The Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Program is authorized and regulated under the Housing Act of 1949 as amended (7 CFR, Part 3550) and House Bill HB-1-3550 - Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants Field Office Handbook. Information about home repair or improvement assistance available through local county government housing departments can be found at the various, The U.S. government’s Eldercare Locator website offers tips on home safety and assistance in finding local home improvement loan programs in its, Native Americans can learn more about how to qualify and get housing improvement grants and loans from the. Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. However, a person age 62 or older may be eligible for combined loans and grants totaling up to $27,500. If the applicant can repay part, but not all of the costs, the applicant may be offered a combination of a loan and a grant. Doing so can help families save on heating and cooling costs while staying safe and healthy. Loans to qualified very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes. As long as Congress continues to fund the program in the annual federal budget, applications for the loans and grants can be submitted year around. Be the homeowner and actually live in the home; Be a citizen of the United States or reside in the United States after having been granted. Processing times may vary depending on the availability of funds in the applicant’s area. To begin the process, applicants should meet with a USDA home loan specialist in their area for help with the application. Rural residents can contact a local Rural Development office for information about repair grants and loans. The program's goal is to improve the energy efficiency of homes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers low-interest loans and grants to very-low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas for certain improvements to their homes. Grants to qualified elderly very-low-income homeowners. The USDA provides a web page where prospective applicants can check their address to determine their eligibility online. Other Government Sources of Loans and Incentives, Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans, How to Get Government Help Buying a Fixer-Upper Home, Top Federal Benefit and Assistance Programs, Types of Financial Aid for Graduate Students, How the USDA Has Addressed Discrimination, Free Money for College: Paying for School With Grants, Federal Student Loans for Online College Students, 7 New Deal Programs Still in Effect Today, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), How the HUD Anti-Flipping Rule Protects Homebuyers, The 7 Best Online Colleges for 2020 Enrollment, Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Program, HUD Title 1 Property Improvement Loan program, 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program, state Department of Housing and Urban Development offices, Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loans Service, Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Customer Service Center. Loans and Grants for Single Family Home Repair.
What are the Terms of the Loans or Grants? Within the population limit, loans and grants are available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana's and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. Loans of up to $20,000 and grants of up to $7,500 are available. Loans can be repaid over a period of 20 years. There are about 200 not-for-profit, locally-based HIAs around the country that can help in varying ways. Note: Since the above laws are subject to amendment, applicants should contact USDA home loan specialist in their area for current program details. Loans may be used to repair, improve, or modernize the home, or to remove health and safety hazards from the home. Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards from the home. Some programs are available nationwide, while others are only available at the state or county level.

Specifically, the USDA’s Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Program offers: In order to qualify for loans or grants, applicants must: USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Program loans and grants are generally available to homeowners in rural areas with community populations of less than 35,000. For grants, be age 62 or older and be financially unable to repay a conventional home repair loan. Be financially unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere; Have a combined family income below 50% of the. If you're elderly, disabled or on a low income your local Home Improvement Agency (HIA) may help you to repair, improve, maintain or adapt your home. Compared to conventional home repair loans, with interest rates averaging over 4.5%, the terms of the USDA loans are very attractive. Besides the USDA’s home repair loans and grants programs, financial help for home repairs or modifications is available from other government sources. Robert Longley is a U.S. government and history expert with over 30 years of experience in municipal government and urban planning. Grants do not have to be repaid unless the house is sold in less than 3 years. Assistance can include putting together flat-pack furniture or looking after your garden. Applications for loans and grants are processed in the order they are received.