Grants for Homeowners in Maine

How can I get a home improvement grant in Maine?

There are plenty of home improvement and support programs in Maine, most of which are in Portland. 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 Maine 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 Maine home repair grants online. You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD’s Bangor Field Office, https://www.hud.gov/states/maine/offices, or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/maine/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.

As a state, Maine offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have 8 offices in the State of Maine 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=ME.  

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, Maine 2-1-1 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 Maine. Maine 2-1-1 helpline is Maine’s only comprehensive, community information and referral helpline. This live telephone service is available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists can be found in every state and they are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities: https://211maine.org/. 

How can I get a solar grant in Maine?

Maine is a sunny state with some policies in place that favor solar power. The State’s electric rates rank 10th out of the fifty states. Maine 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, Maine 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. The average cost of a solar panel installation in Maine ranges from $11,730.00 to $15,870.00. On a cost per watt ($/W) basis, a solar panel installation in Maine ranges in price from $2.35 to $3.17. 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.

Maine offers a state grant program administered by the Public Utilities Commission for non-profits, rural electric cooperative, and quasi-municipal corporations and districts. The amount of the grant varies by the project, with a maximum amount of $50,000. The state’s rebate program offers a maximum rebate of $2000 for purchase and installation of photovoltaic systems, and $1000 for solar-thermal systems. This rebate is available to all residential and commercial, nonprofit, schools, institutions, governments, agricultural and institutional sectors.

Maine has extremely strong RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standards).  This is a regulation that requires utilities to increase their production of energy from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal by a certain date. Utilities must meet the standards by either producing their own renewable energy or by purchasing it from customers.

Maine offers great net metering laws. Net metering is a system in which solar panels or other renewable energy generators are connected to a public-utility power grid and surplus power is transferred into the grid, allowing customers to offset the cost of power drawn from the utility.  When you generate electricity from your solar array for your home or business, it reduces the amount of energy you purchase from your electric utility.  It also lowers your monthly electricity bills.  If your system produces more energy than you need, the excess power is sold back to the grid.  That amount of energy is deducted from your monthly bill or credited toward a future bill.

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 Maine 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 state of Maine you may contact:

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

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 Maine impacted by the Covid-19 crisis may also use these programs. Many utility companies in Maine also have programs to assist low-income customers. LIHEAP 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 Maine Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides money to low income homeowners and renters to help pay heating costs. Eleven Community Action Programs distribute the funds throughout Maine, in most cases directly to the fuel vendors. The program is not intended to pay for all heating costs, but to assist in paying the heating bills. LIHEAP is Federally funded through the Department of Health and Human Services. The Federal government establishes funding levels annually. LIHEAP is targeted to low and very low income Maine homeowners and renters.

Maine Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – TANF provides cash assistance to families while they work towards becoming self-sufficient. Once enrolled in TANF you may also be eligible for help receiving job training and education. The My Maine Connection portal also offers a prescreening tool that can help you find out if you may be eligible:

https://apps1.web.maine.gov/benefits/account/login.html

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?

The State of Maine provides a measure of property tax relief through different programs to qualified individuals. While some are applied at a local level, others may be applied for through the Income Tax Division. Although there are no specific tax grants for homeowners, there are cases in which you can get help with your debt to the IRS. Maine offers property tax relief programs for the permanent residence of qualified homeowners, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans.

The Homestead Exemption provides a measure of property tax relief for certain individuals that have owned homestead property in Maine for at least 12 months and make the property they occupy on April 1 their permanent residence. Property owners would receive an exemption of $25,000.00. The homestead exemption application is available at most municipalities or you may download the application on the Homestead Exemptions page. 

https://www.maine.gov/revenue/sites/maine.gov.revenue/files/inline-files/homesteadapp.pdf

The Veteran Exemption is available to veterans who served during a recognized war period and is 62 years or older; or, is receiving 100% disability as a Veteran; or, became 100% disabled while serving, is eligible for $6,000.00. Applications for this exemption can be found at the following link:

https://www.maine.gov/revenue/sites/maine.gov.revenue/files/inline-files/veteranapp_0.pdf

The Portland Senior Tax Equity Program (P-Step) provides tax relief to low-income seniors in Portland by providing property tax or rent rebates for qualified applicants. To qualify, applicants must be 62 years of age or older with a homestead in Portland. Applicants must also have received a Maine Property Tax Fairness Credit in the tax year prior to the P-STEP application.

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 office, visit the state’s official site, call 2-1-1 or get in touch with the Habitat for Humanity in your area.

How can I get a grant for windows?

Grants are available in Maine 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.

MaineHousing’s Weatherization Program provides grants to low-income homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency. Weatherization improvements may include insulation, weather-stripping, caulking, and some safety-related repairs. Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) grants may be used to repair or replace central heating systems. You may be eligible to receive Weatherization assistance if your household is eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), or your home is in good structural condition.

Window repair and replacement can be covered by the Homeowner Rehab Program if you are a resident of the City of Auburn. The Emergency Repair Program in Auburn also assists homeowners whose home has serious health and safety housing conditions. The City of Lewiston also administers a Housing Rehabilitation Program and provides assistance with window repair and replacement. MaineHousing’s Home Accessibility and Repair Program provides help to low-income homeowners who cannot afford necessary home repairs in the form of a grant. To be eligible for a Home Accessibility and Repair grant you must have owned and lived in the home that will be renovated or repaired for at least one (1) year prior to applying and have a household income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI).

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 Maine 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 and repairing damaged ones can be covered by the Homeowner Rehab Program if you are a resident of the City of Auburn. The Emergency Repair Program here also assists homeowners whose home has serious health and safety housing conditions. The City of Lewiston also administers a Housing Rehabilitation Program and provides assistance with flooring repair and replacement. MaineHousing’s Home Accessibility and Repair Program provides help to low-income homeowners who cannot afford necessary home repairs in the form of a grant. To be eligible for a Home Accessibility and Repair grant you must have owned and lived in the home that will be renovated or repaired for at least one (1) year prior to applying and have a household income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI).

If you are living in a rural area in the state of Maine 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 in your area.

Are there grants for the elderly?

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

The Older Americans Act (OAA) is a federal program that gives money to each state to 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 Maine 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 Maine, 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 Maine Care Planning Council and get informed on the ways you can get help. https://www.longtermcarelink.net/contact.htm 

The Portland Senior Tax Equity Program (P-Step) provides tax relief to low-income seniors in Portland by providing property tax or rent rebates for qualified applicants. To qualify, applicants must be 62 years of age or older with a homestead in Portland. Applicants must also have received a Maine Property Tax Fairness Credit in the tax year prior to the P-STEP application.

If you are a senior living in a rural area in the state of Maine 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.

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 Maine. 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 City of Auburn administers a number of programs to help property owners make needed repairs to their homes or apartment buildings. The Homeowner Rehab Program assists homeowners, citywide whose income is less than 80% of area median income, with improvements to their home. The goal of the Housing Rehabilitation Program is to improve the quality of housing by eliminating substandard housing conditions and upgrading the property. The Housing Rehabilitation Program is funded by the Community Development Block Grant Program. The property may be an owner-occupied, investor-owned, or owned by a non-profit agency. A low- to moderate-income (LMI) household must occupy a structure with one unit. Maximum loan assistance is $35,000.00 per unit. Eligible improvements include architectural and engineering services, structural repairs, energy improvements, elimination of lead paint hazards, weatherization, accessibility for disabled persons, repair or replacement of major housing systems, repair of code violations, general property improvements of a non-luxury nature, repair of retaining walls, utility connections, and more. Applications can be found at the following link: https://www.auburnmaine.gov/CMSContent/CDBG/Rehab%20Application.pdf.

The Emergency Repair Program in Auburn also assists homeowners whose home has serious health and safety housing conditions. Interest rates are based on household income. The maximum loan amount is $25,000.00. The property may be an owner-occupied, investor-owned, or owned by a non-profit agency. A low- to moderate-income (LMI) household must occupy a structure with one unit. Funds must be used to repair/replace a major system such as roof repair, furnaces, septic or sewer hookup, hot water heater or public utility service lines, electrical repairs to correct a safety hazard, and more. 

https://www.auburnmaine.gov/CMSContent/CDBG/Rehab%20Application.pdf

The City of Lewiston also administers a Housing Rehabilitation Program and provides services with funds from the Economic and Community Development Department. These funds are given to applicants that are at or below 80% of Median Family Income (MFI) on some level. 

Income-eligible residents of the City of Portland can use funds from the Lead-Safe Housing Program. This program is designed to diminish the risk of poisoning to children less than six years of age. Loans are available both in rental and owner occupied housing where low to moderate income families reside. Priority is given to families with a lead poisoned child and those with a child at risk. Owner occupant household income cannot exceed 80% of the median income for the Greater Portland area.

https://www.portlandmaine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7848/Application–2014CCHC11172014?bidId=

MaineHousing’s Home Accessibility and Repair Program provides help to low-income homeowners who cannot afford necessary home repairs in the form of a grant. For eligible homeowners, the Maine Home Accessibility and Repair Program can assist with such things as well repairs or replacements, heating and electrical system repairs, roof and chimney repairs, structural repairs, lead paint mitigation, repair or replacement of windows and doors, energy efficiency improvements, repair or replacement of siding, improvements necessary to permit use by persons with disabilities or who are experiencing physical barriers living at the home, and more. To be eligible for a Home Accessibility and Repair grant you must have owned and lived in the home that will be renovated or repaired for at least one (1) year prior to applying and have a household income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI).

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 Maine, have different programs available to help their low and moderate-income residents. For convenience, search and apply for Maine 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 official Maine office, visit the state’s official site, call the 24-hour live telephone service 2-1-1 or get in touch with non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity 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 Maine. 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 Maine home repair grants online. You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD’s Bangor Field Office, https://www.hud.gov/states/maine/offices, or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/maine/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.

As a state, Maine offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have 8 offices in the State of Maine 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=ME.  

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, Maine 2-1-1 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 Maine. Maine 2-1-1 helpline is Maine’s only comprehensive, community information and referral helpline. This live telephone service is available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists can be found in every state and they are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities: https://211maine.org/. 

Can I get a grant to repair my roof?

Repairing or replacing your roof is an expensive cost, but leaking and damaged roofs can present a hazard for you and your family. What may seem like a simple leak could wind up costing you thousands of dollars in repair costs. All roofs eventually break down and need replacement, no matter the type of material or how well they were maintained. There are several options in which you can get financial aid from federal and state agencies for a complete or partial replacement and repair. As a state, Maine offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Maine 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 can be covered by the Homeowner Rehab Program if you are a resident of the City of Auburn. The Emergency Repair Program in Auburn also assists homeowners whose home has serious health and safety housing conditions. The City of Lewiston also administers a Housing Rehabilitation Program and provides assistance with roof repair and roof replacement. MaineHousing’s Home Accessibility and Repair Program provides help to low-income homeowners who cannot afford necessary home repairs in the form of a grant. To be eligible for a Home Accessibility and Repair grant you must have owned and lived in the home that will be renovated or repaired for at least one (1) year prior to applying and have a household income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI).

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 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 Maine can be found at their site:  

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

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. Maine 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.

New wiring, getting electrical upgrades and fixing non operable electrical systems can be covered by the Homeowner Rehab Program if you are a resident of the City of Auburn. The Emergency Repair Program in Auburn also assists homeowners whose home has serious health and safety housing conditions. The City of Lewiston also administers a Housing Rehabilitation Program and provides assistance with electrical system repair and replacement. MaineHousing’s Home Accessibility and Repair Program provides help to low-income homeowners who cannot afford necessary home repairs in the form of a grant. To be eligible for a Home Accessibility and Repair grant you must have owned and lived in the home that will be renovated or repaired for at least one (1) year prior to applying and have a household income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI).

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 in your area.

What is the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program?

Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund, or Maine HAF provides  assistance to low- to moderate-income and socially disadvantaged homeowners statewide who can show they have been economically impacted by the Covid pandemic. The online application will allow income-eligible homeowners to request funds for overdue mortgage payments, utility payments and municipal tax payments. Visit the following link if you have any questions about these funds:

https://www.maine.gov/pfr/consumercredit/homeowner_assistance_fund/questions.html

If you are a MaineHousing borrower and cannot make payments because you have lost your job, you may qualify for Maine HOPE, the HomeOwnership Protection for unEmployment plan. This program may be available to assist you by making four of your MaineHousing mortgage payments, including taxes and homeowners insurance. The amount paid becomes a junior mortgage lien, with no interest. The lien is repaid when you pay off your MaineHousing mortgage or stop using the home as your primary residence. 

What is a request for mortgage assistance?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who can get a home improvement grant?

Low and moderate-income families, seniors, veterans, single parents, disabled people, people impacted by Covid 19, as well as people impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods can get home improvement grants or zero-interest loans. In the case of home improvement grants, funds are available to help homeowners renovate their homes, and 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.