Grants for Homeowners in Ohio

How can I get a home improvement grant in Ohio?

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

For convenience, search and apply for Ohio home repair grants online. You can start by visiting your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD office https://www.hud.gov/states/ohio/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link:

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

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Ohio is also a great place to start. Visit their site or call 2-1-1 and get the information you need https://www.211oh.org/. 211 Ohio is a free, live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists 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.

One very important factor when applying is being informed on time, since most of them operate on a first come first served basis, and the funds are limited. Knowing where to start so you can begin the qualifying portion is your first goal. There is more than one place where you can get informed and apply for these funds. Also, keep in mind that not all grants will be categorized specifically under home improvement needs. They may be related to broader themes such as conservation, community upgrades, veteran or low-income family support for all residents.

How can I get a solar grant in Ohio?

Going solar in 2021 is essential for reducing carbon emissions by using renewable clean energy from the sun and lowering your monthly energy costs. There are currently 57 solar energy companies operating in Ohio. On average the state of Ohio receives about 4.3-kilowatt hours of sunlight per square meter, which is enough to justify solar. To help its citizens adopt renewable energy locally, the state has put into place numerous incentive programs to make solar power and other forms of renewables less expensive. 

Among them is the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). 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. These utilities must meet the standards by either producing their homebuyer renewable energy or by purchasing it from customers.  They must pay high fees if the standards are not met,  so rather than paying high fees, utilities in strong RPS states offer solar incentives to homeowners. Ohio’s RPS mandates that 12.5% of all energy must come from renewable sources by 2026.

Ohio does not offer state solar tax credits.  As a credit, you take the amount directly off your tax payment, rather than as a deduction from your taxable income. You can claim the credit for your primary residence, vacation home, and for either an existing structure or new construction.

Ohio offers Property Tax Exemptions for installed residential solar systems in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Commercial solar systems are exempt from property tax statewide. Property tax exemptions allow businesses and homeowners to exclude the added value of a system from the valuation of their property for taxation purposes.

Ohio also offers Sales Tax Exemptions. A sales tax exemption means that homeowners and businesses would not have to pay any state sales tax on their solar panel systems.  That is a 5.75% savings for Ohio home and business owners.  If you combine Ohio’s sales tax exemptions and the 30% Federal tax rebate, you will have a compelling reason to go solar in Ohio.

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 July 2021, the average solar panel cost in Ohio is $2.79/W. Given a solar panel system size of 5 kilowatts (kW), an average solar installation in Ohio ranges in cost from $11,858.00 to $16,042.00, with the average gross price for solar in Ohio coming in at $13,950.00. You can apply for this credit on your taxes when you purchase solar systems and install them on your roofs.

The percentage that you can get is the following:

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

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

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

How can I get a debt grant?

Although getting a grant that will cover your debt is not available, there are still several other options in Ohio to consolidate and lower your debts. While the government does not typically provide debt grants, it does 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 Ohio:

https://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/CC_Files/CC_Approved_Agencies_HTML/cc_ohio/cc_ohio.htm.

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

Another financial strategy to pay off your debts is through a Debt Consolidation Loan. This means getting a loan to pay off all of your debts and then make single monthly payments to your lender. The advantages are that debt consolidation loans usually carry a lower interest rate, and these loans usually take 2 to 5 years to repay, depending on the amount. The loans can be secured by a home, car, or property or 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 grants can provide financial aid to help pay for housing, rent, utilities, medical supplies, or even transportation costs. There are resources for low-income families, single mothers, the disabled, the unemployed, the underemployed, and others in need. Many utility companies in Ohio also have programs to assist low-income customers. These programs may help you pay your utility bills or lower the amount of energy you use. 

The Neighbor to Neighbor Program, administered by Dollar Energy Fund, provides eligible customers with a utility assistance grant applied directly to their AEP Ohio electric bill. This grant helps limited-income customers maintain or restore their basic electric service. Cooling assistance of up to $350.00 is available once per program year on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the financial challenges individuals and families may be experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, AEP Ohio is expanding eligibility for its Neighbor to Neighbor Utility Assistance Program. Customers with a total gross household income of more than 250% but less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines are eligible for a one-time $120.00 grant.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Service (OCS). It is designed to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating. HEAP provides a one-time payment for Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) regulated utility customers for the winter heating season. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must also have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below 60%  of the State Median Income. For more information on this program, call 1-800-282-0880.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) provides a payment arrangement for your utility bills based on a percentage of your household income. In this program, you pay a percentage of your income, then you receive a monthly benefit toward your utility bill, as well as a reduction in overdue payments. This program is available to customers of regulated gas and electric companies in Ohio. To be eligible for PIPP, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

Ohio Works First (OWF) is the financial assistance portion of Ohio’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. OWF provides cash benefits to eligible, needy families for up to 36 months. To be eligible for Ohio Works First, you must be a resident of Ohio, be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income, and have a child under 18, be pregnant, or you are a child 18 or younger and head of the household. For more information call 1-866-635-3748.

The state of Ohio, working with local Community Action Agencies, is temporarily helping eligible Ohioans who are behind on rent, mortgage, and water and/or sewer utility bills catch up on past payments back to April 1, 2020, through a Covid 19 – Related Temporary Program. Ohio households with an annual income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for assistance. For more information about these funds, and the documents and eligibility requirements, contact your local Community Action Agency.

Agency Directory

EnergyShare is an energy assistance program for anyone who faces financial hardships from unemployment or family crises. It is a heating assistance program that pays for Dominion Energy gas bills for customers in Ohio. Household income eligibility is up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

The Summer Crisis Program (SCP) is for electric utility assistance only and is for households that include a person 60 years and above, customers with a household member who has a qualifying medical condition, or households served by a non-regulated utility with a disconnect notice. The maximum amount for bill payment assistance and/or air conditioner is $300 for regulated utilities and $500.00 for non-regulated utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill, or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. To qualify for the Summer Crisis Program, households must be at or below a gross annual income of 175% of the federal poverty level. This year, households that were diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish a new service on their electric bill are also eligible for assistance.

Are there tax grants for homeowners?

Although there are no specific tax grants for homeowners, there are cases in which you can get help with your debt to the IRS. The Mortgage Tax Credit offers long-term savings and it’s one of the best first-time home buyer programs in Ohio. The program gives you a direct tax credit for a share of the mortgage interest you pay every year although the credit can’t be larger than your annual federal income tax bill after exemptions, deductions, and any other credits. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency’s Mortgage Tax Credit provides homebuyers with a direct federal tax credit on a portion of mortgage interest paid, which could provide up to a $2,000.00 tax savings per year.

A Community Reinvestment Area or CRA is a program authorized by the State of Ohio that allows a local government to offer real property tax abatements to incentivize new construction, expansion, and rehabilitation in areas where there is a demonstrated need for reinvestment. The Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) Program is a direct incentive tax exemption program benefiting property owners. If you are a business, homeowner, or landlord who would like to build, expand or substantially rehabilitate a building, a CRA real property tax abatement can result in significant annual savings to you over a period of 10-15 years.

The state of Ohio also grants property tax relief through a Homestead Exemption Program. This program is designed for low-income homeowners aged 65 and older, as well as disabled people and disabled military veterans. The benefit is fixed with a reduction of $25,000.00 in the market value of the homestead property. A disabled veteran in Ohio may receive a property tax exemption up to $50,000.00 of the market value on his/her primary residence if the veteran is 100 percent disabled as a result of service. If you are eligible for this program, use the application below to start your process:

https://www.loraincounty.com/auditor/cms/files/File/forms/homestead/2021/DTE%20105A%20Homestead%20Application.pdf

How can I get a grant to repair my home?

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

Each of these grants varies in income, age, type of repair necessary, and location. 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 wall color in your living room. Emergency repairs, including addressing health and safety hazards, as well as home modification that improves code violations are the 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 comes first-served basis, so you want to be informed on time. Make sure you meet all the required criteria and you have all the required documents. Another fact you should know is that not all grants will be categorized specifically under home improvement needs. They may be related to broader themes such as conservation, community upgrades, veteran or low-income family support for all residents.

For convenience, search and apply for Ohio home repair grants online. You can start by visiting your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD office https://www.hud.gov/states/ohio/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link:

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

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Ohio is also a great place to start. Visit their site or call 2-1-1 and get the information you need https://www.211oh.org/. 211 Ohio is a free, live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities.

How can I get a grant for windows?

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

The Ohio Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) is an energy efficiency program that helps low-income households in the state reduce their energy-related utility bills, by implementing energy efficiency measures in their homes. Weatherization to improve the energy efficiency of the home can include weather stripping, caulking, insulation, repairing or replacing windows and doors. These funds are available to homeowners and renters at/under the established 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Priority is given to Ohioans who are older than the age 60, those with disabilities, those with children in the home, and households with high energy usage and/or burden. You may use the following link to apply:

http://development.ohio.gov/files/is/HEAPApp.pdf

If you are living in a rural area in Ohio and anywhere in the US, getting help for repairing your home is possible by the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00.

Projects including installation of new windows, as well as repairing damaged windows, can be covered by programs such as Community Housing Improvement Program or CHIP, administered by the Ohio Regional Development Corporation. Their Owner Rehabilitation Program provides deferred loans up to but not exceeding $35,000.00 to low-income homeowners for the purpose of eliminating existing substandard housing conditions. Residents of Columbus can use funds from the Critical Home Repair Program to partially or completely lower the cost of replacement for their critically damaged windows. Residents of the City of Kent can use funds up to $30,000.00 through the Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program. These funds may be used in home improvement projects such as replacing old and outdated windows. If you are a low-income homeowner of a property located in Darke, Greene, Montgomery, or Preble County, the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership can offer you a couple of programs to help reduce the cost of energy-saving upgrades like adding insulation or storm windows.

If you are in need of such programs that will help partially or completely, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. For convenience, search and apply for Ohio home repair grants online. To search or apply for grants, use the free, official website, Grants.gov. You can also start by visiting your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD office https://www.hud.gov/states/ohio/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link:

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

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Ohio is also a great place to start. Visit their site or call 2-1-1 and get the information you need https://www.211oh.org/.

How can I get a grant for new flooring?

A home improvement flooring project is a complex and 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 Ohio can reach their local government or visit their government official site and apply for a home improvement grant. These grants offer partial or complete financial aid to eligible homeowners, and they can be used for health and safety issues, as well as emergency repairs. Start your research online for federal, state, county, or city programs that may help you partially or totally. 

If you are living in a rural area in Ohio and anywhere else in the US, getting help for repairing your home is possible by the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00.

If you are a low-income homeowner of a property located in Darke, Greene, Montgomery, or Preble County, the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership can offer you a couple of programs to help reduce the cost of your flooring. The Housing Assistant Grant and the Emergency Home Repair Program provide financial assistance to cover the cost of your home modifications projects. And if your home was hit and damaged by a tornado, a Disaster Reconstruction Program is also available. The city of Toledo offers an Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program that can help with the cost of repairing crumbling foundations. 

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

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

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Ohio is also a great place to start. Visit their site or call 2-1-1 and get the information you need https://www.211oh.org/.

Are there grants for the elderly?

Senior citizens living in Ohio 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 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 Ohio Department of Aging offers services and programs to assist older Ohioans. Most of these services are provided by the state’s Area Agencies on Aging. 

Modcon Living is a non-profit organization in Columbus, Ohio that offers programs that help with home improvement projects such as plumbing repairs, electrical repairs, painting services, home remodeling, etc. Their Safe At Home Program provides quality home modifications and emergency repairs for vulnerable seniors over the age of 60, disabled, and veteran homeowners living in Franklin County. 

Senior Homeowner Assistance Program (SHAP) provides grants to Cleveland residents age 60+ or disabled adults who meet income eligibility guidelines and own single or two-family homes in need of critical, health, safety, and maintenance repairs. Typical repairs are things like major plumbing or electrical work, porch repair, and roof replacement. The grant can only address one repair. For more information contact the Cleveland Department of Aging at (216) 664-2833.

The Cleveland Department of Aging has a program called Age-Friendly Home Investment Program to help low or moderate-income seniors age 60 years and older and adults with disabilities address one home maintenance or home repair need. 

The Chores Program assists seniors and disabled persons with minor repairs to their homes. These repairs must be for the safety or health of the senior or disabled person. Eligible applicants must be homeowners aged 60 or older and residents of the City of Columbus, with income at 80% or less or HUD area median income (AMI). The home repair must be $1,000.00 or less including supplies and labor and must be for the safety or health of the senior or disabled person.

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 Ohio. You may be eligible for all kinds of federal, state, county, or city grant programs. There are also non-profit organizations and charities that help families in need, giving priority to low-income families with children, seniors, single parents, people with disabilities, and veterans. As a state, Ohio offers one of the highest levels of support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike.

If you are living in a rural area in Ohio and anywhere else in the US, getting help for repairing your home is possible by the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00.

The Ohio Regional Development Corporation administers the Community Housing Improvement Program or CHIP and offers funds to rehabilitate a one-family housing unit, which is owned and occupied by low and moderate-income households. Eligible items for the Owner Rehabilitation Program include installation and/or repairs to foundations, roofs, gutters, electrical upgrades, plumbing, furnaces, hot water heaters, insulation, windows, doors, accessibility improvements, and lead-based paint abatement. This program provides deferred loans up to but not exceeding $35,000.00 to low-income homeowners for the purpose of eliminating existing substandard housing conditions. A Home Repair – Emergency Program is also available to cover the cost of emergency repairs, handicapped accessibility, tap-ins, well and septic repairs or replacements, and lead-based paint abatement. Eligible projects must not exceed the $8,000.00 program limit.

The Mid-Ohio Planning Regional Commission or MORPC offers home repair services to help low and moderate-income homeowners. MORPC is Central Ohio’s regional council for more than 70 members of counties, cities, villages, townships, and regional organizations. Their Franklin County Home Repair Program provides for health– and safety-related home repairs for homeowners living within Franklin County but outside the limits of the City of Columbus. You can use the link below to submit your application:

https://www.morpc.org/franklin-county-home-repair-application/

Franklin County residents can also use the Home Energy Efficiency Services if they are income-eligible or have a household income of 150-200% of the federal poverty guidelines. They can receive free services such as repair or replacement of their natural gas furnaces and water heaters, attic and sidewall insulation, air sealing, a full home energy inspection, etc. 

Some of the counties and cities in Ohio offer specific programs for their residents. The Emergency Repair Program provides funds for the immediate correction of an emergency condition that has been determined to present an imminent danger to the health and safety of the occupants of residential property in the City of Columbus. The repairs will be made primarily to mechanical systems: electrical, heating, and plumbing to include sewer repair. The maximum grant is up to $7,500.00 per household. Applicants must be owners and occupy the property, have an annual gross income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), be current on mortgage payments, current on bankruptcy payments and have no outstanding liens. For more information on this program, contact Home_Safe_and_Sound@columbus.gov.

The Critical Home Repair Program is another available option to get financial aid in the City of Columbus. According to their official website, funds can be used for work necessary to correct substandard, unsanitary, or deteriorating conditions. Types of repairs include correcting lead paint hazards, replacing roof and roofing elements, furnaces, hot water tanks, gas, water, and sewer lines, minor electricity, securing bowing/shifting basement walls, a replacement for critically damaged windows and/or siding, and repair or replacement for critically damaged driveways or sidewalks, etc. Households with an income of up to 80% or less of the area median income (AMI) as determined by HUD with adjustments for household size are eligible.

Akron residents may be able to use the Minor Home Repair Program offered by the City of Akron. The City works with Rebuilding Together Greater Cuyahoga Valley, a nonprofit organization, to provide small grants to very low-income households for the repair of one or two items in their homes. These funds may be used in repairs, including roof, gutters, electrical, plumbing, porches, steps, etc. Eligible applicants will be assisted on a first-come first-served basis according to the date their application was received. 

Warren City, through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program, has created a Housing Rehabilitation Program designed to assist eligible low and moderate-income households living in the city limits of Warren. The program will provide funds up to $35,000.00 through a zero percent (0%) deferred loan to the owner-occupant of a single-family residential unit for rehabilitation of their home to bring the property into compliance with existing housing quality standards. A lien will be placed on the property to secure the loan but the loan is forgivable at the end of five to fifteen years provided the terms and conditions are met.

The City of Warren also administers an Emergency Home Repair Program that provides up to $6,000.00 ($7,000.00 if it is a roof) per residence. This program was created to alleviate immediate threats to the health and safety of low-income city resident homeowners by providing assistance to those with incomes below 80% of median income. Emergency repairs may include inoperable heating systems, lack of hot water, improving accessibility or making repairs for the physically impaired, severe roof damage, repairing plumbing systems, repairing electrical systems, etc.    

The city of Toledo also administers a home improvement grant program called the Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program. This program is designed to assist property owners with fixing code problems only such as leaky roofs, faulty furnaces, crumbling foundations, etc., and possible lead hazard issues. Qualified homeowners are provided with a 10-year, forgivable deferred payment loan of up to $32,000.00 for code-related repairs and up to $16,000.00 for lead remediation. The loan may be forgiven after 10 years if you remain the owner of the record and the primary occupant.

There are home improvement programs available in the city of Canton, too. Their Emergency Repair Program offers financial aid up to $5,000.00 for emergency repairs immediately necessary to safeguard against the imminent danger of human life, health, and safety. Applicant’s gross annual household income (including Social Security, wages, and all other sources) must be within the following 80% area median income limits. For more information about this program and the documents and eligibility requirements, contact the Housing Rehab Department at (330)438-4113.

The Minor Home Repair Program is another available option, intended to correct one in-home code compliance issue, which if neglected could adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the low-income homeowner. Eligible repairs are major electric work, major plumbing work, repair or replacement of steps, porch repairs, installation of a ramp, exterior concrete work, or energy conservation.

The Roof Replacement Program provides funds to correct roofing, gutter, and fascia problems from the gutters up. Eligible repairs are roof repair/replacement, sheathing, rafters, flashing, vents, structural members, soffits, fascia, gutters, downspouts, and chimneys. If you are interested and eligible in the Minor Home Repair Program or the Roof Replacement Program, submit your application at communitydevelopment@cantonohio.gov. 

Residents of the City of Kent can use funds up to $30,000.00 through the Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program. These funds may be used in home improvement projects such as replacing old and outdated features, providing new roofs, windows, doors, and other energy-saving features, replacing heating systems, as well as updating electrical systems. The Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program provides assistance in the form of a loan to the homeowner. The repayment of the loan is not required until the home is sold or transferred at a later date. The City of Kent charges a simple interest rate of 3% per year and interest only accrues for the first ten years of the loan. 

If you are a low-income homeowner of a property located in Darke, Greene, Montgomery, or Preble County, the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership can offer you a couple of programs to help reduce the cost of your home improvement project. The Emergency Home Repair will cover upgrades such as bringing the electrical wiring up to code, repairing or replacing the septic system, or energy-saving upgrades like adding insulation or storm windows. The applicant must be the owner of the property, must live in the home as a primary permanent residence, and be able to provide proof of homeownership, active home insurance, and paid property taxes. The household income must be at or below 200% of FPL to be eligible for services under this program. 

The Housing Assistant Grant also provides financial aid to cover the cost of projects such as handicapped accessibility modifications, replacement of the heating system, plumbing system, water heaters, and hazardous electrical systems. The household income must be at or below 50% of the area median income in their county to be eligible for services under this program. 

The Disaster Reconstruction Program is another available option that covers repairs caused by a tornado. The applicant must be income-eligible, be the owner of the property, and must live in the home as a primary permanent residence.

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, and location. These fundings are primarily available to low-income families, families with children, single parents, senior citizens, disabled people, and veterans.

For convenience, search and apply for Ohio home repair grants online. To search or apply for grants, use the free, official website, Grants.gov. You can also start by visiting your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD office https://www.hud.gov/states/ohio/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link:

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

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Ohio is also a great place to start. Visit their site or call 2-1-1 and get the information you need https://www.211oh.org/.  211 Ohio is a free, live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state.

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

Can I get a grant to renovate my house?

House renovation grants in Ohio and any other state are available to applicants but ONLY if you are in need of an emergency modification in your home to remove life-threatening health or safety conditions, as well as addressing code violations. You also must meet the required criteria and have all the necessary documents to apply for these funds. 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. You can also apply for disaster relief grants if your house is damaged by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. 

For convenience, search and apply for Ohio home repair grants online. To search or apply for grants, use the free, official website, Grants.gov. You can also start by visiting your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD office https://www.hud.gov/states/ohio/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link:

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

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Ohio is also a great place to start. Visit their site or call 2-1-1 and get the information you need https://www.211oh.org/.  211 Ohio is a free, live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state.

Can I get a grant to repair my roof?

Repairing or replacing roofs is an expensive cost, but leaking and damaged roofs can present a hazard for you and your family. 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, Ohio offers one of the highest levels of support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Ohio 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 roofs. These grants are usually administered at a local level by governments and agencies.

If you are living in a rural area anywhere in the US, getting help for repairing or replacing your roof is possible by the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00.

Residents of Stark County can cover their roof repair or replacement project by using funds from the Stark County Regional Planning Commission. Projects may range up to $25,000.00 depending upon qualifications. This county also offers an Emergency Grant/Deferred Loan Program and offers funds up to $15,000.00. 

The City of Canton offers a Roof Replacement Program to its low-income residents. This program provides funds to correct roofing, gutter, and fascia problems from the gutters up. Eligible repairs are roof repair/replacement, sheathing, rafters, flashing, vents, structural members, soffits, fascia, gutters, downspouts, and chimneys. This city also administers a Disaster Reconstruction Program and provides financial aid to homeowners whose homes have been affected by a tornado. Low-income residents of the City of Columbus can use funds from the Emergency Repair Program and get up to $7,500.00 per household. Minor roofing issues can be addressed by funds from the Critical Home Repair Program in the same city. The City of Akron works with Rebuilding Together Greater Cuyahoga Valley and offers the Minor Home Repair Program, which provides funds that can help you lower the cost of your roof repair or replacement. The city of Toledo also administers a home improvement grant program called the Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program. This program is designed to assist property owners with fixing code problems such as leaky roofs. The Community Housing Improvement Program or CHIP also offers an Owner Rehabilitation Program to rehabilitate a one-family housing unit, which is owned and occupied by low and moderate-income households. These funds may be used for all types of roof repairs or roof replacement. 

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

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

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Ohio is also a great place to start. Visit their site or call 2-1-1 and get the information you need https://www.211oh.org/.

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 their own 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 submit an application.  

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

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

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

How does HUD mortgage assistance work?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supports a network of housing counseling agencies throughout the country. These agencies provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, and credit issues. Your options may include a repayment plan, loan modification, short sale, or Deed-In-Lieu of foreclosure. 

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

https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/index.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=OH&filterSvc=dfc

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 prior to 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 a period of 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 are able to 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 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 cost and you may be eligible for a grant partially or completely covering the cost. There are several options in which you can get financial aid from federal and state agencies for a complete or partial rewiring of your house. Ohio home improvement grants and zero-interest loans are available to low-income homeowners to reduce the cost of their emergency repairs that present safety and health hazards, including problems with the electrical system. These grants are usually administered at a local level by governments and agencies.

As a state, Ohio offers one of the highest levels of support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Electrical upgrades can be covered by the Owner Rehabilitation Program administered by the Ohio Regional Development Corporation. Low-income residents of the City of Columbus can use funds from the Emergency Repair Program and get up to $7,500.00 per household. Minor electrical issues can be addressed by funds from the Critical Home Repair Program in the same city. The City of Akron works with Rebuilding Together Greater Cuyahoga Valley and offers the Minor Home Repair Program, which provides funds that can help you lower the cost of your electrical repairs.  The City of Warren also offers two home improvement programs, the Housing Rehabilitation Program and the Emergency Home Repair Program. These funds may be used to partially or completely cover the cost of repairs of electrical systems. The city of Toledo also administers a home improvement grant program called the Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program. There are home improvement programs available in the city of Canton, too. Their Emergency Repair Program offers financial aid up to $5,000.00 for emergency repairs immediately necessary to safeguard against the imminent danger of human life, health, and safety. If you are a low-income homeowner of a property located in Darke, Greene, Montgomery, or Preble County, the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership can offer you a couple of programs to help reduce the cost of your rewiring or electrical system repairing project. The Emergency Home Repair will cover upgrades such as bringing the electrical wiring up to code. The Housing Assistant Grant also provides financial aid to cover the cost of projects such as hazardous electrical systems.

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

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

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 211 Ohio is also a great place to start. Visit their site or call 2-1-1 and get the information you need https://www.211oh.org/.

What is the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program?

A new Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program is now available in the city of Toledo as a result of the pandemics. Mortgage assistance will cover up to six consecutive months, including forbearance, past due balances, late fees, and penalties. The owner must have a first-lien or primary mortgage with forbearance or past due balance due to COVID-19 and the household of the applicant must demonstrate a loss of income due to COVID-19. The household of the applicants must have a maximum household income at or below 80 percent AMI. The application, and more information, are available at  toledo.oh.gov/mortgage. Applicants may email questions to emap@toledo.oh.gov or call (419) 245-1435.

If you have been laid off or lost income during the coronavirus pandemic and recession, you might also qualify for Emergency Rental Assistance. For more information, contact your local Community Action Agency. Ohio’s Community Action Agencies serve all 88 counties across the state. https://oacaa.org/agency-directory/

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 and charges 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, earthquakes, and floods can get home improvement grants or zero-interest loans. You can apply to these federal, state, or local grants and loans, charities, community agencies, and nonprofit organizations and get the help you need. A big part of the eligibility to these programs is 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. 

These grant programs are primarily directed at 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.