How can I get a home improvement grant in Washington?

Home improvement or home repair grants and loans in Washington 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.

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Access Virginia Solar Programs

For convenience, search and apply for Washington home repair grants online. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in Seattle, https://www.hud.gov/states/washington/working/localofficeseattle or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/washington/homeownership/homerepairs. HUD provides federal assistance to local administrations and organizations, such as the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) or the HOME Investment Partnership Program. 

As a state, Washington offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have over 20  offices in Washington 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: 

https://www.habitat.org/local/affiliate-by-state?state=WA.

Another non-profit organization, Washington Homeownership Resource Center provides help to Washingtonians in need. Register on their official site and get the information you need:

Explore comprehensive home improvement programs available in your area. Whether you're looking to upgrade your windows, install a new roof, or completely remodel your home, find out how these programs can help you achieve your goals with financial assistance and expert advice.

Access Virginia Home Improvement Programs
https://portal.homeownership-wa.org/auth/register.

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, WA 2-1-1 is also a great place to start. Washington 2-1-1 is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible in Washington 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. Dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Washington State and you will reach a highly-trained information and referral specialist who will assess your needs and provide a list of referrals to available resources in your community. 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 Washington?

Washington 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, Washington offers additional incentives for going solar, depending on where you live and who your utility company is. 

The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit or ITC is a federal policy that supports the use of solar energy in the USA. This policy represents a 26% tax credit claimed against the tax liability for solar systems on residential and commercial properties. Washington’s average cost of a solar panel installation ranges from $11,135.00 to $15,065.00. As of August 2021, the average cost of solar panels in Washington is $2.63 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.

Washington State Solar Tax Exemption is also available in this state. Solar systems under 100 kilowatts are exempt from all local and state sales tax. Depending on which city you live in determines how much you will save.

Washington State Net Energy Metering allows you to get billing credit from your utility company for the power you generate. If your usage exceeds what you generate, you are billed on the “net”, the difference between what you use and what generate. This is an excellent incentive that supports the concept of distributed generation of renewable energy.

Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System is a depreciation system used for tax purposes in the U.S. MACRS depreciation allows the capitalized cost of an asset to be recovered over a specified period via annual deductions. The MACRS system puts fixed assets into classes that have set depreciation periods.

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 Washington 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 Washington you may contact:

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

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 Washington impacted by the Covid-19 crisis may also use these programs. Many utility companies in Washington 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. 

Washington State Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides funds to help low-income Washingtonians by sending payments directly to their energy utility vendors. Eligibility is based on several factors, including household income, household size, and heating costs. A household income of at least 150% of the Area Median Income is required. You can only apply for LIHEAP once each program year. Find your local provider on the following link if you are interested and eligible for this program:

https://fortress.wa.gov/com/liheappublic/map.aspx

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services offers different kinds of services to help its residents in need. Emergency Cash Assistance is a one-time cash payment to families having emergency housing, utility, or other need.  

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/ESA/csd/documents/14_001.pdf.

Residents in Washington impacted by the Covid-19 crisis may use financial help from Workforce Snohomish, an equal opportunity employer/program. According to their official site, Workforce Snohomish receives federal funding from the Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB) to oversee and operate the two WorkSource Centers in the county, located in Everett and Lynnwood. There are certain criteria to qualify for this program, such as:

  • Income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI),
  • Experiencing a financial hardship directly or indirectly due to the COVID-19 outbreak that threatens the household’s ability to pay the costs of the rental property when due,
  • At-risk of experiencing homelessness or currently experiencing housing instability.

Submit the following application if you are interested and eligible for these funds:

Washington residents may also receive financial aid through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) if they lost their income as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. If you are denied regular benefits, you may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. This program provides funds per week for all eligible claimants until Sept. 4, 2021. Check the eligibility requirements for these funds and see if you can apply:

https://esdorchardstorage.blob.core.windows.net/esdwa/Default/ESDWAGOV/Unemployment/UIEligibilityChecker.pdf.

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

The Property Tax Exemption Program For Senior Citizens And People With Disabilities offers a reduction in the amount of property taxes due. This program is available to senior citizens age 61 and older, people retired from regular gainful employment due to a disability, or disabled veterans. 

The Property Tax Deferral Program For Senior Citizens And People With Disabilities is available to taxpayers who are at least 60 years of age or older by December 31 of the year the application for deferral is filed; OR retired from regular gainful employment by reason of disability.

The Property Tax Deferral Program For Homeowners With Limited Income is available to homeowners with a combined disposable income of $57,000.00 or less. The deferred amount accrues simple interest until repayment is complete.  The interest rate varies and is based on an average of the federal short-term rate, plus 2 %. 

Cities like Tacoma offer a MultiFamily Property Tax Exemption Program (MPTE), which provides a tax incentive to encourage the development of a minimum of 4 new multifamily units to be located within one of 17 designated mixed-use centers. The incentive exempts property taxes for either 8 or 12 years on the assessed improvement value, the latter option requiring at least 20% affordable units. Applications for the MFTE program can be submitted via the online portal: https://aca-prod.accela.com/TACOMA/Default.aspx.

How can I get a grant to repair my home?

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

Each of these grants varies in income, age, type of repair necessary, and location of the property. Very low income and low-income families, families with children, single parents, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans have a primary position when it comes to approval. Repairing a home is a very broad subject and can cover many projects within. Unfortunately, not all of them are eligible for grant fundings. No one will give you free money if you don’t like the tiles in your bathroom or the color of your kitchen cabinets. Emergency repairs, including repairs addressing health and safety hazards, as well as home modifications that improve code violations are the only eligible repairs. Start by researching online on the available federal and state programs, then move to your county and city. Non-profit organizations, charities, and local churches also provide financial aid, volunteer labor, or discounted material you may use.

Keep in mind these funds are limited and they usually work on a first-come, first-served basis, so you want to be informed on time. Make sure you meet all the required criteria and you have all the necessary documents. Another fact you should know is that not all grants will be categorized specifically under home improvement needs. They may be related to broader themes such as home repair, 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 office, organizations like Washington Homeownership Resource Center, 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 Washington 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 Washington Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to help residents of Washington 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 on your utility bills. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Washington. 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 is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce through a network of local agencies. Commerce receives funding from Washington and the following federal government programs to help pay for low-income weatherization work. To find your local agency, use the link: 

http://www.commerce.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/HIP-Weatherization-County-Local-Agency-List-3-2-13.pdf.

If you are living in a rural area in Washington 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. Rural area residents may also use funds from the  New Home Rehabilitation Loan Program, administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. 

All counties and bigger cities in Washington have programs that help low-income homeowners with their home improvement projects. Seattle offers a Home Repair Program and provides affordable loans for owner-occupied, single-family homes with low to moderate-income households. The Home Repair Loan Program is designed to address immediate health, safety, and structural deficiencies, including window repair or replacement. The City of Spokane offers a Single Family Rehabilitation Program that can cover the cost of installing bedroom egress windows. Eligible Kent City residents may use the Kent Home Repair Program to cover the cost of new windows, and the City of Tacoma offers a Single Family Residence Homeowner Occupied Rehabilitation Loan Program. The City of Vancouver offers assistance to its residents in need through its 3% simple interest loan up to $25,000.00 that does not require monthly payments.

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 office, organizations like Washington Homeownership Resource Center, 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 Washington 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.

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

All counties in Washington offer some sort of support to their low and moderate-income residents. King County residents may use Emergency Grants or Manufactured Home Grants. Clark County eligible homeowners may use the Housing Rehabilitation Program and get financial assistance for their home repair projects. Pierce County residents may use funds from the Home Repair Program, funded by the Community Development Block Grant Program. Ferry, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, or Stevens County residents may use funds from the Rural Resources Community Action, an organization in Northeastern Washington. Their Home Repair and Rehabilitation Program is available to homeowners living in a rural area with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Cities like Seattle offer a Home Repair Program to help residents with their cost of foundation repair or replacement, as well as floor repair and covering. The City of Tacoma offers a Single Family Residence Homeowner Occupied Rehabilitation Loan Program. Funds from this program may be used in carpet and flooring replacement, foundation repairs, and structural repairs. The City of Vancouver offers assistance to its residents in need through its 3%  simple interest loan up to $25,000.00 that does not require monthly payments. 

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 office, organizations like Washington Homeownership Resource Center, 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington, they are referred to as Area Agencies on Aging. The Administration on Aging is established by the Older Americans Act as a separate agency under the Department of Health and Human Services Visit the official site of the Washington Care Planning Council (WaCPC) and get informed on the ways you can get help: 

https://www.carewashington.org/list10_wa_Aging_Services_senior_centers.htm

Minor Home Repairs, including but not limited to, roof repairs, doors and windows repair, ramp install, plumbing system repairs, and sewer system repairs are available to low and moderate-income senior homeowners 62 and older and disabled homeowners 18 and older. These funds are administered by Homage, a non-profit organization. Apply at the following link:

https://seniorservicesofsnohomishcounty.formstack.com/forms/untitled_contact_form.

Cities like the City of Yakima have their own Senior/Disabled Home repair program. This program is limited to specific types of repairs only with a $5,000.00 repair limit. These funds are available to residents meeting the given criteria:

  • Applicants must be a homeowner or buying a home inside the City limits of Yakima,
  • At least 55 years of age or Social Security Disable (no age limit for disabled persons),
  • Live in the home on a year-round basis and have owned the home for at least one year,
  • Must be below 80% of Federal Median Income Guidelines for the number of people in the home.

Seniors living in a rural area in Washington 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 grants of up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62 and can only be used to correct health and safety deficiencies on properties. Applicants can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00. 

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 Washington. 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.

Washington State Department of Commerce has a New Home Rehabilitation Loan Program (HRLP) for rural low-income households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level can get a deferred loan. This program uses funds from the Washington State Capital Budget to provide deferred loans to rural, low-income households that need repairs and improvements on their primary residence for health, safety, or durability. Eligible homeowners with sufficient equity in their home may get up to $40,000.00. The interest rate for the program is set based on the previous year’s consumer price index. Loans issued in 2021 will have an interest rate of 1.4%. According to their official site, eligible repairs include foundation/structural improvements, energy-related improvements, lead-based paint and asbestos work, improvements for handicapped persons, repair or replacement of major housing systems, emergency storm repairs, seismic retrofits, or radon mitigation.

King County residents may use Emergency Grants or Manufactured Home Grants. The Emergency Grants provide up to $6,000.00 to address urgent or life-threatening conditions, and the Manufactured Home Grants provide up to $8,000.00 for repairs for people in manufactured home parks or on leased land. 

Clark County eligible homeowners may use the Housing Rehabilitation Program and get financial assistance for their home repair projects. Eligible repairs include exterior repairs, roof repair or replacement, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical repairs to existing systems, grab bars, ramps, and more. Submit the application at the following link if you are in need of such a program:https://clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2021-06/HPP%20Application%20Packet_2021.pdf.

Pierce County residents may use funds from the Home Repair Program, funded by the Community Development Block Grant Program. These funds are available to homeowners with a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. 

https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6914/112075/Minor-Home-Repair-Pre-Application.

Kitsap County residents may use funds from the Home Rehabilitation Program, to address emergency repairs like leaking roofs, damaged wiring, and health and safety concerns. Loans and grants are made available through the Kitsap County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The program is available to families that earn up to 50% of the Kitsap County median income. Use the application at the following link to apply:

https://cdn.websites.hibu.com/80c5317091ba452d91dc8b69f906ffe3/files/uploaded/REHAB%20APPLICATION%20-%20FILLABLE.pdf.

Ferry, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, or Stevens County residents may use funds from the Rural Resources Community Action, an organization in Northeastern Washington. Their Home Repair and Rehabilitation Program is available to homeowners living in a rural area with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Seattle offers a Home Repair Program and provides affordable loans for owner-occupied, single-family homes with low- to moderate-income households. This program is designed to address immediate health, safety, and structural deficiencies, including accessibility needs and modifications, bathroom repair, masonry repairs, electrical upgrades, foundation repair or replacement, floor repair and covering, door and windows repair or replacement, roof repair, or replacement, plumbing system repair, structural repairs, and more. Zero-interest loans can reach a maximum of $3,000.00.

The City of Spokane offers many programs to help its low-income homeowners. These programs provide grants and loans for emergency repairs and home improvement projects. The Essential Repair Program can provide minor and emergency home repairs including fixing plumbing leaks, broken furnaces, frozen pipes, and leaking roofs. This program also improves handicap accessibility including installing grab bars and wheelchair ramps. The Single Family Rehabilitation Program can provide major home repairs as low-interest loans up to $40,000.00. Typical rehabilitation includes replacing furnaces, improving electrical service, and installing bedroom egress windows. This program can also replace failed roofs, water lines, and sewer lines.

The City of Bellingham uses funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program and administers a Home Rehabilitation Program to help its residents in need. The residences must be occupied by owner households with incomes at or below 80% of the median income of Whatcom County. There are two types of loans: Deferred Loans and Deferred Payments with a 5-year Term. In both cases, the maximum amount you may borrow is $24,000.00.

Eligible Kent City residents may use the Kent Home Repair Program to cover the cost of their home improvements. Small repairs including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, disabled access, furnace service, storm doors, window/roof repairs, smoke detectors, and other small projects can be covered using funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program. Use the application at the following link to start the process:

https://www.kentwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/17173/637600388155130000.

The City of Richland also administers an Owner Occupied Emergency Repair Program and offers funds for urgent repairs related to furnaces, water heaters, roofs, egress, electrical or sewer issues. According to their official site, this program offers funding for urgent repairs up to $5,000.00 to low-income owner-occupied households within Richland city limits. Emergency repair loans shall be in the form of a deferred, no interest property lien that will be due and payable once the property is sold, refinanced or the owner does not occupy the property as their primary residence.  

The City of Tacoma offers a Single Family Residence Homeowner Occupied Rehabilitation Loan Program. The program is designed to assist low and moderate-income Tacoma homeowners with loans up to $50,000.00. Households must earn 80% or less of the Area Median Income. The loan carries one percent (1%) simple interest and, depending on the condition and income status of the homeowner, may not require a monthly payment. Eligible repairs include roof replacement, exterior and interior painting, window replacement, carpet and flooring replacement, electrical repairs, foundation and structural repairs, and more. For more information on this program and its documents and eligibility requirements, call (253) 591-5667 or SingleFamilyRehab@CityofTacoma.org.

The City of Everett offers home repair services through its HUD-funded Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP). Low and moderate-income families may use funds from this program if they have a household income less than 80% of the Area Median Income. CHIP provides loans at three percent simple interest. No payments are required on the CHIP loan for 15 or 25 years, depending upon income. The CHIP loan is repaid when the house is sold or when an estate is settled. For more information, call (425) 257-8735.

The City of Bellevue administers a Home Repair Program that provides low- to moderate-income Bellevue homeowners with zero-interest home loans and grants for health- and safety-related repairs. Eligible repairs include unsafe electrical wiring, roof repair, faulty plumbing, rotting gutters or decks, and more. These programs include Deferred Payment Loans, Leveraged Loans, Emergency Grants, and Weatherization Grants. Fill out the application at the link below and send it by mail to the given address:

https://bellevuewa.gov/sites/default/files/media/pdf_document/home-repair-app.pdf

The City of Vancouver offers assistance to its residents in need through its 3% simple interest loan up to $25,000.00 that does not require monthly payments. The loan is paid back when you refinance your home, when the title transfers to another owner, or when you no longer live in the home. Eligible repairs include roofs, foundations, heating systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and more.

What are the easiest homeowner grants to get?

The easiest homeowner grants to get are those that have a solid foundation for requesting money, are well-thought-out, have a plan for the future, and are clear and concise in their goals and objectives. To obtain a grant, first, you look for an organization whose goals match what you need to have funded. Second, make sure you meet all the required criteria and you have all the necessary documents. All grants and loans vary by age, income, type of property, and the location of the property. These fundings are primarily available to low-income families, families with children, single parents, senior citizens, people with disabilities, veterans, and their families. Homeowners impacted by natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can also get financial aid for these types of grants.

Populated states, like Washington, have different programs available to help their low and moderate-income residents. For convenience, search and apply for Washington home repair grants online. To search or apply for grants, use the free, official website, Grants.gov. If you need such programs to repair your home, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. Contact the HUD office, organizations like Washington Homeownership Resource Center, 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 Washington. 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 Washington home repair grants online. For convenience, search and apply for Washington home repair grants online. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in Seattle, https://www.hud.gov/states/washington/working/localofficeseattle or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/washington/homeownership/homerepairs. HUD provides federal assistance to local administrations and organizations, such as the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) or the HOME Investment Partnership Program. 

As a state, Washington 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 Washington 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: 

https://www.habitat.org/local/affiliate-by-state?state=WA.

Another non-profit organization, Washington Homeownership Resource Center provides help to Washingtonians in need. Register on their official site and get the information you need:

https://portal.homeownership-wa.org/auth/register.

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, 2-1-1 Washington is also a great place to start. 2-1-1 Washington is a free, confidential service available to anyone and it is responsible in Washington 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. Dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Washington State and you will reach a highly-trained information and referral specialist who will assess your needs and provide a list of referrals to available resources in your community. 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, Washington offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Washington 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 New Home Rehabilitation Program if your property is in a rural area in the state of Washington. Section 504 or the Single Family Residence Homeowner Occupied Rehabilitation Loan Program is also available to low-income rural area residents. This program offers both grants and loans to eligible homeowners. The City of Vancouver offers assistance to its residents in need through its 3% simple interest loan up to $25,000.00 that does not require monthly payments. The City of Bellevue administers a Home Repair Program that provides low- to moderate-income Bellevue homeowners with zero-interest home loans and grants for health- and safety-related repairs. Eligible repairs include roof repair and replacement. The City of Tacoma offers a Single Family Residence Homeowner Occupied Rehabilitation Loan Program. The program is designed to assist low and moderate-income Tacoma homeowners with loans up to $50,000.00. These funds may be used for your roof repair or replacement project. 

If you are in need and eligible for such programs to partially or completely cover the cost of your roof repair or roof replacement project, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. Contact the HUD office, organizations like Washington Homeownership Resource Center, 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:

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 Washington can be found at their site:  

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

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. Washington 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 in rural areas can be covered by the New Home Rehabilitation Loan Program, administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. People living in rural areas may also use Section 504 or Single Family Residence Homeowner Occupied Rehabilitation Loan Program. King County residents may use Emergency Grants or Manufactured Home Grants. And Clark County eligible homeowners may use the Housing Rehabilitation Program and get financial aid to repair their wiring. Pierce County homeowners with a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income may use funds from the Home Repair Program, funded by the Community Development Block Grant Program.

Cities like Seattle have their own Home Repair Program that provides affordable loans for owner-occupied, single-family homes with low- to moderate-income households. Electrical repair can also be covered by the Kent Home Repair Program. The City of Richland also administers an Owner Occupied Emergency Repair Program and offers funds for urgent repairs related to electrical system failures. 

If you are in need and eligible for such programs to partially or completely cover the cost of your electrical system upgrade, repair, or replacement, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements and see if you qualify. Contact the HUD office, organizations like Washington Homeownership Resource Center, 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?

Due to the current pandemics, there is 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. To be eligible for protections under the CARES Act, your mortgage must be federally owned or otherwise backed by one of the federal agencies and entities. 

What is a request for mortgage assistance?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who can get a home improvement grant?

Low and moderate-income families, seniors, veterans, single parents, disabled people, people impacted by Covid 19, as well as people impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods can get home improvement grants or zero-interest loans. In the case of home improvement grants, funds are available to help homeowners renovate their homes, and 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. Contact the HUD office, organizations like Washington Homeownership Resource Center, call 2-1-1- or get in touch with the or Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together in your area.

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