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How can I get a home improvement grant in Louisiana?
Home improvement or home repair grants and zero-interest loans in Louisiana or any other state in the US are available to low and moderate-income homeowners, renters, and lenders. There are over 40 home improvement and support programs in Louisiana, most of which are in New Orleans. 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 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.
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For convenience, search and apply for Louisiana home repair grants online. You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD’s official office, found in the city of New Orleans, https://www.hud.gov/states/louisiana/offices, or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/louisiana/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, Louisiana offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have 10 offices in Louisiana 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=LA
Rebuilding Together is another non-profit organization that has affiliates all over the US, including three in the state of Louisiana, New Orleans, Acadiana, and Baton Rouge. These organizations administer programs that help low income homeowners, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans. https://rebuildingtogether.org/find-your-local-affiliate
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If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, Louisiana 2-1-1 is also a great place to start. 2-1-1 Louisiana is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible in Louisiana 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:
How can I get a solar grant in Louisiana?
Louisiana has plenty of sunshine, but not enough incentives that are favorable for solar power. A lot of homes and businesses in this state started getting their power from solar panels. Louisiana 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, Louisiana offers 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. Louisiana’s average cost of a solar panel installation ranges from $12,538.00 to $16,962.00. On a cost per watt ($/W) basis, a solar panel installation in Louisiana ranges in price from $2.51 to $3.39. 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.
Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) is a program administered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. Through this program, homeowners can apply for a five-year loan if they decide to go solar or conduct other energy efficiency measures on their properties. DNR will finance half of the improvements at two percent interest, up to a maximum of $6,000.00 on the DNR portion. To participate in the HELP loan program you must be a current resident of the State of Louisiana, and the property on which the improvements are to be made must also be located in Louisiana. There are two ways homeowners can qualify for HELP low-interest home improvement loans. They can have an energy rating conducted on their home or they can choose from a list of pre-approved improvements.
Net metering is also available in Louisiana. This solar incentive allows you to store energy in the electric grid. When your solar panels produce excess power, that energy is sent to the grid and in exchange, you can pull from the grid when your system is under-producing like during nighttime.
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 debt is NOT available, there are still several other options in Louisiana to consolidate and lower your debts. This state also 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 state of Louisiana you may contact:
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.
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 Louisiana impacted by the Covid-19 crisis may also use these programs. Many utility companies in Louisiana also have programs to assist low-income customers. These funds may help you pay your utility bills or give you a discount and lower the amount of energy you use.
The Louisiana Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that helps eligible Louisiana families, seniors, and individuals pay a portion of their home energy bills. Eligibility is based on several factors, including household income, household size, and heating costs. This program provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations. Operating by the Louisiana Housing Corporation, the program provides assistance to households across the state to help lower the burden incurred with monthly energy costs. The LIHEAP program may provide bill payment assistance and/or energy crisis assistance. A household income of at least 60% of the Area Median Income is required. You can only apply for LIHEAP once each program year. Find your local provider on the following link if you are interested and eligible for this program:
Families with children in Louisiana can receive financial aid from the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP). This program is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. To be eligible for this program, applicants have to be Louisiana residents, and a US citizen, legal alien and a qualified alien. They also must be unemployed or underemployed, have a child 18 years of age or younger, or be pregnant, or be 18 years of age or younger and the head of your household. The average grant in Louisiana is $222.00 per month.
Covid – 19: Energy Bill Payment Assistance is a program that provides a $600.00 benefit to individuals who are experiencing difficulty paying their electric and/or gas utility bills as a result of the Covid-19 pandemics. There are Community Action Agencies all over Louisiana where income eligible residents can apply for these funds. https://www.lhc.la.gov/providers
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. Louisiana offers property tax relief programs for the permanent residence of qualified homeowners, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Homeowners who are 65 years or older, or who have a permanent disability, or are the surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces or Louisiana National Guard killed in action, missing in action, or a prisoner of war may be able to “freeze” the assessed value at which their home is assessed if they meet certain conditions. The homeowner must have a homestead exemption applied to the property for which they are seeking the special assessment level and must meet certain income requirements.
Tax Relief in Louisiana is also available to homeowners impacted by severe storms and flooding. Individuals and households affected by severe storms and flooding that reside or have a business in Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Lafourche and Lafayette Parishes qualify for tax relief.
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 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 office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.
How can I get a grant for windows?
Grants are available in Louisiana 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 Louisiana Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to help residents of Louisiana overcome the high cost of energy by making their homes more energy-efficient. This program is available all over the US. 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 on your utility bills. This program (WAP) is 100% federally funded through a grant from the Federal Department of Energy. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Louisiana. The services are for low-income households, particularly for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and families with children. The program is available to both homeowners and renters and it is administered by the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) through a network of local agencies.Agencies include community action agencies, housing authorities, local governments and other non-profit organizations. To find your local agency, use the link:
Window repair and replacement is an eligible project that can be covered by the Housing Preservation Grants, also administered by the Louisiana Housing Corporation. Window repair is also an eligible project that can be covered by the home repair services operated by the Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Jefferson Parish administers an Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program to help low-income homeowners of Jefferson Parish and offers forgivable loans up to $60,000.00. The City of Bossier also administers a Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Program and an Emergency Housing Rehabilitation Program that offer help to homeowners with a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.
If you are living in a rural area in Louisiana and anywhere in the US, getting help for repairing or replacing your windows 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.
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 office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together 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 Louisiana 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.
Damaged foundations and floorings are eligible improvements that can be covered by the Housing Preservation Grants up to $6,500.00, operated by the Louisiana Housing Corporation. Non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity provide services like handicap accessibility modifications, wheelchair ramps, and sidewalk repairs, to low-income Louisianians. The City of New Orleans has launched a deferred forgivable loan program that provides up to $35,000.00 to eligible City of New Orleans homeowners for health and safety repairs like damaged flooring. The City of Bossier administers a Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Program and an Emergency Housing Rehabilitation Program, and Shreveport residents may use funds from their Emergency Repair Program. The City of Shreveport also administers a Major Systems Repair Program, that covers the cost of foundation repair (pier and beam only).
If you are living in a rural area in the state of Louisiana 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.
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 office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.
Are there grants for the elderly?
Senior citizens living in Louisiana 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 Louisiana Department of Human Services and the statewide network of Area Agencies on Aging assist older residents of Louisiana with a range of services and sources of information. Each local agency establishes a series of programs with the funds they have been granted. Any senior resident of Louisiana aged 60 and above is eligible to receive some sort of assistance under the Older Americans Act. 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. Visit the official site of the state of Louisiana or one of the many Area Agencies on Aging and get informed on the ways you can get help:
http://goea.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=directory&tmp=category&catid=38&pnid=0&nid=24
If you are living in a rural area anywhere in the US, getting help for repairing your home is possible by the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504. 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.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is a program administered by the Volunteers of America Southeast Louisina that offers seniors a variety of community service opportunities. This is a national service program, which works to match volunteers, age 55 and older, with local volunteer opportunities at partner agencies (i.e., hospitals, food banks, government buildings, community centers and senior centers, military posts, and faith-based locations).
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 Louisiana. 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.
Louisiana Housing Corporation gives Housing Preservation Grants up to $6,500.00 to repair or rehabilitate housing for low and very low-income rural homeowners who reside in the following Parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Ibervillle, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge. Eligible improvements include electrical wiring, roof repairs, HVAC repairs, plumbing system repairs, and Handicap Accessibility Features.
Non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity have their affiliates in all US to help income-eligible homeowners. Their Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge administers a Critical Home Repair Program and provides assistance to homeowners within the city limits of Baton Rouge. Eligible improvements for this program include disability accessibility modifications (wheelchair ramps, grab bars, and handrails), various exterior repairs (doors, windows, porches) and other health and safety home repairs.
Habitat for Humanity New Orleans Area offers home repair services like the A Brush With Kindness Program that provides help with exterior painting, exterior handicap ramps and other accessibility needs, minor exterior repairs, yard clean-up and landscaping, and sidewalk repairs.
Rebuilding Together New Orleans is another non-profit organization that provides services for low-income residents in Orleans Parish, with a priority given to people aged 60 and above, people with disabilities, and military veterans. Their Safe At Home Program offers repairs like wheelchair ramps, steps, landings, handrails, bathroom and kitchen repairs, widening doorways, and more. The Energy Efficiency Program provides improvements like sealing air leaks, weatherizing doors, insulating attics, and glaze windows. This organization has other two affiliates in Louisiana, in Baton Rouge, and Acadiana. If interested and eligible for any of these programs, fill out the Online Intake Form at the following link:
The City of New Orleans has launched a deferred forgivable loan program that provides up to $35,000.00 to eligible City of New Orleans homeowners for health and safety repairs on their home. The loan will be for 10 years at a 0 percent interest rate with payments deferred and forgiven until the earlier of loan maturity, sale, transfer of ownership, or failure to maintain the property as the primary residence during the 10-year term. Senior households aged 55+, military veterans, disabled head of household and those who have been in their homes for 15-plus years will have priority in the program.
Jefferson Parish administers an Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program to help low-income homeowners of Jefferson Parish (excluding residents of the City of Kenner). Forgivable loans up to $60,000.00 are available to cover critical health and safety repairs, with a priority given to senior citizens aged 62 and above, and people with disabilities.
The City of Baton Rouge assists in rebuilding homes after they have been flooded. Eligible improvements are painting, floor coverings, installation of vinyl or aluminum siding, replacing or repairing water heaters, replacing or repairing electrical systems, gas line works, sewer line works, and more.
City of Alexandria residents may use funds from the Lead-Safe Housing Program up to $14,000.00 to remediate lead-based paint hazards from homes and rental units built before 1978 in the City of Alexandria and occupied by children and pregnant women, and to vacant units that will be affirmatively marketed as family-friendly, lead-safe rentals.
Volunteers of America Southern Louisiana may also help low-income homeowners and people with disabilities through their Repairs on Wheels Program. Minor home repairs include fixing locks, carpentry, plumbing, window work and other small jobs. The program serves low-income homeowners and persons with disabilities in Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Tammany and St. John parishes as well as the City of Kenner.
The City of Bossier also administers a Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Program that offers help to homeowners with a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. According to their official site, eligible properties include any single-family dwelling unit occupied for one year as a principal residence by the owner and family, including a dwelling that is a duplex unit, in which the 1 unit of the dwelling is an eligible property. The property value after rehab must not exceed the current 203 (b) mortgage limit for the area/type of property being assisted. This City also administers an Emergency Housing Rehabilitation Program to address home improvements that present a threat to life, health, safety, or code violation.
Shreveport is another city that helps income-eligible homeowners with their home improvements through various programs. Their Emergency Repair Program offers up to $5,000.00 to single-family, owner-occupied properties located within the Shreveport City limits. Eligible repairs include sewer line breaks, fresh water line breaks, gas line breaks and leaks, water heaters, unsafe or inoperable heating systems, and more. Major Systems Repair Program is another option that addresses repairs to the major systems in a house that is reasonably stable, but have inoperable or failing systems (i.e.: electrical, roof, heating ventilation, air conditioning, foundation (pier and beam only), inclusive of floor joists, seals, leveling, and sub-floor repairs).
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.
States, like Louisiana, have different programs available to help their low and moderate-income residents. For convenience, search and apply for Louisiana 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 office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.
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 state of Louisiana. 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 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, search and apply for Louisiana home repair grants online. You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD’s official office, found in the city of New Orleans, https://www.hud.gov/states/louisiana/offices, or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/louisiana/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, Louisiana offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have 10 offices in Louisiana 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=LA
Rebuilding Together is another non-profit organization that has affiliates all over the US, including three in the state of Louisiana, New Orleans, Acadiana, and Baton Rouge. These organizations administer programs that help low income homeowners, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans. https://rebuildingtogether.org/find-your-local-affiliate
If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, Louisiana 2-1-1 is also a great place to start. 2-1-1 Louisiana is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible in Louisiana 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:
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, Louisiana offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Louisiana 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 cost of your roof repair or replacement can be partially or completely covered by the Housing Preservation Grants, administered by the Louisiana Housing Corporation. Jefferson Parish administers an Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program to help low-income homeowners of Jefferson Parish with their roof improvement projects. Residents of the City of Bossier use funds from the Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Program and the Emergency Housing Rehabilitation Program this city offers. A Major Systems Repair Program can be found in the City of Shreveport and covers the cost of roof repair and replacement.
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, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together 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 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 Louisiana can be found at their site:
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. Louisiana 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.
The Housing Preservation Grants, operated by the Louisiana Housing Corporation, can cover the cost of repairing an electrical system, or rewiring a house. Jefferson Parish also administers an Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program to help low-income homeowners of Jefferson Parish with their electrical system improvements. The City of Baton Rouge assists in rebuilding homes after they have been flooded. Eligible improvements are replacing or repairing electrical systems. The City of Bossier also administers a Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Program and an Emergency Housing Rehabilitation Program. Shreveport residents may use funds from the Emergency Repair Program and the Major Systems Repair Program that addresses repairs to the major systems in a house, such as the electrical system.
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, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.
What is the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program?
Although the Covid-19 Housing Assistance Program is no longer taking applications, there are other available options that help homeowners facing foreclosure. Most homeowners can temporarily pause or reduce their mortgage payments if they’re struggling financially. You can find more information about the foreclosure process in Louisiana at the following link:
The City of New Orleans also administered a mortgage assistance program to help landlords whose rental income has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemics. This Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program (SLEG) was available to applicants who are the primary owner and the applicant’s property must not be a seasonal or short-term rental.
The JeffCAP-Housing Emergency Rental & Mortgage Financial Assistance Program provides crisis assistance for eligible, low-income individuals and families in urgent need. Services include assistance with delinquent rental or mortgage payments to landlords, property management companies, or mortgage servicers. Assistance is dependent on available funding at the time of the individual’s application. This financial assistance is limited, and it is available on a first-comes, first-served basis. In addition to financial assistance, clients are provided with a one-on-one consultation.
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.
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 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 or Rebuilding Together in your area.