Oregon Homeowners: Home Repair Grants and Improvement Programs

Oregon homeowners struggling with aging roofs, failing plumbing, accessibility barriers, or unsafe living conditions have access to several well-established grant and low-interest loan programs. The programs are administered by a mix of state agencies, federal partners, and local nonprofits, and most are specifically aimed at lower-income households, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Oregon Healthy Homes Grant Program (HHGP)

The Healthy Homes Grant Program, administered by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), was created by HB 2842 in the 2021 legislative session. It funds home repairs and rehabilitation for low-income homeowners and landlords, with a strong focus on households affected by environmental justice concerns. The program does not give money directly to homeowners — instead, OHA awards funds to grantee organizations (tribes, nonprofits, and local agencies) that then administer repairs in their communities.

On July 17, 2025, Governor Tina Kotek signed HB 3506 into law, adding $3 million to the Healthy Homes Repair Fund specifically to support home repairs for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Homeowners should check the OHA Healthy Homes page for the list of current grantees in their area to apply.

OHCS Restore Health and Safety Program

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) runs the Restore Health and Safety (RHS) program, which provides funding for accessibility modifications, code compliance updates, emergency repairs, and structural integrity work. Funds are distributed through qualified local organizations — typically cities, counties, and nonprofit homeownership centers. Veterans are a specific priority population under the current RHS funding cycle.

Funding comes from Oregon's Document Recording Fee. Homeowners interested in RHS should contact OHCS (800-453-5511 or HCS_Housing.Info@hcs.oregon.gov) or a regional homeownership center to find the partner serving their county.

USDA Section 504 Home Repair Loans and Grants

For Oregon homeowners in rural areas, the USDA Rural Development Section 504 program is often the most accessible option. It offers:

• Loans up to $40,000 at a 1% fixed interest rate, repayable over 20 years, for very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes.
• Grants up to $10,000 for homeowners age 62 and older who cannot afford to repay a loan, to remove health and safety hazards.
• Combined loan-and-grant packages up to $50,000 (or $55,000 in presidentially declared disaster areas).

Applicants must own and occupy the home, meet very-low-income limits for their county, and live in an eligible rural area. Applications are taken year-round through local USDA Rural Development offices while funding is available.

Oregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program

OHCS is also administering a Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program tied to disaster recovery. The program is scheduled to close applications by December 31, 2025, so eligible homeowners affected by qualifying events should contact OHCS well before that deadline.

How to Get Started

1. Determine your situation. Rural homeowner? Start with USDA Section 504. Senior or disabled homeowner with a specific health-and-safety hazard? Look at the Healthy Homes Grant Program grantees. Veteran? Ask OHCS about RHS.
2. Contact your local homeownership center or Community Action Agency. These groups are the front door for most state and federal home repair dollars in Oregon.
3. Gather documentation early. Income verification, proof of ownership, and proof of occupancy are required for every program listed here.

Funding in all of these programs is limited and often exhausted before the end of each fiscal cycle. Homeowners who think they may qualify should apply as early as possible.