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How to Find Home Repair Grants for Seniors in Your Community
Home repairs can get outrageously expensive.
In 2022, homeowners spent an average of $6,000 on maintenance and repairs, according to a report from insurance firm Hippo.
If you’re an older adult on a fixed income, finding the money to fix things up around the house can feel nearly impossible. But neglecting critical home maintenance can end badly, costing you even more money down the road and putting your health and safety at risk.
Grants and loans funded by the federal government can help pay for home improvement projects like energy efficient upgrades, replacing a septic system and removing health hazards for people with lower incomes.
The Section 504 Home Repair Loan and Grant Program, also known as Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants, are the primary home repair grants for seniors. It’s focused on people ages 62 and old who reside in rural areas.
Other programs exist, many on the state and local level. We’ll walk you through eligibility criteria, available grants and which agencies to contact if you want to apply or learn more.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Section 504 Home Repair Loan and Grant Program aims to assist homeowners with low incomes residing in rural areas with essential home repairs and modifications.
Through this initiative, eligible homeowners can access grants and very low-interest loans (think 1%) to create safe and accessible living environments.
To qualify, your adjusted household income can’t exceed 50% of your area’s median income.
Money from this program can be used to repair, improve or modernize a home, including:
Section 504 loans and grants are intended for people who can’t get or afford credit from other lenders.
To be eligible for the Section 504 program, you must:
The Section 504 program offers two types of financial assistance: loans and grants.
In case you’re wondering, yes, loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance.
The fastest and easiest way to apply for a Section 504 loan or grant is by contacting your state’s Rural Development office.
Once you reach out to your local office, a representative will help guide you through the application process, assess your eligibility and provide details about the specific documents you’ll need to submit (such as income verification records and proof of property ownership).
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program is aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes for people with lower incomes. It’s all about reducing energy costs by addressing issues like air leaks, insulation and inefficient heating or cooling systems.
The program provides grants to local agencies, which then partner with qualified contractors to perform weatherization upgrades.
Upgrades can include but aren’t limited to:
Eligibility is primarily based on income, and priority is given to the elderly and people with disabilities.
Income guidelines vary by state, but generally, you must have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines or receive Supplemental Security Income.
States can also opt to use 60% of the state-median income to define eligibility instead of 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
Because each state administers its own Weatherization Assistance Program, you’ll need to find contact information for your state’s program.
How much money is available for those who qualify? Unfortunately, there’s no national maximum amounts listed on federal websites. You’ll need to reach out to your local agency to get more information.
Even if you don’t qualify for one of the programs mentioned above, there are other home repair grants for seniors administered at the state and local levels.
These programs all share a common goal: to help make housing improvements and repairs accessible to homeowners with low incomes.
The best way to find municipal home repair grants and loans in your area is to contact your state’s Department of Housing and Urban Development or your local Area Agency on Aging.
A Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies report found that over half of major U.S. cities offer home repair loan programs — and nearly a third have grant programs.
The study, which collected and analyzed data on 113 home repair programs in the 100 largest US cities during the fall of 2021 and winter of 2022, found these key takeaways.
Before you apply, understand that home repair grants for seniors tend to have waiting lists.
As the Harvard study notes: “Although larger cities tend to have higher budgets and serve more households, none of the programs have sufficient funds to meet the needs of all homeowners residing in their jurisdictions who qualify for assistance.”
Home repair grants for seniors can be hard to come by, depending on the demand in your area. But the government isn’t the only resource available to help with home repairs and energy upgrades.
National nonprofits are also here to help, too.
Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit organization that offers assistance with home repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficiency upgrades.
Their aim is to improve the quality of life and independence of older adults by creating safe and comfortable living environments.
Rebuilding Together provides services through a network of local affiliates, so the services and process for applying vary depending on your location.
You can find your nearest location by using this tool. Information on how to apply can be found on each affiliate’s website.
Habitat for Humanity is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to building and renovating affordable housing for people in need, including older adults.
Habitat for Humanity also provides financial education and support to homeowners, helping them achieve long-term stability.
You can find more information on how to apply for a Habitat Home here.
The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative is an organization that addresses the connection between health, energy efficiency and housing.
While their primary focus is on low-income families with children, GHHI also offers assistance to older adults. However, direct services are only available to residents in four U.S. cities.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. She focuses on retirement, Medicare, investing and taxes.
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