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How can I get a home improvement grant in Virginia?
Home improvement or home repair grants and loans in Virginia or any other state in the US are available to low and moderate-income homeowners, renters, and lenders. These funds may primarily be used by low-income families with children, low-income single parents, low-income senior citizens, veterans, and disabled people. The 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.
For convenience, search and apply for Virginia home repair grants online. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official offices, found in Richmond and Washington, DC, https://www.hud.gov/states/virginia/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/virginia/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.
State organizations like Virginia Housing and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development partner with local governments, nonprofit groups, state and federal agencies, and provide assistance to low and moderate-income Virginians.
As a state, Virginia offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have many offices in Virginia that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements:
Rebuilding Together is another available option for people in need. Their Safe at Home program provides specific safety modifications and improvements to qualified homes to prevent or reduce fall hazards, a common risk among older adults.
If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 2-1-1 Virginia is also a great place to start. 2-1-1 Virginia is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible in Virginia for the 211 helplines. This is a live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists can be found in every state and they are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities.
How can I get a solar grant in Virginia?
Virginia offers 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, Virginia offers additional incentives for going solar, depending on where you live and who your utility company is.
There are plenty of incentives for solar power in Virginia: the 26% federal tax credit, the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs, property tax exemptions, and solar renewable energy credits. In addition, local governments, like Arlington County offer additional renewable incentives. The state also incentivizes its residents to become more energy efficient through sales tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient appliances. Many counties in Virginia offer property tax exemptions for solar installations on residential and commercial properties. Any new solar energy system installed in Virginia is exempt from your property tax assessment value.
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. Virginia’s average cost of a solar panel installation ranges from $12,325.00 to $16,675.00. As of August 2021, the average cost of solar panels in Virginia is $2.9 per watt. 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.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs allow qualifying energy improvements to be financed through assessments on a property owner’s real estate tax bill. By setting up a PACE program, a locality can enable private sector loans for 100% of total project costs by placing a special assessment lien on the property that the owner repays over time as part of his/her tax bill.
How can I get a debt grant?
Dealing with debt 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. Although getting a grant that will completely cover all of your debt is NOT available, there are still several other options in Virginia to consolidate and lower your debts. 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 Virginia you may contact:
You can also try and reduce your debt by applying online for debt counseling services at InCharge.org, a non-profit organization. This organization has a debt management program that works directly with creditors to consolidate your debt through the method of combining multiple debts into one monthly payment, reduce the interest rate on your credit, and create a monthly payment plan that you can afford.
Another financial strategy to pay off your debts is through a Debt Consolidation Loan. This means getting a loan to pay off all of your debts and then make single monthly payments to your lender. The advantages are that debt consolidation loans usually carry a lower interest rate, and these loans usually take 2 to 5 years to repay, depending on the amount. The loans can be secured by a home, car, or property or be unsecured.
Debt Settlement is your third option, in which a debt negotiator works out a settlement with your creditor. This settlement reduces your existing loan principles and credit card balances by a substantial margin. This option is a prime alternative to bankruptcy.
If you are having credit card debts, you can use a Balance Transfer Credit Card. This type of card typically comes with a promotional, low, or zero percent interest rate, which lasts usually 12-18, but in some cases could go for 24 months.
Are there homeowner grants for bills?
The government or other available grant programs can provide financial aid to help pay for housing, 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 Virginia impacted by the Covid-19 crisis may also use these programs. Many utility companies in Virginia also have programs to assist low-income customers. These funds may help you pay your utility bills or lower the amount of energy you use.
The Virginia Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides help to low-income households through its four programs: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance, and Weatherization. These programs may help Virginia residents with their home energy costs. This program can be found in all of the US. Find your local Department of Social Services and get more information on these programs and their documents and income eligibility requirements: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/localagency/index.cgi.
The Virginia Utility Assistance Program includes Hardship Programs administered by Dollar Energy Fund and assists eligible utility customers with their Appalachian Power Company, Old Dominion Power, Columbia Gas of Virginia, and Virginia American Water Company bills. The best way to start seeking help is by calling your utility company. They will provide you with information on a number of different assistance programs that are available to help low-income utility customers. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
Virginia residents can also get help with their water bills. The Virginia American Water’s H2O Help to Others Program offers grants up to $500.00 per year for qualifying customers. To qualify for a grant, customers must have annual household incomes at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Virginia American Water’s H2O Help to Others Program program is administered by the Dollar Energy Fund, an independent, non-profit organization. For more information about the program and additional qualification requirements, contact the Dollar Energy Fund at 1-888-282-6816.
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. Virginia offers property tax relief programs for the permanent residence of qualified homeowners, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Counties like Fairfax offer seniors and people with disabilities real estate tax relief and vehicle tax relief. This relief is available to people over 65, permanently and totally disabled, who meet the income and asses eligibility. To apply for real estate tax relief for the current year, applicants must provide the gross household income from all sources of the owners of the dwelling and any relatives of the owner who reside in the dwelling from the immediately preceding year, The total combined income may not exceed $72,000.00. The following income limitations and percentage of relief apply:
- If your gross income is $52,000.00 or less, you are eligible for 100% relief.
- If your gross income is $52,001.00 to $62,000.00, you are eligible for 50% relief.
- If your gross income is $62,001.00 to $72,000.00, you are eligible for 25% relief.
Residents of Norfolk can renovate residential properties that are at least 15 years old and not pay full taxes on the value of those improvements for 14 years. All work must be completed within 3 years from the date of the approval letter. A Residential Rehabilitation Property Tax Abatement is also available to residents of the city of Newport News. If you are interested and eligible for such a program, submit the following application:
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can eliminate any federal tax you owe at tax time. If the EITC amount is more than what you owe in taxes, you get the money back in your tax refund. Eligibility for the tax credit is based on various factors including family size, filing status, and income.
Virginia residents in need may also use the Low-Income Individuals Credit and claim $300.00 for each personal and dependent exemption claimed on their Virginia return. If your total family Virginia adjusted gross income is less than the amounts established under federal poverty guidelines, or the United States Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines, you may qualify to claim the un-refundable CLI.
State tax credits called Livable Home Tax Credit (LHTC) are available to Virginia residents in need. The tax credit provides for the purchase/construction of a new residence and 50 percent of the cost of retrofitting activities not to exceed $5,000.00. Any tax credit that exceeds the eligible individual’s or licensed contractor’s tax liability may be carried forward for up to seven years. Applications are to be filed and received by DHCD by Jan. 31 of the year following the year in which the purchase or retrofitting was completed.
Tax Relief in Virginia is also available to all veterans. Disabled veterans and their surviving spouses may be exempt from paying real property taxes on their dwelling, some additional structures, and land up to three acres. To request a statement from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs confirming a 100% service-connected disability, you may submit VA Form 21-4138. https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/43/VA-Form-21-4138?bidId=
How can I get a grant to repair my home?
Home repair grants and loans are NOT given to anyone and for any purpose. The best way to get a grant to repair your home is to meet all the required criteria, have all the necessary documents, and submit your application within the given deadline.
Each of these grants varies in income, age, type of repair necessary, and location of the property. Very low income and low-income families, families with children, single parents, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans have a primary position when it comes to approval. Repairing a home is a very broad subject and can cover many projects within. Unfortunately, not all of them are eligible for grant fundings. No one will give you free money if you don’t like the tiles in your bathroom or the color of your kitchen cabinets. Emergency repairs, including repairs addressing health and safety hazards, as well as home modifications that improve code violations are the only eligible repairs. Start by researching online on the available federal and state programs, then move to your county and city. Non-profit organizations, charities, and local churches also provide financial aid, volunteer labor, or discounted material you may use.
Keep in mind these funds are limited and they usually work on a first-come, first-served basis, so you want to be informed on time. Make sure you meet all the required criteria and you have all the necessary documents. Another fact you should know is that not all grants will be categorized specifically under home improvement needs. They may be related to broader themes such as conservation, community upgrades, veteran or low-income family support for all residents. If you are in need of 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 offices, state organizations like Virginia Housing and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the or Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.
How can I get a grant for windows?
Grants are available in Virginia to help with the cost of repairing or installing new windows if your current windows are cracked, broken, leaking, old, or inefficient. Window repair and replacement are considered an emergency repair and it is usually covered by all home improvement grant and loan programs.
The Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to help residents of Virginia overcome the high cost of energy by making their homes more energy-efficient. 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 to $300.00 on your utility bills. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Virginia. The services are for low-income households, particularly for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and families with children. The program is available to eligible homeowners and renters and it is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through a network of local agencies. To apply, use the link:
The cost of repairing or replacing broken windows can be covered by the Home Repair Program in the City of Colonial Heights. This program offers up to $10,000.00 for single-family dwellings to homeowners with an income at or below 80% of the area median income. Residents of Hampton have their own Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Loan Program, that offers loan amounts ranging from a minimum of $1,000.00 to a maximum of $25,000.00.
If you are living in a rural area in Virginia and anywhere in the US, getting help for repairing or replacing your windows is possible by the federal program Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504, a program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00. Grants can only be used to correct health and safety deficiencies on properties, and loans can be used in all home improvement projects.
If you are in need of 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 offices, state organizations like Virginia Housing and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the or 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 Virginia 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.
The Emergency Home and Accessibility Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers resources to cover the cost of your structural repairs, including installation of wheelchair ramps, and other accessibility modifications. Rotted floors can be repaired or replaced with funds from the Critical Home Repair Program, operated by the project:HOMES, a non-profit organization. Cities like Colonial Heights offer a Home Repair Program to their low-income residents, and James City administers Emergency Home Repairs, which provides funds for improvements to meet the special needs of elderly and disabled persons, as well as grant assistance for housing repairs that address safety and health hazards.
If you are living in a rural area in Virginia 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 are in need of 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 offices, state organizations like Virginia Housing and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the or Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.
Are there grants for the elderly?
Senior citizens living in Virginia 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 provide assistance to 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 Virginia 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 Virginia, they are referred to as Area Agencies on Aging. Visit the official site of the Department of Human Resources of Virginia and get informed on the ways you can get help:
Fairfax County in Virginia offers a Home Repair for the Elderly Program for Elderly And Disabled Adults that provides minor home repairs to eligible moderate and low-income elderly homeowners, as well as accessibility modifications for homeowners with disabilities. Eligible repairs include minor electrical repairs, window and door repairs, minor plumbing repairs, screen replacement for windows and doors, gutter and downspout repair, and more. To be eligible for these funds, applicants must be either senior citizens over the age of 62, disabled, or have a family member with a disability. Fairfax uses County and Federal funds to cover the cost of one week’s labor and up to $500.00 in materials.
Older adults may also receive help through the programs operated by the Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living, Inc. (CVACL). This organization serves individuals over the age of 60 and anyone over the age of 18 living with a disability in the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Campbell and Bedford, and the City of Lynchburg. They offer a Weatherization Assistance Program, an Emergency Home Accessibility and Repair Program, and a Residential Repair Program.
The Department of Social Services also offers Adult Services to senior citizens. The Adult Services Program assists adults with an impairment who need services or support to enhance self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. These services include Long-Term Care Services and Supports (LTSS) Screenings, Assisted Living Facility (ALF) assessments and reassessments, and more. Find your local DSS at the following link:
Seniors living in a rural area in Virginia and anywhere in the US can also get help for home improvement modifications through the federal program Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504, operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00. Grants can only be used to correct health and safety deficiencies on properties, and loans can be used in all home improvement projects.
Are there grants for low income homeowners?
There is a variety of financial assistance available when it comes to home improvement grants and loans in Virginia. 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 Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers many resources to assist Virginians in need with housing needs. The Emergency Home and Accessibility Repair Program (EHARP) provides funds up to $4,000.00 to remove urgent health and safety hazards. Eligible repairs can include plumbing, structural, electrical, and roofing and the installation of wheelchair ramps, and other accessibility modifications. An applicant’s total gross household income from all sources cannot exceed 80 percent of area median income (AMI). Contact your local provider or submit the following application online:
Loudoun County administers two home improvement programs to help its low-income residents. The Emergency Home and Accessibility Repair Program is available to residents who are at least 62 years old and/or have a member with a disability. This program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000.00. Household income must be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income. Eligible repairs include electrical system repairs, HVAC system repairs, plumbing, roofing, and more. The Loudoun County Home Improvement Program (LCHIP) provides loans that can be forgivable and/or interest-free. Loans for qualified homeowners to remedy health hazards, building code violations, accessibility issues, and conditions deemed to be blighting influences. Total gross household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Typical repairs include correcting code violations, addressing health and safety issues, as well as repairs of the plumbing system, electrical system, HVAC, etc. If you are interested and eligible for any of these programs, apply online at the following link:
Residents of Louisa County may use funds from the Emergency Home Repairs Program to cover the cost of their repairs with heating and air conditioning units, roof repairs or replacements, plumbing repairs, well and septic system repairs, etc. This program is administered by the Fluvanna/Louisa Housing Foundation, a private non-profit organization. Funds from federal and state grants will help qualified low-income homeowners by paying for a portion of the repairs. The balance is then paid back with no interest loans and affordable monthly payments.
Gloucester County residents may use funds from the Gloucester Housing Partnership. They provide basic home repairs to low-income homeowners living in this county. You may apply for assistance at the following link: https://www.ghp4u.com/apply-for-assistance.html.
Albemarle Housing Improvement Program is available to residents of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Their Emergency Repair Program provides services including heating system repairs and installations, roof repair or replacements, window and door repairs, plumbing system repair, electrical system repair, floor repairs, and more. The cost of these projects may vary from $100 to $10,000.00. They also administer a Rehab Program that covers projects that can cost anywhere from $10,000.00 to $100,000.00.
The City of Colonial Heights receives funds from HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Program and administers a Home Repair Program. This program offers up to $10,000.00 for single-family dwellings to assist with specific home repairs and it is available to homeowners and renters with legal disabilities. Eligible include, but are not limited to faulty roofs, missing gutters, unsafe electrical, heating, or plumbing systems, broken windows, decayed floors, bathroom modifications for people with disabilities, and more. In order to be eligible for this grant, homeowners must be at or below 80% of the area median income. Priority is given to first-time applicants, low-income households, persons who are elderly or disabled, and those that need repairs that constitute an emergency.
James City administers Emergency Home Repairs, which provides funds for improvements to meet the special needs of elderly and disabled persons, as well as grant assistance for housing repairs that address safety and health hazards.
Residents of the City of Hampton may use a Deferred HOME Rehabilitation Loan Program. Loan amounts range from a minimum of $1,000.00 to a maximum of $25,000.00 and in some areas up to $50,000.00. Eligibility for the loan is based on household income, equity in the property, and other criteria. Household income must be 80% or less of the Area Median Income as determined by HUD. The property must be located in Hampton, Virginia, and an individual detached single-family dwelling that has not previously been rehabilitated under this program. Other available programs include the 3% HOME Rehabilitation Loan Program, Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Loan Program, the Emergency Grant Program, and more.
Non-profit organizations like Project: HOMES provides one-time critical home repair assistance to qualifying low-income homeowners in the areas served. Typical services include plumbing and electrical system repairs, replacing rotted floors, roof repair, repairing steps and porches, and more. Since 1992, project:HOMES has fully renovated or constructed 176 affordable single-family homes. Their Keep It Cool RVA! initiative serves low-income families by providing and installing AC window units. They also install wheelchair ramps for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
Appalachia Service Project (ASP) is an organization that helps Appalachian people and provides them with volunteer home repair and replacement in Central Appalachia. ASP offers Home Repairs through volunteer labor for home improvements including roofing, siding, drywall, floor and foundations, porches and ramps, and more.
Total Action for Progress (TAP) is a community action agency that serves certain areas in Virginia and offers different services to help residents in need. Their Limited Home Repair Program can help home improvement projects such as leaky roofs, damaged electrical systems, rotted floors, and other hazardous conditions. To be eligible for this program, applicants must live in their service areas and have a household income of at or below 80 of the Area Median Income.
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.
Populated states, like Virginia, have different programs available to help their low and moderate-income residents. For convenience, search and apply for Virginia 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 offices, state organizations like Virginia Housing and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the or Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.
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?
There are plenty of available home renovation grants in the state of Virginia. These grants are available to applicants ONLY if you need an emergency modification in your home to remove life-threatening health or safety conditions, as well as addressing code violations. You also must meet the required criteria and have all the necessary documents to apply for these funds. A grant to renovate your house is not available to anyone and for any purpose. There must be a solid foundation for requesting these funds. Very low and low-income homeowners, low-income families with children, single parents, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities are usually eligible to receive these funds. Homeowners impacted by natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can also get financial aid from these types of grants.
Do your research and see if you meet some of the documents and eligibility requirements. For convenience, search and apply for Virginia home repair grants online. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official offices, found in Richmond and Washington, DC, https://www.hud.gov/states/virginia/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/virginia/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 funds are distributed through the many programs that help low and moderate-income people and partially or completely cover the cost of their home improvement projects.
State organizations like Virginia Housing and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development partner with local governments, nonprofit groups, state and federal agencies, and provide assistance to low and moderate-income Virginians. Visit their official sites and see the programs they operate, as well as the document and income requirements.
As a state, Virginia offers financial support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have many offices in Virginia that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials. You can find and contact an office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements:
Rebuilding Together is another available option for people in need. Their Safe at Home program provides specific safety modifications and improvements to qualified homes to prevent or reduce fall hazards, a common risk among older adults.
If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 2-1-1 Virginia is also a great place to start. 2-1-1 Virginia is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible in Virginia for the 211 helplines. This is a live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists can be found in every state and they are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities.
Can I get a grant to repair my roof?
Repairing or replacing your roof is an expensive cost, but leaking and damaged roofs can present a hazard for you and your family. What may seem like a simple leak could wind up costing you thousands of dollars in repair costs. All roofs eventually break down and need replacement, no matter the type of material or how well they were maintained. There are several options in which you can get financial aid from federal and state agencies for a complete or partial replacement and repair. As a state, Virginia offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Virginia home improvement grants and zero-interest loans are available to low-income homeowners to reduce the cost of their emergency repairs that present safety and health hazards, including problems with damaged and leaking roofs. These grants are usually administered at a local level by governments and agencies.
The cost of your roof repair or replacement can be partially or completely covered by the Emergency Home and Accessibility Repair Program (EHARP), operated by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Faulty roofs may also be covered by the Home Repair Program in the City of Colonial Heights. Residents of the City of Hampton may use a Deferred HOME Rehabilitation Loan Program. Non-profit organizations like Project: HOMES provides one-time critical home repair assistance to qualifying low-income homeowners in the areas served. Typical services include roof repair or replacement. Senior homeowners living in rural areas of Virginia might be eligible for the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504, a program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They can receive up to $7,500.00 to correct their damaged roof or a combination of a grant and a loan and get up to $27,500.00.
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 offices, state organizations like Virginia Housing and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the or Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.
How do I apply for a federal home repair grant?
There are several places you can find available federal home improvement grants. The United States government has 26 agencies in charge of making grants. In addition to federal grants, some states have grant programs. Locate and contact your local government office. Government representatives, there will be able to advise you about eligibility requirements and other necessary criteria for applying for a grant. To search or apply for grants, you can also use the free, official website, Grants.gov. First, you have to register an account on this site. Then, you can search their site for their available grants and apply.
Besides meeting the required criteria and applying within the deadline, it is very important to have ALL the necessary documents. For example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD provides all kinds of housing support and helps communities. If you live in a rural area, then you might be interested in The 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 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 Virginia can be found at their site:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also funds an Emergency Homeowners Loan Program or EHLP, that provides mortgage help and loans to those homeowners who may be facing foreclosure due to a drop in household income from a job loss, underemployment, or reduction in working hours, involuntary unemployment, or a medical condition or emergency.
To qualify for this program you must fit certain criteria such as:
- You must be at least three months behind on their monthly mortgage payment,
- The home involved must be your primary residence,
- You must have demonstrated a timely payment record on their mortgage before the job loss or medical condition or event that produced the reduction of income for the homeowner.
If you are struggling to make your mortgage payment on your FHA-insured mortgage because of the impacts of COVID-19, you might get help from the Special COVID-19 mortgage relief for homeowners with FHA-insured single-family mortgages. Your mortgage servicer is required to offer you a mortgage payment forbearance, which allows you to reduce or pause making payments for six months, with the option to extend for an additional six months if needed. You must request a COVID-19 Forbearance from your mortgage servicer by June 30, 2021, and no extra fees, penalties, or interest will be added to your account. If you can resume making your payments, FHA’s COVID-19 Standalone Partial Claim takes your past due amounts and puts them in a subordinate lien to be repaid later. You will only repay this lien when your mortgage ends, which, for most borrowers, is when you sell your home or refinance your mortgage.
Is the mortgage relief program legit?
Fannie Mae’s HIRO program and Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance or FMERR are the only active relief programs today. They provide mortgage incentives by replacing your existing loan with a new loan that has a lower interest rate and more affordable payments.
Fannie Mae’s HIRO program can be used only by homeowners whose mortgages are currently owned by Fannie Mae. This program allows homeowners to refinance with no equity or an underwater loan. If your home has lost value since you bought it and you don’t have enough equity to do regular refinance, then this is a great option. You can’t apply to this program if you previously used the Home Affordable Refinance Program or HARP, which was a similar project by Fannie Mae that expired.
Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance program can be used for existing fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages. This program is intended to refinance into a more sustainable mortgage that promotes long-term homeownership success, to reduce the monthly principal and interest payment of your first Lien Mortgage, as well as if you are interested in potentially reducing principal and interest payment. Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance program is only available to homeowners whose mortgages are currently owned by Freddie Mac.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemics, there is also a Covid-19 Mortgage Relief Program. The COVID hardship forbearance applies to all federally backed and federally sponsored mortgages, which includes HUD/FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac mortgage loans. The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) directed lenders holding federally-backed mortgages to suspend borrowers’ payments for up to a maximum of 360 days if they had experienced financial hardship due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Landlords of multi-family property mortgages can also receive relief. The CARES Act allows a 30-day forbearance for multi-family mortgages, and up to two 30-day extensions. You can apply for forbearance through Sept. 30, 2021, and will not be charged late fees or reported to credit bureaus.
Is there a grant for rewiring a house?
A home electrical wiring is an expensive project and you may be eligible for a grant to partially or completely cover the cost. There are several options in which you can get financial aid from federal and state agencies for rewiring your house. Some of these funds can only be used in electrical system repairs and upgrades, others include a new rewiring of your home. Virginia 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.
Electrical system repairs can be covered by the Emergency Home and Accessibility Repair Program (EHARP), administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Loudoun County also provides financial aid to its low-income residents through the Emergency Home and Accessibility Repair Program, and the Loudoun County Home Improvement Program (LCHIP). Louisa County residents may use the Emergency Home Repairs Program. Cities like Colonial Heights, James City, and Hampton offer their own Home Repair Programs to help their income-eligible residents with their home improvement projects.
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 offices, state organizations like Virginia Housing and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the or Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.
What is the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program?
The Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program uses funds from the CARES Act to help its residents impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. This short-term financial assistance can cover rent and mortgage payments beginning April 1, 2020. Your monthly mortgage or rent must be at or below 150% fair market rent, and eligible households must have a gross income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). Find a HUD-approved counseling agency to advise you if you are having problems with your mortgage payments. This service is free if you are trying to avoid foreclosure or homelessness.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemics, there is also a Covid-19 Mortgage Relief Program. With the CARES ACT, US residents have the right to obtain a 180-day pause in paying their mortgage or temporarily lower mortgage payments if they are a borrower on a federally backed mortgage loan and affirm that they are experiencing financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 emergency. This program is called mortgage forbearance or mortgage relief. The CARES Act also protects them from some negative information on their credit report because of any mortgage relief or assistance related to the COVID-19 emergency.
What is a request for mortgage assistance?
A Request for Mortgage Assistance or RMA is the application you have to fill out to be considered for a mortgage loan modification. With a mortgage modification, you can permanently change one or more terms of your mortgage loan. This includes getting a lower interest rate, some or all late fees may be waived or reduced, your interest rate may be changed from an adjustable-rate loan to a fixed rate, the months or years the homeowner has to repay the loan may be lengthened, total loan principal may be reduced, as well as your second mortgage or equity loan could be waived.
This form requires detailed information about the borrower’s current financial situation. The information provided will allow the mortgage lender to determine the filer’s eligibility for mortgage assistance. This form includes your current income, debts, expenses, employment, bankruptcies, and other issues that will help the lender determine if you are eligible for mortgage assistance.
In the USA, modifications were made under the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program or HAMP.
To qualify for this program you must have fit certain criteria such as:
- You are having trouble making your mortgage payments because of financial hardship,
- You obtained your mortgage on or before January 1, 2009,
- Your property has not been condemned,
- You owe up to $728,750.00 on your primary residence or one to four-unit rental property.
Who can get a home improvement grant?
Low and moderate-income families, seniors, veterans, single parents, disabled people, people impacted by Covid 19, as well as people impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods can get home improvement grants or zero-interest loans. In the case of home improvement grants, funds are available to help homeowners renovate their homes, and bringing 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.