home to fall | | | | available to homeowners, the reality is very |
| into a state of uninhabitable disrepair. | | | | different. Home repair grants are a way for |
| | | | people that would not normally be able to |
| If, after researching your options, you find | | | | make improvements to their homes to do so. In |
| that you do not qualify for a home repair | | | | addition to making their homes a safer and |
| grant, there are other choices available. The | | | | more comfortable place to live, they also |
| same agencies that provide home repair grants | | | | increase their property values as well as the |
| many times will also offer low interest | | | | value of the neighborhood. |
| loans. While there are still stipulations on | | | | |