Grants for Homeowners in New Hampshire

How can I get a home improvement grant in New Hampshire?

There are 15 home improvement and support programs in New Hampshire, most of which are in Manchester. 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire home repair grants online. You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD’s Manchester Field Office, https://www.hud.gov/states/new_hampshire/offices, or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/new_hampshire/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, New Hampshire offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have 9 offices in the State of New Hampshire 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=NH

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. 211 NH helpline is New Hampshire’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: 

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How can I get a solar grant in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has lots of sunshine and laws favorable for going solar. New Hampshire offers a lot of 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, New Hampshire offers some additional incentives for going solar, depending on where you live and who your utility company is. 

The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit or ITC is a federal policy that supports the use of solar energy in the USA. This policy represents a 26% tax credit claimed against the tax liability for solar systems on residential and commercial properties. As of November 2021, the average solar panel cost in New Hampshire is $3.13/W. Given a solar panel system size of 5 kilowatts (kW), an average solar installation in New Hampshire ranges in cost from $13,302.00 to $17,998.00, with the average gross price for solar in New Hampshire coming in at $15,650.00.  You can apply for this credit on your taxes when purchasing solar systems and installing them on your roofs.

The percentage that you can get is the following:

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

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

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

The Residential Renewable Electrical Generation Rebate Program offers rebates to qualifying NH residents who install photovoltaic (PV) or wind turbine electrical generation systems. Rebate levels are $.20 per watt of panel rated power up to $1,000.00, or 30% of the total facility cost, whichever is less. 

If you live in a city or town in New Hampshire that has adopted the Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption, purchasing a home solar system (thermal or photovoltaic) won’t increase your property taxes. Visit the following link to check if your municipality is one of them:

https://www.nh.gov/osi/energy/saving-energy/documents/solar-repte.pdf

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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire you may contact:

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

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 New Hampshire impacted by the Covid-19 crisis may also use these programs. Many utility companies in New Hampshire 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 Fuel Assistance Program is New Hampshire’s arm of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which is funded through the US Department of Health and Human Services. The New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) provide some relief for residents who are having trouble paying for heat during the winter season. The Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) contracts with six local Community Action Agencies (also known as CAAs) to provide service to eligible households. As funds become available, the Fuel Assistance Program provides benefits to qualified New Hampshire households to assist with heating costs. Renters and homeowners are eligible for the Fuel Assistance Program. To receive FAP (LIHEAP) benefits in New Hampshire, you will have to meet FAP eligibility requirements including income requirements. The best way to determine your eligibility for FAP is to apply for the benefits and let the program determine your eligibility. In most cases, you will be eligible for the FAP and Weatherization program in New Hampshire if you need income requirements.

The statewide Electric Assistance Program (EAP) provides qualifying customers with a discount on their monthly electric bill. The New Hampshire Legislature authorized funding for this statewide program as part of electric utility deregulation. All electric utility ratepayers support the statewide EAP through the System Benefits Charge (SBC) portion of their electric bill. The utilities are working with Community Action Agencies (CAAs) located throughout the state to identify and enroll eligible customers for the statewide EAP. The discount is based on the gross household income and the household size. Eligibility for the program is also determined by gross household income and household size.

The Financial Assistance to Needy Families Program (FANF) in New Hampshire provides cash assistance for a maximum of 60 months. FANF cash assistance is issued twice per month via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). In order to qualify for TANF benefits, applicants must be responsible for a child under 19 years of age with a total gross income under 185% of the poverty level. Pregnant women are also eligible during their 9-month pregnancy.

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. New Hampshire offers property tax relief programs for the permanent residence of qualified homeowners, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans.

The Low & Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program was designed to lessen the economic burden of the State Education Property Tax on certain at-risk taxpayers. According to their official site, an eligible applicant for the Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief is a person who is:

-Single with adjusted gross income equal to or less than $20,000; or

-Married or head of NH household with adjusted gross income less than or equal to $40,000;  and owns a homestead subject to the State Education Property Tax; and

-Has resided in that homestead on April 1 of the year for which the claim is made.

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

The state of New Hampshire’s Weatherization Program is designed to reduce household energy use and costs in the homes of low-income persons throughout the state by installing energy efficiency improvements. The overall goal of the Weatherization Program is to serve those low-income households that are most vulnerable to high-energy costs and who do not have the means of making cost-effective energy conservation improvements to their homes. This program provides grants to states, territories, and some Indian tribes to improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families. These governments, in turn, contract with local governments and nonprofit agencies to provide weatherization services to those in need using the latest technologies for home energy upgrades. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of New Hampshire. Preference is given to individuals over 60, individuals with disabilities, and families with children under six. 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. 

There aren’t plenty of window repair and replacement programs in the State of New Hampshire, so do your research. The City of Nashua administers Housing Improvement Programs (Rehab) offers 0% interest loans to correct code, safety, health or accessibility issues.  To qualify, applicants must reside at property, must be low-moderate income, and the property cannot be more than four units. The City of Manchester provides federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The NH Capital Region Habitat for Humanity administers a housing repair program called A Brush with Kindness. Eligible improvements include window repair.

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 New Hampshire 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.

There aren’t plenty of programs for new flooring or repairing damaged foundations in the State of New Hampshire, so do your research. The City of Nashua administers Housing Improvement Programs (Rehab) offers 0% interest loans to correct code, safety, health or accessibility issues. To qualify, applicants must reside at property, must be low-moderate income, and the property cannot be more than four units. The City of Manchester provides federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The NH Capital Region Habitat for Humanity administers a housing repair program called A Brush with Kindness. Eligible improvements include repairing damaged flooring that presents a hazard to the members of the household.

If you are living in a rural area in the state of New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire Care Planning Council and get informed on the ways you can get help. https://www.longtermcarelink.net/contact.htm 

Are there grants for low income homeowners?

There is a variety of financial assistance available when it comes to home improvement grants and loans in New Hampshire. 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. 

If you currently have a New Hampshire Housing mortgage and experience a repair emergency that is not covered by homeowners insurance, you may qualify for our Emergency Home Repair Loan (EHRL). You may qualify for up to $25,000.00, at an affordable interest rate, for up to a 15 year term, to handle a serious emergency. To qualify, there must be an emergency or other event that occurred in your home that was not covered by insurance and now affects the livability of your home.

The City of Nashua uses federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to make loans under this program as part of an overall effort by the City to improve older inner-city neighborhoods and preserve the supply of housing. This City administers Housing Improvement Programs (Rehab) offers 0% interest loans to correct code, safety, health or accessibility issues. Eligible repairs include roofs, electrical, plumbing, wheelchair ramps and more. Loans of up to $40,000.00 + $5,000.00 are available for each additional unit. To qualify, applicants must reside at property, must be low-moderate income, and the property cannot be more than four units. Mobile homes are not eligible for this program. Because of a federal mandate, the program benefits low-income households, including elderly and handicapped persons. Only low-income (by strict HUD definition at or below 80% of median area income) owner-occupants of 1-4 unit buildings are eligible to receive assistance.

The City of Manchester provides LEAD Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grants (LHRD). Financial assistance for housing activities in Manchester is primarily provided through the use of federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Federal funds include the Community Development Block Grant Program, the HOME Program and the Emergency Shelter Grant. 

The NH Capital Region Habitat for Humanity administers a housing repair program called A Brush with Kindness.  Habitat for Humanity’s A Brush with Kindness is a nation-wide program serving low-income homeowners who struggle to maintain their homes. Habitat for Humanity’s A Brush with Kindness uses volunteers, donated materials and no-interest loans to make repairs on homes, helping low-income homeowners continue to live independently and securely in their homes. Eligible improvements include interior and exterior painting, window repair, minor siding and trim repair, minor roof repair, board replacement in porch, stair or ramp, door replacement, landscaping, and more. 

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 New Hampshire, have different programs available to help their low and moderate-income residents. For convenience, search and apply for New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. 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 New Hampshire home repair grants online. You can also start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD’s Manchester Field Office, https://www.hud.gov/states/new_hampshire/offices, or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/new_hampshire/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, New Hampshire offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have 9 offices in the State of New Hampshire 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=NH

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. 211 NH helpline is New Hampshire’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: 

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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, New Hampshire offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. New Hampshire 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.

There aren’t plenty of programs for new roofs or repairing damaged and leaky roofs in the State of New Hampshire, so do your research. The City of Nashua administers Housing Improvement Programs (Rehab) offers 0% interest loans to correct code, safety, health or accessibility issues. To qualify, applicants must reside at property, must be low-moderate income, and the property cannot be more than four units. The City of Manchester provides federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The NH Capital Region Habitat for Humanity administers a housing repair program called A Brush with Kindness. Eligible improvements include minor repairing damaged roofs that present a hazard to the members of the household.

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 New Hampshire can be found at their site:  

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

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. New Hampshire 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.

There aren’t plenty of programs for new rewiring or repairing inoperable electrical systems in the State of New Hampshire, so do your research. The City of Nashua administers Housing Improvement Programs (Rehab) offers 0% interest loans to correct code, safety, health or accessibility issues. To qualify, applicants must reside at property, must be low-moderate income, and the property cannot be more than four units. The City of Manchester provides federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The NH Capital Region Habitat for Humanity administers a housing repair program called A Brush with Kindness. Eligible improvements include minor repair to damaged electrical systems that present a hazard to the members of the household.

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?

The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) provides financial assistance for New Hampshire homeowners who cannot pay their home mortgage, utilities, home insurance, association fees, and/or property taxes during the pandemic. The program is expected to be available through at least 2022. HAF is a federally funded homeowner assistance program through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR). It is administered by New Hampshire Housing, who will be accepting and processing applications.

Eligible homeowners must:

• Have experienced a COVID related reduction in income or increase in household expense after January 21, 2020.
• Own and occupy the property as their primary residence.
• Have incomes of less than 125% of Area Median Income.

HAF covers:

• Mortgage Loan Reinstatement – maximum benefit $20,000
• Property Charges Default Resolution – maximum benefit $20,000
• Utility/Internet Payment Assistance – maximum benefit $3,000.

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.