Home Repair Grants for Senior Citizens
- Author: Jessica Williams
- Posted: 2024-08-30
1. Federal Repair programs
As its name suggests, this is a federal grant administered by the Rural Development, a department in the US Department of Agriculture. It is the primary home repair program offered to low income senior citizens aged above 62 years old. Besides age, applicants should also be US citizens living in the rural parts of the country to qualify for the grant.
The federal repair grant may be used only for home repair and improvements like fixing the heating or cooling system, weather stripping, installing grab bars and ramps, and many other repairs that can make the senior's home safe and comfortable.
The program is available in the form of a grant offered to senior citizens who cannot afford to pay a loan. An applicant can receive as much as $7,500, and it is the lifetime maximum. On the other hand, financially well-off citizens can opt for a loan whose maximum limit is $20,000 paid within 20 years. A single applicant can qualify for both the loan and the grant.
2. State repair programs
Almost each state has a home repair grant offered to senior citizens and other unfortunate citizens facing weatherization related repairs, or any other repair issues. Unlike the federal repair program, the state rehabilitation programs are offered by state governments. This implies that the grants are limited to citizens of a particular state.
For instance, the state of California offers different home repair grants to its senior citizens through municipal housing offices, and nonprofit organizations. A good example is the zero- interest- rate- deferred- loan program offered to low-income senior citizens in Richmond city.
3. State weatherization programs
The state weatherization programs are offered to low-income senior citizens as well as disadvantaged citizens who can use it to cover weatherization related home repairs like upgrading heating and air conditioning systems, fixing or repairing energy efficient windows, and increasing a home's energy efficiency. These repairs are critical as they protect the senior citizen against extreme temperature changes.
Similar to state repair programs, the state weatherization programs are offered to citizens of a particular state. For instance, California's Department of Community Services collaborates with Alameda County's Spectrum Community Services Inc. to offer cost-free weatherization grants to low-income senior citizens and homeowners who are looking to make weatherization repairs.
4. Earthquake brace and bolt
Earthquake Brace and Bolt is a joint grant program that was established by California's Department of emergency and California Earthquake Authority. The grant program was started with a primary goal of protecting unfortunate citizens against potential damages that may result from an earthquake.
In this program, beneficiaries receive a grant of $3,000 to help them retrofit homes against earthquakes. Retrofitting shield older homes from sliding off their foundations in the event of an earthquake. The grant is not only open to senior citizens but also to any other person who wants to protect his or her home against the seismic effect.
Legible candidates should be Californian citizens living in a house that needs retrofitting. Moreover, the house must meet California's building codes, it should be within specified ZIP codes, and the applicant should fill and complete the required documentation before the deadline.
5. Other home repair grants
Apart from the grants and loans offered by the federal and state governments, various charities and foundations also provide home repair grants and other necessary help to senior citizens and other unfortunate citizens. Some of these charity organizations include the Habitat for Humanity, which organizes home repair events for senior citizens and other eligible citizens. Other similar agencies that offer home repair grants to its citizens are PacifiCorp Foundation and Rebuilding Together.
