Grants for Homeowners in Washington DC

How can I get a home improvement grant in the District of Columbia?

There are plenty of home improvement and support programs in the greater Washington DC metro area. Home improvement or home repair grants as well as zero-interest loans in this or any other state in the US are available to low and moderate-income homeowners, renters, and lenders. There are some home improvement and support programs in the District of Columbia whose funds may primarily be used by low-income families with children, low-income single parents, low-income senior citizens, veterans, and disabled people. The process until applicants are approved can be long and requires providing a large amount of 100% accurate information. 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 if you need such funds. 

For convenience, search and apply for District of Columbia home repair grants online. You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD’s District of Columbia Field Office, https://www.hud.gov/states/district_of_columbia/offices,  or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/district_of_columbia/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. These programs provide funds to income-eligible homeowners for home repairs, improvements, and modifications.

The District of Columbia offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have an office in Washington DC that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials from their Restores. You can visit their official sites, and contact a local 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=DC.   

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Answers, Please! is also a great place to start. It is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible for the 211 helplines in the District of Columbia. 211 Answers, Please! is a free service that links District residents to government and community programs that can help. The 211 database contains detailed descriptions of programs and services available to residents of the District of Columbia that are provided by local community groups, social service and health-related agencies, government organizations, and others. 211 Answers, Please! also provides assistance in 140 languages on its multilingual language line. By dialing 2-1-1 or visiting the website from anywhere in the District of Columbia, people are linked to information about local resources, from both government and nonprofit agencies. https://answersplease.dc.gov/ 

Rebuilding Together is another non profit organization with an affiliate in the District of Columbia. Rebuilding Together DC • Alexandria creates healthy neighborhoods for residents in Washington, DC and Alexandria, Virginia. This organization is supported by the DC Department of Aging and Community Living. For more information, visit their official site: 

Home

How can I get a solar grant in the District of Columbia?

The District of Columbia has plenty of incentives for the purchase and installation of solar production equipment. The average residential electricity rates in Washington DC or the District of Columbia are 13.78 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is only slightly above the US national average. The District of Columbia offers some 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, The District of Columbia offers some additional incentives for going solar, depending on where you live and who your utility company is. 

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. As of November 2021, the average solar panel cost in Washington D.C. is $3.31/W. Given a solar panel system size of 5 kilowatts (kW), an average solar installation in Washington D.C. ranges in cost from $14,068.00 to $19,032.00, with the average gross price for solar in Washington D.C. coming in at $16,550.00. You can apply for this credit on your taxes when purchasing solar systems and installing 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.

The Renewable Portfolio Standard Expansion Amendment Act of 2016 established the District’s Solar for All Program. The Act intends to increase the amount of solar generated within the District, providing the benefits of locally-generated solar energy to low- to moderate- income households, small businesses, nonprofits, and seniors. Solar for All’s overall mission is to provide the benefits of solar electricity to 100,000 low- to moderate- income households, by reducing their electric bills by 50% by 2032. Eligible District residents can participate in Solar for All through the single family solar or community solar programs if their household income is at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) threshold. Online applications for this program can be found on the following link:https://octo.quickbase.com/db/bpe669g3t?a=nwr&ifv=1.

The Solar Advantage Plus Program is a truly incredible and unique incentive for eligible low-income D.C. residents. This first-come, first-served rebate program provides qualified applications with up to $10,000.00 to cover the full cost of a 3kW to 4kW solar system. Not only will participants own the system and the energy it produces, but they will also be able to cash in the SRECs discussed above.

In the District of Columbia, Net Metering is currently available to residential and commercial customer-generators with systems powered by renewable-energy sources, combined heat and power (CHP), fuel cells and microturbines. Effective January 1, 2021, systems must be sized to provide no more than 140% of the customer’s historical 12-month usage. This limit will increase by 20 percentage points annually until 2024 when systems can be sized to provide no more than 200% of the customer’s historical 12-month usage. 

With a home solar system in D.C., you may be eligible to earn SRECs, also known as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), to make money for every kWh of solar energy you create. Under D.C. law, a solar renewable energy credit (SREC), is equivalent to one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity derived from an eligible solar resource. Electricity suppliers must purchase SRECs in order to meet their compliance obligations under the law, or pay a Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) for any shortfalls in SREC purchases.

Solar Energy System Property Tax Exemption is also available in the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia Council created a personal property tax exemption for solar energy systems and cogeneration systems within the District. Owners who install systems on their own property do not have to pay the personal property tax imposed, but rather pay a real property tax at a much lower rate. 

How can I get a debt grant?

Dealing with various debts in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis is not easy. Whether you have become unemployed or underemployed as a result of the pandemics, there are federal and state resources you may use to lower your debt. Although getting a grant that will completely cover all of your debts is NOT available, there are still several other options in the District of Columbia to consolidate and lower them. This state offers financial assistance for bills, rent, and mortgage to income-eligible residents. 

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 District of Columbia you may contact:

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

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, reducing the interest rate on your credit, and creating 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 making 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.

Are there homeowner grants for bills?

The government or other available grant programs can provide financial aid to help pay for housing, mortgage, 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 the District of Columbia impacted by the Covid-19 crisis may also use these programs. Many utility companies in the District of Columbia also have programs to assist low-income customers. LIEAP pays only one benefit per year. These funds may help you pay your utility bills or give you a discount and lower the amount of energy you use.

The District of Columbia Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a Federally-funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills. LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of health and safety problems. The District of Columbia LIHEAP program may be able to offer you one or more of the following types of assistance: bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, and weatherization and energy-related home repairs.  Eligible households may receive energy bill assistance between $250.00 and $1,800.00 as a one-time regular energy assistance benefit. This benefit is based on household size, total household income, heating source, and type of dwelling. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the District of Columbia and you must need financial assistance with home energy costs.

The Utility Discount Program (UDP) assists low-income District residents reduce their utility costs. Eligible customers may receive a discount of up to $475.00 per year on their electric bill ($300.00 per year if non-electric heat). District residents can visit the Department of Energy and the Environment website at doee.dc.gov to apply online or calling 3-1-1 to schedule an in-person appointment.

The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) helps eligible customers pay for a portion of their current electric bill. The Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) program helps customers with large, past due electric and gas bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000.00 towards their past due bill. The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is designed to help low-income families during the heating season. Information regarding these programs can be found on the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs website or by calling 1-800-332-6347.

The District’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides cash assistance to families in need, along with a suite of services to facilitate their path to success. Families enrolled in the District’s TANF program may receive benefits so long as they are income eligible and have a child in the home. The maximum income a family can have per application and still qualify for TANF depends on the family size and child care costs. If you are in need of such funds, visit the following link and check your availability:

https://districtdirect.dc.gov/ua/eligibility/benefit-selection

Households that meet low-income guidelines or receive public benefits, may enroll in the LifeLine program, where they may apply for discounts on their cellular or home telephone bills. This program is available in every state, to low-income service users with a household income of 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The LifeLine Program provides a discount of up to $9.25 a month.

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. The District of Columbia offers property programs for the permanent residence of qualified homeowners, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans. 

The DC Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a special tax break, based on the federal EITC, designed specifically for low- and moderate-income workers. People who qualify for the EITC will pay less in taxes or even get cash back. To be eligible for the EITC, applicants must be a District resident, between the ages of 18 and 30, a parent of a minor child who does not live with the taxpayer, and a court has ordered the taxpayer to make child care support payments.

Eligible homeowners, including non-profit organizations and shared equity investors, may receive up to five-year Tax Abatement and be exempt from paying recordation and transfer taxes. The five-year period for the Lower Income Home Ownership Tax Abatement begins on October 1, after your deed has been recorded and you have previously applied for the abatement. If you qualify, submit a Lower Income/Shared Equity Home Ownership Exemption Application and Claim for Exemption from Real Property Recordation and Transfer Tax when you record your deed. 

The Individual Income Tax Credit reduces the DC individual income tax liability of eligible homeowners and renters by up to $750. If your household’s total income is $20,000 or less, you may be eligible. To apply, file a Schedule H (Property Tax Credit Form) with your Form D-40 (Individual Income Tax Return). 

Tax relief in the District of Columbia is also available to senior citizens. Once a DC resident reaches the age of 65, they can file an application for Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief. If the adjusted gross income of the household is less than $134,550, they will be eligible for significant tax relief. Specifically, the property tax owed will be reduced by 50 percent.

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. The process until applicants are approved can be long and requires providing a large amount of 100% accurate information.

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 home repair, home rehabilitation, community upgrades, low-income family support for all residents. If you require such programs to renovate your home and make it a safe place to live, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. Contact the HUD’s District of Columbia Field Office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the  Habitat for Humanity in Washington.

How can I get a grant for windows?

Grants are available in the District of Columbia 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 emergency repair and it is usually covered by all home improvement grant and loan programs.

The District of Columbia Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Health and Human Services, provides low-income residents technical and financial assistance to help reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy-efficient. WAP performs energy audits and installs audit-recommended energy efficiency measures to help families maintain energy-efficient, safe, and healthy homes. In the District, WAP is administered through selected Community-Based Organizations and nonprofits that hire local contractors to install the energy efficiency measures recommended by the energy audit. Typical weatherization measures may include: insulation, duct sealing, heating and cooling systems repairs or replacement, air infiltration mitigation; and reducing electric base load consumption through measures such as energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and energy star appliances. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the District of Columbia. 

The cost of new windows and repairing damaged/broken ones can be covered by the Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP). This program  offers low-interest loans or grants to repair houses owned by DC residents. A Home Repair Program is also administered by the Habitat for Humanity of Washington DC. This Program is partnering with the DC Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) to address DC’s affordable housing crisis by providing critical repairs to low-income residents. If you are a District of Columbia resident that owns a historic home, you may be eligible for the Historic Homeowner Grant Program. Eligible repairs include major structural repairs or restore architecturally significant elements on the exterior, including windows.

If you need 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’s District of Columbia Field Office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the  Habitat for Humanity in Washington.

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 the District of Columbia 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.

New flooring, or repairing damaged floors and foundation are all eligible projects that can be covered by the Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP). This program offers low-interest loans or grants to repair houses owned by DC residents to reduce city building codes violations, to fix items that may threaten health or safety, and minimize accessibility barriers. A Home Repair Program is also administered by the Habitat for Humanity of Washington DC. If you are a District of Columbia resident that owns a historic home, you may be eligible for the Historic Homeowner Grant Program. Eligible repairs include major structural repairs or restore architecturally significant elements on the exterior, including porches. 

If you need 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’s District of Columbia Field Office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the  Habitat for Humanity in Washington.

Are there grants for the elderly?

Senior citizens living in the District of Columbia 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.

A Home Repair Program is also administered by the Habitat for Humanity of Washington DC. This Program is partnering with the DC Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) to address DC’s affordable housing crisis by providing critical repairs to low-income residents. The Safe at Home program helps senior citizens and other residents with disabilities reduce the risk of falls in partnership with DACL. DC Habitat works with occupational therapists to install grab bars, stairlifts, and many other modifications that allow families to stay safely in their homes. Eligible applicants include district residents, age 60 and over, or adults with disabilities, age 18 and over, who are homeowners or renters of a property used as a primary residence, with an annual household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). 

The Older Americans Act (OAA) is a federal program that gives money to each state to assist 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 the District of Columbia aged 60 and above 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 the District of Columbia, they are referred to as Area Agencies on Aging. The Administration on Aging is established by the Older Americans Act as a separate agency under the Department of Health and Human Services Visit the official site of the District of Columbia Care Planning Council and get informed on the ways you can get help. https://www.longtermcarelink.net/contact.htm 

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 the District of Columbia. 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 eligibility requirements on these funds vary on income, age, type of property, as well as the location of the property. 

The Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP) offers low-interest loans or grants to repair houses owned by DC residents to reduce city building codes violations, to fix items that may threaten health or safety, and minimize accessibility barriers. It’s administered by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and selected community-based organizations provide intake for the application. Under the Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP), DHCD provides grants, not to exceed a total of $50,000, to the household. The program provides funding for two of the following grant programs:

• A roof repair grant of up to $20,000.00 to replace the roof. This grant pays for exterior roofing and gutter work only.
• An accessibility improvement grant of up to $30,000.00 for accessibility modifications needed to adjust most physical barriers within a home for persons with mobility or other physical impairments. 

For seniors 62 years or older, the first $10,000.00 of a loan can be permanently deferred. Loans and grants can be combined but cannot exceed $75,000.00 and applicants must be income qualified. Eligible applicants must own and live in their homes as their primary residence for at least 3 years, be current on all District and federal taxes, have a credit report that shows current payments on all mortgages for the last 12 months, possess current homeowners insurance, and meet the household income limits. Online applications for this program can be found at the following link:

https://dhcd.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dhcd/page_content/attachments/SFRRP%20Application%20-%2009.2020%20v2.pdf

A Home Repair Program is also administered by the Habitat for Humanity of Washington DC. This Program is partnering with the DC Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) to address DC’s affordable housing crisis by providing critical repairs to low-income residents. The Safe at Home program helps senior citizens and other residents with disabilities reduce the risk of falls in partnership with DACL. DC Habitat works with occupational therapists to install grab bars, stairlifts, and many other modifications that allow families to stay safely in their homes. Eligible applicants include district residents, age 60 and over, or adults with disabilities, age 18 and over, who are homeowners or renters of a property used as a primary residence, with an annual household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). 

A Historic Homeowner Grant Program is administered by the Office of Planning. The grants from the program, for low- and moderate-income homeowners in various historic districts around the city, provide up to $25,000.00 for repairs. The eligible historic districts are Shaw, Takoma Park, U Street, Fourteenth Street, Capitol Hill, LeDroit Park, Mount Vernon Square, Mount Vernon Triangle, Blagden Alley/Naylor Court, the Strivers’ Section, and Mount Pleasant. Depending on the household income level, the applicant may be required to match the grant award, paying up to 25 percent of the cost of the project for those in the middle income bracket (15 percent in Anacostia), or 50 percent for those in the highest eligible income bracket (40 percent in Anacostia). Grants are also awarded under the condition that any work done with grant funds must remain intact for a minimum of five years. Eligible repairs include major structural repairs or restore architecturally significant elements on the exterior, including windows, doors, ornamentation, porches, and original materials.

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.

The District of Columbia has different programs available to help their low and moderate-income residents. For convenience, search and apply for DC 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. Contact the HUD’s District of Columbia Field Office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the  Habitat for Humanity in Washington.

Keep in mind, there are NO “easy” grants to get. The process until applicants are approved can be long and requires providing a large amount of 100% accurate information. Income limitations are one of the most important factors when applying. 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?

There are plenty of available home renovation grants in the District of Columbia. These grants are available to applicants ONLY if you need an emergency modification in your home to remove life-threatening health or safety conditions, as well as address 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, search and apply for District of Columbia home repair grants online. You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD’s District of Columbia Field Office, https://www.hud.gov/states/district_of_columbia/offices,  or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/district_of_columbia/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. These programs provide funds to income-eligible homeowners for home repairs, improvements, and modifications.

The District of Columbia offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have an office in Washington DC that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials from their Restores. You can visit their official sites, and contact a local 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=DC.   

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Answers, Please! is also a great place to start. It is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible for the 211 helplines in the District of Columbia. 211 Answers, Please! is a free service that links District residents to government and community programs that can help. The 211 database contains detailed descriptions of programs and services available to residents of the District of Columbia that are provided by local community groups, social service and health-related agencies, government organizations, and others. 211 Answers, Please! also provides assistance in 140 languages on its multilingual language line. By dialing 2-1-1 or visiting the website from anywhere in the District of Columbia, people are linked to information about local resources, from both government and nonprofit agencies. https://answersplease.dc.gov/ 

Rebuilding Together is another non profit organization with an affiliate in the District of Columbia. Rebuilding Together DC • Alexandria creates healthy neighborhoods for residents in Washington, DC and Alexandria, Virginia. This organization is supported by the DC Department of Aging and Community Living. For more information, visit their official site: 

Home

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. The District of Columbia offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. The District of Columbia 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.

Roof repair and roof replacement are both eligible projects that can be covered by the Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP). This program offers low-interest loans or grants to repair houses owned by DC residents. A roof repair grant of up to $20,000.00 is available to replace the roof. This grant pays for exterior roofing and gutter work only. A Home Repair Program is also administered by the Habitat for Humanity of Washington DC. If you are a District of Columbia resident that owns a historic home, you may be eligible for the Historic Homeowner Grant Program. Eligible repairs include major structural repairs or restore architecturally significant elements on the exterior.

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’s District of Columbia Field Office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the  Habitat for Humanity in Washington.

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 Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants – 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 Montana can be found at their site:  

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

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. The District of Columbia 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. Grants cover the costs of the rewiring projects, which include labor expenses, equipment, and supply purchases.

Rewiring your house, making electrical upgrades and fixing a non-functional electrical system are all eligible projects that can be covered by the Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP). This program offers low-interest loans or grants to repair houses owned by DC residents. Under the Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP), DHCD provides grants, not to exceed a total of $50,000, to the household. A Home Repair Program is also administered by the Habitat for Humanity of Washington DC. If you are a District of Columbia resident that owns a historic home, you may be eligible for the Historic Homeowner Grant Program.

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’s District of Columbia Field Office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the  Habitat for Humanity in Washington.

What is the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program?

The DC MAP (Mortgage Assistance Program) COVID-19 provides financial assistance commencing with April 1, 2020 payments of monthly mortgage principal, interest,  escrowed property taxes, escrowed homeowners insurance, escrowed monthly mortgage insurance, condominium fees or homeowners association fees, past late fees due commencing with April 1, 2020 payment, and current late fees for those District homeowners who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 causing a loss of income. The financial assistance will be made to qualified homeowners in the form of a zero-interest, recourse loan, secured by a deed of trust with a maximum monthly assistance amount of $5,000.00 per month (first trust mortgage payment) for each homeowner for up to 6 months, subject to monthly certification attesting to the need for on-going assistance; subject to available funding.

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 in the District of Columbia 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 correct code violations and bring 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. Contact the HUD office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the Habitat for Humanity in your area.