Grants for Low Income Persons
Several federal agencies offer grant programs for low-income individuals and families. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has housing programs that enable low-income people to achieve homeownership. To qualify for help, you must meet income limit levels established for your area. The income limit level is dependent upon your area's median income and that limit also adjusts according to family size.
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SHOP
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HUD provides the funding for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program, or SHOP. The program helps low-income individuals purchase a home. An individual or family is required to help with the construction of their home or a home belonging to someone else, by investing 100 work hours before becoming eligible to purchase a home. The program is administered through community-based organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. The home buyer must make a down payment and attend homeownership counseling.
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program
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This program was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Low-income people who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless are able to receive help to secure new rental housing. Rental assistance can be provided for up to 18 months in addition to moving expenses. If you cannot immediately move into a rental unit, you can obtain a motel voucher for up to 30 days. The money is paid directly to the third-party. This is not a mortgage assistance payment program.
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Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Grant
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This program helps very low-income seniors pay for home repairs. To qualify for help, the home must be located in a rural area of the country as designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The homeowner must demonstrate he cannot afford to repay a loan. Grants for up to $7,500 are provided to correct health and safety concerns or to modernize the home. The homeowner must be age 62 or older to receive a Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation grant.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
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This program is funded through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Low-income veteran families can get help with securing permanent housing. A one-time grant is provided to help pay for rent, the security deposit, utility fees and other moving expenses. The family can also get help with child care, transportation and housing counseling. The veteran must be the head of the household for the family to qualify for help. The family's income cannot exceed 50 percent of the area's median income.
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References
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Self-help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Loans and Grants
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
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