Help paying for home repairs: where to look

Real help exists for homeowners who can't afford urgent repairs, especially older homeowners, people with disabilities, veterans and households with low incomes. It's usually local, and you apply directly. You never need to pay a third party to access government grants.

Places to start

• Your city or county housing or community development department, which often runs home repair or rehab programs funded by federal block grants
• USDA Section 504 Home Repair loans and grants for very-low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas (grants are for homeowners 62 and older)
• The Weatherization Assistance Program, through your state's weatherization agency, for insulation, air sealing and heating repairs
• LIHEAP, your state's energy assistance program, which in some states also helps repair or replace a broken furnace
• Your local Area Agency on Aging, for repair and accessibility help for older adults
• Nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity home repair programs and Rebuilding Together affiliates
• The VA, for adaptive housing grants for eligible veterans with disabilities

How to apply well

1. Call 211, or your city's housing office, and ask which repair programs serve your address.
2. Ask about eligibility, waiting lists and what they cover before you gather paperwork.
3. Have ready: ID, proof of ownership, proof of income, your property tax and insurance statements, and photos of the problem.
4. Apply to more than one program; funding and waiting lists change through the year.

Our list

Our Repair help programs page lists these programs with links to the official sites. Funding, limits and eligibility change, so always confirm the details with the program itself.

General information, not legal, financial or construction advice. Prices and rules vary by state and city. Affordable Home Assistance doesn't take referral fees or payments from any contractor, lender or brand.