Grants for Homeowners in North Dakota

How can I get a home improvement grant in North Dakota?

Home improvement or home repair grants and loans in North Dakota or any other state in the US are available to low and moderate-income homeowners, renters, and lenders. These funds may primarily be used by low-income families with children, low-income single parents, low-income senior citizens, veterans, and disabled people. The eligibility requirements on these funds vary on income, age, type of property, as well as the location of the property. Reaching out to federal, state and county agencies that administer grant and loan programs and getting informed of the documents and eligibility requirements is your first step.

For convenience, search and apply for North Dakota home repair grants online. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in the City of Fargo, https://www.hud.gov/states/north_dakota/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/north_dakota/homeownership/homerepairs. HUD provides federal assistance to local administrations and organizations, such as the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) or the HOME Investment Partnership Program. 

As a state, North Dakota offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have two offices in North Dakota that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements: 

https://www.habitat.org/local/affiliate-by-state?state=ND.

There are also eight Community Action Agencies operating in North Dakota and they all offer all kinds of assistance to people in need through grants for bills, employment services, education, and other aid to low-income. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements: 

https://www.communityservices.nd.gov/lowincomeprograms/CommunityServicesBlockGrantCSBG/ActionAgencies/.

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, FirstLink – 211 is also a great place to start. FirstLink is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible in North Dakota for the 211 helplines. This is a live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists can be found in every state and they are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities. https://myfirstlink.org/.

How can I get a solar grant in North Dakota?

North Dakota offers renewable energy and energy efficiency incentive programs, which are available for residential customers, small and large businesses, and government agencies, to improve the environment and stimulate sustainable economic development and growth. Going solar in 2021 is essential for reducing carbon emissions by using renewable clean energy from the sun and lowering your monthly energy costs. Beyond the federal ITC, North Dakota offers additional incentives for going solar, depending on where you live and who your utility company is. The main incentives for North Dakota homeowners who go solar are a favorable net metering policy and a five-year property tax exemption on the increase in home value.

The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit or ITC is a federal policy that supports the use of solar energy in the USA. This policy represents a 26% tax credit claimed against the tax liability for solar systems on residential and commercial properties. North Dakota’s average cost of a solar panel installation ranges from $9,682.00 to $11,834.00. As of Jul 2021, the average cost of solar panels in North Dakota is $2.42 per watt making a typical 6000 watt (6 kW) solar system $10,758 after claiming the 26% federal solar tax credit now available. You can apply for this credit on your taxes when you purchase solar systems and install them on your roofs.

The percentage that you can get is the following:

• 26 percent for projects that begin construction in 2021 and 2022,
• 22 percent for projects that begin construction in 2023,
• After 2023, the residential credit drops to zero while the commercial credit drops to a permanent 10 percent.

To apply for this credit you must meet certain criteria, such as:

• The solar PV system is located at your primary or secondary residence in the United States, or for an off-site community solar project, if the electricity generated is credited against, and does not exceed, your home’s electricity consumption,
• You own the solar PV system (i.e., you purchased it with cash or through financing but you are neither leasing nor are in an arrangement to purchase electricity generated by a system you do not own),
• The solar PV system is new or being used for the first time. The credit can only be claimed on the “original installation” of the solar equipment.

North Dakota exempts from local property taxes any locally-assessed solar, wind, or geothermal energy device serving a new or existing building or structure. This Renewable Energy Tax Exemption is applied only during the 5-year period following installation. 

How can I get a debt grant?

Although getting a grant that will completely cover all of your debt is NOT available, there are still several other options in North Dakota to consolidate and lower your debts. While the government and government-approved agencies do not typically provide debt grants, they do offer a variety of programs that can assist consumers who are struggling with their finances or overwhelmed with credit card debts. Many credit counselors offer debt consolidation programs that can lower the interest rate on your outstanding debts, like high-interest credit card debts. Another option at your disposal is the debt consolidation loans where a debt consolidation lender pays off your debts and all you are left with is one single payment for this new loan. The third option is debt settlement in which a debt negotiator works out a settlement with your creditors. 

If you’re facing unmanageable debt, a Debt Management Program might be the answer. This program helps you pay off your debt to multiple creditors with a single, comfortable monthly payment. When you sign for this kind of program at any of the available agencies, they negotiate better terms for you from each of your creditors. The payment then goes to your chosen agency and they distribute those funds on your behalf. A debt management plan is not a loan, but an agreement between debt management companies and creditors on your behalf. Although this is NOT a grant, you still save money in interest and fees. Before you agree to a debt management plan, it is advisable to get help from a credit counseling organization. Debt Management Plans usually last from 36 to 60 months. The link below shows a list of approved credit counseling agencies in the state of North Dakota you may contact:

https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=ND

You can also try and reduce your debt by applying online for debt counseling services at InCharge.org, a non-profit organization. This organization has a debt management program that works directly with creditors to consolidate your debt through the method of combining multiple debts into one monthly payment, reduce the interest rate on your credit, and create a monthly payment plan that you can afford.

Another financial strategy to pay off your debts is through a Debt Consolidation Loan. This means getting a loan to pay off all of your debts and then make single monthly payments to your lender. The advantages are that debt consolidation loans usually carry a lower interest rate, and these loans usually take 2 to 5 years to repay, depending on the amount. The loans can be secured by a home, car, or property or be unsecured.

Debt Settlement is your third option, in which a debt negotiator works out a settlement with your creditor. This settlement reduces your existing loan principles and credit card balances by a substantial margin. This option is a prime alternative to bankruptcy. 

If you are having credit card debts, you can use a Balance Transfer Credit Card. This type of card typically comes with a promotional, low, or zero percent interest rate, which lasts usually 12-18, but in some cases could go for 24 months.

North Dakota business owners may get help with their debt, too. North Dakota businesses that have been operating since at least March and have lost a minimum of 20% of their revenue due to the pandemic are eligible for the Debt Forgiveness Program. They can apply through their local banks to receive up to $50,000.00 to buy down interest paid or accrued from April 1 to Sept. 30 on debt, working capital loans, and lines of credit. Interest paid or accrued on shareholder or owner debt is not eligible for the program.

Are there homeowner grants for bills?

The government or other available grant programs can provide financial aid to help pay for housing, rent, utilities, medical supplies, or even transportation costs. There are resources for low-income families, single mothers, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and their families, the unemployed, the underemployed, and others in need. Residents of North Dakota impacted by the Covid-19 crisis may also use these programs. Many utility companies in North Dakota also have programs to assist low-income customers. These funds may help you pay your utility bills or lower the amount of energy you use. 

The North Dakota Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income families with home heating costs. This program is available all over the US. The LIHEAP program partially pays the cost of natural gas, electricity, propane, fuel oil, coal, wood, or other fuel sources. A household’s income must be at or below 60 percent of North Dakota’s median income. For more information find your Human Service Zones’ local offices at http://www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/countysocialserv/index.html or submit an application at the link: https://apps.nd.gov/itd/recmgmt/rm/stFrm/eforms/Doc/sfn00529.pdf.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services also administers a temporary Pandemic Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (P-LIHEAP) that will help qualifying families meet the cost of electric utility bills. It’s a one-time payment of $460.00. To qualify, a household must have participated in the state’s regular heating assistance program through the heating season. For registration, contact the Department Human Services’ Economic Assistance Program at 701-328-3513, 711 (TTY) or visit dhseap@nd.gov.

North Dakotans may also get financial aid from the General Assistance Program. This is an emergency assistance program intended to meet the basic maintenance needs of families in financial crisis, disabled adults, and the burial of deceased poor persons. Households can only receive General Assistance for one month in a calendar year unless all household members are elderly, disabled, or working with Foster Care staff to regain custody of their children.

Homeowners are not the only North Dakota residents that receive financial help with their bills. If you are having trouble paying your rent, the ND Rent Help can provide temporary rental assistance to eligible renters who are experiencing a loss of household income due to COVID-19. These rent payments are made directly to qualifying renters’ housing providers. Eligible households are residents earning up to 80% of area median income, and at risk of homelessness or housing instability due to difficulty affording housing and related costs. Priority is given to households earning 50% AMI or less, and those that include a member who is currently unemployed and has been unemployed for 90 days or longer. If you need this sort of financial assistance, apply using the following link: 

https://portalapps.nd.gov/dhsps/emergency-rent/.

Are there tax grants for homeowners?

Although there are no specific tax grants for homeowners, there are cases in which you can get help with your debt to the IRS. North Dakota offers property tax relief programs for the permanent residence of qualified homeowners., including senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans.

The Homestead Tax Credit Program is available to people at least 65 years old or permanently and totally disabled. The total amount of the credit depends on your annual income, and your total household income cannot exceed $42,000.00 after deducting out-of-pocket medical expenses. Qualified homeowners receive a credit to reduce property taxes on their home and qualified renters receive a partial refund of their rent.   

https://download.fargond.gov/0/homestead_app.pdf.

In North Dakota, a disabled veteran may qualify for a Property Tax Credit For Disabled Veterans on the veteran’s homestead. The applicant must be a disabled veteran of the United States armed forces with an armed force service-connected disability of 50 percent or greater. The applicant could also be a disabled veteran who has an extra-schedular rating to include individual unemployability that brings the veteran’s total disability rating to 100 percent as determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The credit equals the disabled veteran’s percentage of disability or unemployability rating applied to the first $8,100.00 of the taxable value of the disabled veteran’s homestead.

Family Member Care Tax Credit is also available to residents of North Dakota. According to the official site of the Office of State Tax Commissioner, if an individual has a qualifying family member for whom the individual paid qualified care expenses, the individual may be eligible for an income tax credit equal to a percentage of the qualified care expense payments. The credit percentage ranges from 20% to 30% and is dependent on the amount of the individual’s federal taxable income. The amount of the credit is reduced by the amount of the individual’s federal taxable income in excess of $50,000.00 ($70,000.00, if married filing jointly). The maximum credit allowed is $2,000.00 per qualifying family member, not to exceed $4,000.00.

How can I get a grant to repair my home?

Home repair grants and loans are NOT given to anyone and for any purpose. The best way to get a grant to repair your home is to meet all the required criteria, have all the necessary documents, and submit your application within the given deadline.

Each of these grants varies in income, age, type of repair necessary, and location of the property. Very low income and low-income families, families with children, single parents, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans have a primary position when it comes to approval. Repairing a home is a very broad subject and can cover many projects within. Unfortunately, not all of them are eligible for grant fundings. No one will give you free money if you don’t like the tiles in your bathroom or the color of your kitchen cabinets. Emergency repairs, including repairs addressing health and safety hazards, as well as home modifications that improve code violations are the only eligible repairs. Start by researching online on the available federal and state programs, then move to your county and city. Non-profit organizations, charities, and local churches also provide financial aid, volunteer labor, or discounted material you may use.

Keep in mind these funds are limited and they usually work on a first-come, first-served basis, so you want to be informed on time. Make sure you meet all the required criteria and you have all the necessary documents. Another fact you should know is that not all grants will be categorized specifically under home improvement needs. They may be related to broader themes such as conservation, community upgrades, veteran or low-income family support for all residents.

For convenience, search and apply for North Dakota home repair grants online. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in the City of Fargo, https://www.hud.gov/states/north_dakota/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/north_dakota/homeownership/homerepairs. HUD provides federal assistance to local administrations and organizations, such as the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) or the HOME Investment Partnership Program. 

As a state, North Dakota offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have two offices in North Dakota that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements: 

https://www.habitat.org/local/affiliate-by-state?state=ND.

There are also eight Community Action Agencies operating in North Dakota and they all offer all kinds of assistance to people in need through various grants for bills, employment services, education, job training, counseling, and other aid to low-income residents. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements: 

https://www.communityservices.nd.gov/lowincomeprograms/CommunityServicesBlockGrantCSBG/ActionAgencies/.

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, FirstLink – 211 is also a great place to start. FirstLink is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible for the 211 helplines. This is a live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists can be found in every state and they are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities. https://myfirstlink.org/

How can I get a grant for windows?

Grants are available in North Dakota to help with the cost of repairing or installing new windows if your current windows are cracked, broken, leaking, old, or inefficient. Window repair and replacement are considered an emergency repair and it is usually covered by all home improvement grant and loan programs.

The North Dakota Weatherization Assistance Program is a program whose services include reducing home energy and utility bills. Although WAP is not a home improvement program and will not cover the cost of new windows, it can still provide minor repairs that can save you up to $300.00 on your utility bills. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of North Dakota. To apply, use the link: https://www.benefitsapplication.com/program_info/ND/WAP

House improvement projects, including the repair or replacement of windows, can be covered by the Single-Family Housing Grant Program, administered by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency or NDHFA. This program addresses the housing rehab needs of lower-income individuals and families by providing grants to targeted community programs. Non-profit organizations such as Community Action Partnership Dickinson/Williston, Community Action Partnership Minot, Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency Devils Lake, and Red River Valley Community Action Grand Forks receive these funds and distribute them to their residents in need. Low-income homeowners from Fargo and West Fargo may use the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and apply for a 10-year loan at a 2.25% interest rate or a 15-year loan at a 3% interest rate. Clay and Cass County residents may get help from Rebuilding Together Fargo-Moorhead Area, a non-profit organization. Their Safe at Home and Handy-man Programs offer funds for window repair or replacement. 

If you are in need of such programs to repair or replace your windows, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. Contact the HUD office, the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the Community Action Agency in your area. 

How can I get a grant for new flooring?

A home improvement flooring project is a complex and very expensive project. Whatever your home flooring style, you’re sure to face a repair or replacement project if you live in your home for a long time or have moved into an older property. Luckily, low and moderate-income homeowners in North Dakota can reach their local government or visit their government official site and apply for a home improvement grant or a zero-interest loan. These grants and zero or low-interest loans offer partial or complete financial aid to eligible homeowners, and they can be used for fixing health and safety-critical issues, as well as emergency repairs. Start your research online for federal, state, county, or city programs that may help you partially or completely lower your home improvement project cost.

If you are living in a rural area in North Dakota and anywhere in the US, getting help for repairing or replacing your flooring, as well as addressing foundation repairs, is possible by the federal program Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504, a program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00. Grants can only be used to correct health and safety deficiencies on properties, and loans can be used in all home improvement projects. 

As a state, North Dakota offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency or NDHFA is a state agency that offers programs to finance low and moderate-income North Dakotans. One of the programs they administer is the Helping Housing Across North Dakota (HAND), available to households with incomes that do not exceed 80% of the area median income. There are seven Community Action Agencies operating in North Dakota and they all offer all kinds of assistance to cover the cost of your foundation repair or repair and replacement of flooring to people in need. Cities like Fargo and West Fargo can help you with the cost of your flooring improvement project through a Neighborhood Revitalization Program. 

If you are in need of such programs to repair or replace your flooring, as well as to address foundation repairs, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. Contact the HUD office, the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the Community Action Agency in your area.

Are there grants for the elderly?

Senior citizens living in North Dakota may get help from many federal, state, county, and city programs, as well as non-profit organizations and charities. This help can be in the form of home maintenance and minor repair services, transportation, assistive technology equipment, legal aid, food vouchers, and home-delivered meals, senior centers, caregiver counseling, and in-home respite care, etc. These assistance programs help the elderly, retirees, and older Americans, whether they have medical issues or not. 

The Older Americans Act (OAA) is a federal program that gives money to each state to provide assistance to elderly Americans who live outside of nursing homes. The goal is to help them remain living independently in their homes. Each local agency establishes a series of programs with the funds they have been granted. Any senior resident of North Dakota aged 60+ is eligible to receive some sort of assistance under the Older Americans Act. In most states, these programs provide services under different names, but in North Dakota, they are simply referred to as Older Americans Act Services. Visit the official site of the state of North Dakota and get informed on the ways you can get help: http://www.nd.gov/dhs/services/adultsaging/

North Dakota Senior Service Providers is made up of 30 non-profit agencies which provide services to senior citizens throughout the State of North Dakota.  These agencies operate in each of the 53 counties and four Native American Reservations in the state. Find home-delivered meals, transportation, legal assistance, chore services, nutrition education, and more through these agencies and get the help you need.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services funds and oversees Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) for the elderly and disabled. Clients are assessed by a case manager to determine if they are eligible for HCBS programs. The assessment includes both functional eligibility and financial eligibility. HCBS programs generally fall into two categories: health services and human services. They may offer a combination of both types of services and do not necessarily offer all services from either category.

Senior citizens living in a rural area in North Dakota and anywhere in the US can get help for repairing or replacing their home through the federal program Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504, a program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00. Grants can only be used to correct health and safety deficiencies on properties, and loans can be used in all home improvement projects. 

Individuals age 65 or older or an individual age 18 and older who is blind or disabled, who require services, are provided by a licensed basic care facility, and meet income guidelines are eligible for the Basic Care Assistance. The Basic Care Assistance Program helps qualifying individuals pay a portion of their cost for care while living in a licensed basic care facility. 

https://www.nd.gov/dhs/info/pubs/application.html

Public cash assistance and job training are also provided by TANF/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families as well as Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Programs. Cash assistance is offered for bills such as rent and food, and JOBS can assist with work readiness, job placement services, and training. 

Are there grants for low income homeowners?

There is a variety of financial assistance available when it comes to home improvement grants and loans in North Dakota. You may be eligible for all kinds of federal, state, county, or city grant programs. Some non-profit organizations and charities also help families in need, giving priority to low-income families with children, seniors, single parents, people with disabilities, and veterans and their families.

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency or NDHFA is a state agency that offers programs to finance low and moderate-income North Dakotans. One of the programs they administer is the Helping Housing Across North Dakota (HAND), available to households with incomes that do not exceed 80% of the area median income. This program addresses the housing rehab needs of lower-income individuals and families by providing grants to targeted community programs. The Rehab Accessibility Program (RAP) offers grant money for the renovation of properties occupied by lower-income North Dakotans with physical disabilities. Examples of qualifying improvements include, but are not limited to, ramps, door levers, walk-in/roll-in showers, grab bars, and widening doorways. These funds are available to households with incomes that do not exceed 80% of the area median income. A maximum of $4,000.00 may be awarded as a limit of one grant per single or multi-family property in a fiscal year.  The grant match requirement for this program is 25 percent. If you are interested and eligible for these funds, use the application below to apply for this program: 

https://www.ndhfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/RAPpackage7.21.pdf.

For more information on these programs, contact the agency at (701) 328-8080, (800) 292-8621, or hfaservicing@nd.gov. 

If you are living in a rural area in North Dakota and anywhere in the US, getting help for repairing or replacing your flooring, as well as addressing foundation repairs, is possible by the federal program Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504, a program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00. Grants can only be used to correct health and safety deficiencies on properties, and loans can be used in all home improvement projects. 

The Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) Home Rehabilitation Loan Program is available to low-income homeowners in the City of Fargo. This program offers loans that can range from $10,000.00 to $75,000.00, and have repayment options of 10 or 15 years with an APR as low as 2.59%. Funds may be used to address code and structural corrections, energy improvements, and general property improvements. Use the application at the following link to start your process and keep in mind that the deadline to apply for the 2021 NRI Program is October 31, 2021: https://download.fargond.gov/0/2021_nri_program_application.pdf.

The City of West Fargo also administers a Neighborhood Revitalization Program. This program offers low-interest loans and technical assistance to homeowners for major home improvement projects for existing homes. You can apply for a 10-year loan at a 2.25% interest rate or a 15-year loan at a 3% interest rate. The minimum amount of the loan is $10,000.00, and the maximum is $75,000.00. Eligible repairs include foundation work, exterior improvements including roofs and windows, major interior remodeling or replacement of major mechanical systems, such as an electrical system, and more. Apply at the link below:

https://www.westfargond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2629/City-of-West-Fargo-Neighborhood-Revitalization-Program-Home-Improvement-Loan-Application-PDF.

The New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation (NRABC) and the New Rockford City Commission have partnered to create a program that finances home improvement projects and new housing constructions. Apply for these funds at the link below:

https://www.cityofnewrockford.com/vertical/sites/%7B7CE4B930-E4CA-4809-8BE0-D57A95E050DE%7D/uploads/Housing_Incentive_Application_2019.pdf

There are seven Community Action Agencies operating in North Dakota and they all offer all kinds of assistance to people in need. The Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP) is part of a national network of Community Action Agencies that work together as America’s Poverty Fighting Network. They provide supportive housing programs to the elderly, disabled, low-income residents. Red River Valley Community Action, with offices in the City of Michigan and the City of Grand Forks, also offers a Housing Rehabilitation Program. This program is available to income-qualified homeowners to assist with housing improvements. 

https://rrvca.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Home-Rehab-Application1.pdf

Clay and Cass County residents may get help from Rebuilding Together Fargo-Moorhead Area, a non-profit organization. Their Safe at Home Program offers provides volunteer-delivered safety, fall prevention, and entrance access modifications for older adults or those living with a disability so that they can continue to live in safety and independence in their own homes. They also administer a Roof Program and provide roof repair and replacement. This organization can also help low-income residents with home improvement projects such as installing flooring, patching, painting, electrical, plumbing, and more through their Handy-man Program, as well as volunteer and contractor-delivered repair or replacement of essential systems such as HVAC, water heaters, green appliances, siding, windows, and weatherization through the Green Program. To apply online to any of these programs, use the following application:

https://rebuildingtogetherfma.secure.force.com/HomeownerApplication/

Eligible Morton County citizens may apply for a Housing Rehabilitation and Citizen Recovery Grant administered by Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response Committee.

http://burleighco.com/uploads/resources/477/burleigh-and-morton-grant-application-for-website.pdf. The Planning Division of the City of Bismark administers HUD grant programs for the City. The Community Development Block Grant Program and the HOME Investment Partnership Program are available to income-eligible residents for their housing rehabilitation projects. 

What are the easiest homeowner grants to get?

The easiest homeowner grants to get are those that have a solid foundation for requesting money, are well-thought-out, have a plan for the future, and are clear and concise in their goals and objectives. To obtain a grant, first, you look for an organization whose goals match what you need to have funded. Second, make sure you meet all the required criteria and you have all the necessary documents. All grants and loans vary by age, income, type of property, and the location of the property. These fundings are primarily available to low-income families, families with children, single parents, senior citizens, people with disabilities, veterans, and their families. Homeowners impacted by natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can also get financial aid for these types of grants.

For convenience, search and apply for North Dakota home repair grants online. To search or apply for grants, use the free, official website, Grants.gov. If you need such programs to repair your home, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. 

You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in the City of Fargo, https://www.hud.gov/states/north_dakota/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link:

 https://www.hud.gov/states/north_dakota/homeownership/homerepairs. HUD provides federal assistance to local administrations and organizations, such as the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) or the HOME Investment Partnership Program. 

As a state, North Dakota offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have two offices in North Dakota that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements: 

https://www.habitat.org/local/affiliate-by-state?state=ND.

There are also eight Community Action Agencies operating in North Dakota and they all offer all kinds of assistance to people in need through grants for bills, employment services, education, and other aid to low-income. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements: 

https://www.communityservices.nd.gov/lowincomeprograms/CommunityServicesBlockGrantCSBG/ActionAgencies/.

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, FirstLink – 211 is also a great place to start. FirstLink is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible in North Dakota for the 211 helplines. This is a live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists can be found in every state and they are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities. https://myfirstlink.org/

Keep in mind, there are no “easy” grants to get. There is a reason these funds are only available to people meeting all the required criteria. They are here to help people in need live in homes without code violations and health and safety hazards.

Can I get a grant to renovate my house?

House renovation grants in North Dakota and any other state are available to applicants but ONLY if you need an emergency modification in your home to remove life-threatening health or safety conditions, as well as addressing code violations. You also must meet the required criteria and have all the necessary documents to apply for these funds. A grant to renovate your house is not available to anyone and for any purpose. There must be a solid foundation for requesting these funds. Very low and low-income homeowners, low-income families with children, single parents, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities are usually eligible to receive these funds. Homeowners impacted by natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can also get financial aid from these types of grants.

For convenience, look for North Dakota home repair grants online. To search or apply, use the free, official website, Grants.gov. If you need such programs to repair your home, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in the City of Fargo, https://www.hud.gov/states/north_dakota/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link:

https://www.hud.gov/states/north_dakota/homeownership/homerepairs.

As a state, North Dakota offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have two offices in North Dakota that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements: 

https://www.habitat.org/local/affiliate-by-state?state=ND.

There are also eight Community Action Agencies operating in North Dakota and they all offer all kinds of assistance to people in need through grants for bills, employment services, education, and other aid to low-income. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements: 

https://www.communityservices.nd.gov/lowincomeprograms/CommunityServicesBlockGrantCSBG/ActionAgencies/.

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, FirstLink – 211 is also a great place to start. FirstLink is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible in North Dakota for the 211 helplines. This is a live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists can be found in every state and they are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities. https://myfirstlink.org/

Can I get a grant to repair my roof?

Repairing or replacing your roof is an expensive cost, but leaking and damaged roofs can present a hazard for you and your family. What may seem like a simple leak could wind up costing you thousands of dollars in repair costs. All roofs eventually break down and need replacement, no matter the type of material or how well they were maintained. There are several options in which you can get financial aid from federal and state agencies for a complete or partial replacement and repair. As a state, North Dakota offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. North Dakota home improvement grants and zero-interest loans are available to low-income homeowners to reduce the cost of their emergency repairs that present safety and health hazards, including problems with damaged and leaking roofs. These grants are usually administered at a local level by governments and agencies.

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency or NDHFA offers the Helping Housing Across North Dakota (HAND), available to households with incomes that do not exceed 80% of the area median income. The City of West Fargo administers a Neighborhood Revitalization Program, that can offer a 10-year loan at a 2.25% interest rate or a 15-year loan at a 3% interest rate. The minimum amount of the loan is $10,000.00, and the maximum is $75,000.00. Eligible repairs include roof repair and replacement. The City of Fargo also offers a Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) Home Rehabilitation Loan Program to their low-income residents. A Roof Program that provides roof repair and replacement.is administered by the Rebuilding Together Fargo-Moorhead Area, a non-profit organization. 

If you are in need and eligible for such programs to partially or completely cover the cost of your roof repair or roof replacement project, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. Contact the HUD office, the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the Community Action Agency in your area.

How do I apply for a federal home repair grant?

There are several places you can find available federal home improvement grants. The United States government has 26 agencies in charge of making grants. In addition to federal grants, some states have grant programs. Locate and contact your local government office. Government representatives, there will be able to advise you about eligibility requirements and other necessary criteria for applying for a grant. To search or apply for grants, you can also use the free, official website, Grants.gov. First, you have to register an account on this site. Then, you can search their site for their available grants and apply.  

Besides meeting the required criteria and applying within the deadline, it is very important to have ALL the necessary documents. For example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD provides all kinds of housing support and helps communities. If you live in a rural area, then you might be interested in The Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program – Section 504. Applicants interested in applying for a repair loan or grant can contact their local Rural Development office and provide the following documentation:

•  Form RD 410-4 (https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD410-4.PDF), 
• Form RD 3550-1 (https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD3550-1.PDF), 
• Form RD 3550-4
• (https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD3550-4.PDF), and 
• All application items are listed in the Attachment 12-E checklist (https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD-SFH-Attachment12E.pdf). 

The applications are accepted year-round and their approval time depends on funding availability in your area. 

How does HUD mortgage assistance work?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides housing grants to low-income families. These grants help families pay for rent, purchase or even rehabilitate a home. HUD also allocates grant funds to local governments and nonprofit agencies so they can develop their affordable housing program in their communities. HUD-approved counseling agencies are available in every state to help you find a housing grant in an area near you.

The approved housing agencies in North Dakota can be found at their site:  

https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=ND

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also funds an Emergency Homeowners Loan Program or EHLP, that provides mortgage help and loans to those homeowners who may be facing foreclosure due to a drop in household income from a job loss, underemployment, or reduction in working hours, involuntary unemployment, or a medical condition or emergency. 

To qualify for this program you must fit certain criteria such as:

• You must be at least three months behind on their monthly mortgage payment,
• The home involved must be your primary residence,
• You must have demonstrated a timely payment record on their mortgage before the job loss or medical condition or event that produced the reduction of income for the homeowner.

If you are struggling to make your mortgage payment on your FHA-insured mortgage because of the impacts of COVID-19, you might get help from the Special COVID-19 mortgage relief for homeowners with FHA-insured single-family mortgages. Your mortgage servicer is required to offer you a mortgage payment forbearance, which allows you to reduce or pause making payments for six months, with the option to extend for an additional six months if needed. You must request a COVID-19 Forbearance from your mortgage servicer by June 30, 2021, and no extra fees, penalties, or interest will be added to your account. If you can resume making your payments, FHA’s COVID-19 Standalone Partial Claim takes your past due amounts and puts them in a subordinate lien to be repaid later. You will only repay this lien when your mortgage ends, which, for most borrowers, is when you sell your home or refinance your mortgage.

Is the mortgage relief program legit?

Fannie Mae’s HIRO program and Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance or FMERR are the only active relief programs today. They provide mortgage incentives by replacing your existing loan with a new loan that has a lower interest rate and more affordable payments.

Fannie Mae’s HIRO program can be used only by homeowners whose mortgages are currently owned by Fannie Mae. This program allows homeowners to refinance with no equity or an underwater loan. If your home has lost value since you bought it and you don’t have enough equity to do regular refinance, then this is a great option. You can’t apply to this program if you previously used the Home Affordable Refinance Program or HARP, which was a similar project by Fannie Mae that expired.

Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance program can be used for existing fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages. This program is intended to refinance into a more sustainable mortgage that promotes long-term homeownership success, to reduce the monthly principal and interest payment of your first Lien Mortgage, as well as if you are interested in potentially reducing principal and interest payment. Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance program is only available to homeowners whose mortgages are currently owned by Freddie Mac.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemics, there is also a Covid-19 Mortgage Relief Program. The COVID hardship forbearance applies to all federally backed and federally sponsored mortgages, which includes HUD/FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac mortgage loans. The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) directed lenders holding federally-backed mortgages to suspend borrowers’ payments for up to a maximum of 360 days if they had experienced financial hardship due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Landlords of multi-family property mortgages can also receive relief. The CARES Act allows a 30-day forbearance for multi-family mortgages, and up to two 30-day extensions. You can apply for forbearance through Sept. 30, 2021, and will not be charged late fees or reported to credit bureaus. 

Is there a grant for rewiring a house?

A home electrical wiring is an expensive project and you may be eligible for a grant to partially or completely cover the cost. There are several options in which you can get financial aid from federal and state agencies for rewiring your house. Some of these funds can only be used in electrical system repairs and upgrades, others include a new rewiring of your home. North Dakota home improvement grants and zero-interest loans are available to low-income homeowners to reduce the cost of their emergency repairs that present safety and health hazards, including problems with the electrical system. These grants are usually administered at a local level by governments and agencies.

As a state, North Dakota offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency or NDHFA administers the Helping Housing Across North Dakota (HAND) and provides help to households with incomes that do not exceed 80% of the area median income. Electrical rewiring may also be covered by the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) Home Rehabilitation Loan Program in the City of Fargo. This program offers loans that can range from $10,000.00 to $75,000.00, and have repayment options of 10 or 15 years with an APR as low as 2.59%. Clay and Cass County residents may get help from Rebuilding Together Fargo-Moorhead Area, a non-profit organization. Their Safe at Home and Handy-man Programs are available to cover this home improvement project cost.

If you are in need and eligible for such programs to partially or completely cover the cost of your electrical system upgrade, repair, or replacement, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements and see if you qualify. Contact the HUD office, the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the Community Action Agency in your area.

What is the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program?

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) offers individuals the Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance Program (DCA). With this program, the NDHFA aims to help low-income, first-time homebuyers meet their out-of-pocket cash requirements. Through the DCA program, NDHFA provides low-income buyers with affordable mortgage loans that include down payment and closing cost assistance.

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) also created the Start Program to help make the home purchasing process more affordable for low- to moderate-income homebuyers. With this program, income-eligible individuals can apply for home mortgages that come with a down payment and closing cost assistance. The purpose of this program is to make funds available to eligible applicants who are interested in purchasing a home but need financial help to pay the upfront costs, which include the down payment, as well as the closing costs and prepaid items required to obtain homeownership.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemics, there is also a Covid-19 Mortgage Relief Program. With the CARES ACT, US residents have the right to obtain a 180-day pause in paying their mortgage or temporarily lower mortgage payments if they are a borrower on a federally backed mortgage loan and affirm that they are experiencing financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 emergency. This program is called mortgage forbearance or mortgage relief. The CARES Act also protects them from some negative information on their credit report because of any mortgage relief or assistance related to the COVID-19 emergency. 

Emergency Financial Assistance provides help to veterans and covers their mortgages, rents, and utilities. The Military Heroes Fund Emergency Financial Assistance Program offers financial assistance for wounded, ill, and injured post 9-11 veterans who are experiencing an unexpected short-term financial setback. The Foundation will assist up to three (3) months of past due payment, not including late fees with a limit of $5000.00. For more information on this program and its documents and eligibility requirements, use militaryheroes@penfed.org.

What is a request for mortgage assistance?

A Request for Mortgage Assistance or RMA is the application you have to fill out to be considered for a mortgage loan modification. With a mortgage modification, you can permanently change one or more terms of your mortgage loan. This includes getting a lower interest rate, some or all late fees may be waived or reduced, your interest rate may be changed from an adjustable-rate loan to a fixed rate, the months or years the homeowner has to repay the loan may be lengthened, total loan principal may be reduced, as well as your second mortgage or equity loan could be waived.

https://www.hmpadmin.com/portal/programs/docs/hamp_borrower/rma_english_sd1110.pdf

This form requires detailed information about the borrower’s current financial situation. The information provided will allow the mortgage lender to determine the filer’s eligibility for mortgage assistance. This form includes your current income, debts, expenses, employment, bankruptcies, and other issues that will help the lender determine if you are eligible for mortgage assistance.

In the USA, modifications were made under the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program or HAMP.  

To qualify for this program you must have fit certain criteria such as:

• You are having trouble making your mortgage payments because of financial hardship,
• You obtained your mortgage on or before January 1, 2009,
• Your property has not been condemned,
• You owe up to $728,750.00 on your primary residence or one to four-unit rental property.

Who can get a home improvement grant?

Low and moderate-income families, seniors, veterans, single parents, disabled people, people impacted by Covid 19, as well as people impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods can get home improvement grants or zero-interest loans. In the case of home improvement grants, funds are available to help homeowners renovate their homes, and bringing them up to health and safety standards. You can apply to these federal, state, or local grants and loans, charities, community agencies, and nonprofit organizations and get the help you need. 

The biggest part of the eligibility to these programs is the household income. Assistance will usually be provided to families or individuals who are living in occupied single-family homes, or mobile homes and whose combined total household annual income does not exceed certain income thresholds. Every program has different criteria and provides different amounts of funding. By law, these rules must not discriminate against you because of your age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. 

These grant programs are primarily directed at very low and low-income homeowners who might not be approved by a bank for funding. Eligibility requirements vary by the grant. For the most part, grants will have requirements depending on the homeowner’s income, their location, and the projects the money can be used on. To search or apply for grants, use the free, official website, Grants.gov. Determining your eligibility for federal grants is an important first step in the federal grant application process.