How to Find Grants to Fix a House

If your home needs some serious and necessary repairs, like a new roof or a new furnace, you may be able to find a grant to cover the cost of the repair. Although many grants are available to homeowners for necessary repairs, the number of grants available each year is limited, and income is typically a large factor in determining eligibility for most home repair grant programs. However, if you're not eligible for a grant, many agencies that offer grant programs also offer home improvement loans at very low-interest rates. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Go to the website, www.grants.gov. Find the "For Applicants" section on the right-hand side of the page. Click "Grant Search" in the list under this section. Perform a search for home improvement grants. This will provide a list of grants.

2. Click on each grant in the list to find out more about the specific type of grant and eligibility requirements. If you have difficulty understanding the grant information, make a list of the agencies offering the grants, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

3. Find the phone number for the local office of the department that sponsors the grant. Call the office. Ask about their home-improvement grant programs. Request that information and an application on the programs be sent to your home address directly, if possible.

4. Call your local county or city government office, if federal or state grants are not offered through a central agency in your area. Many cities and counties offer home improvement grants or low-interest home improvement loans for qualifying homeowners.

5. Call local non-profit agencies specializing in home building or home improvement, such as Habitat for Humanity or People Working Cooperatively, to find out if you're eligible for help with repairs through a local non-profit program.

References

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Home Improvements
• Grants.gov
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Home Repair Loans and Grants
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Home Repairs: Ohio
• Hamilton County, Ohio: Hamilton County's Property Improvement Program
• People Working Cooperatively: Service Eligibility Guidelines