Has your home lost its moved-in sheen? Most homeowners correlate renovations
with high stress and even higher costs. Often, that leaves some homes left to
deteriorate further and inhabitants to bear an unsafe environment.
However, unbeknownst to many, numerous government avenues exist to aid in
the repair process. If your home is in dire need of renovation but your budget
won't budge, consider these aid sources.
Urgent Repair
Program (URP)
Image via Flickr by JoshuaDavisPhotography
The Urgent Repair Program (URP) aids those who are elderly, have special
needs, and have an income 50 percent below the area median income. Local
governments collaborate with non-profit companies to assist in fixing homes
that require emergency repairs. URP defines emergency repairs as those that
prove life-threatening or threatening to one's safety. In addition, the funds
can be used to install accessibility modifications to a home following an
illness, accident, or injury, such as a stroke or operation that leads to wheelchair
ambulation.
Consider applying for help from this program if your home falls into one or
more of the following categories: homeowner over age 62, handicapped or
disabled homeowner, a single parent household with a dependent, a household of
five or more, or a household in which minor children have elevated blood lead
levels. For those who are disabled and do not have a URP in place to serve
their needs, the Displacement Prevention Partnership (DPP) program may
intervene. In addition, the DPP sometimes aids those with children under age 6
who have blood lead poisoning.
Disaster Repair
Image via Flickr by turukthan
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants funds to homeowners
who experienced damages in counties designated by the president as official
disaster areas. The cost of installing a roof, to replace flooring, or to even build a new home can be very expensive. FEMA may offer financial support in the event of a tornado,
floor, hurricane, earthquake, or any other natural disaster devastations.
Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is one of
the U.S. Department of Housing and Development' oldest. Typically, the CDBG
program caters to entire neighborhoods or housing developments. The annual
grants are sent to local and state housing authorities to rejuvenate
neighborhoods that have fallen into an unsafe or run-down state.
Still, the program does not only sponsor neighborhoods. In fact, CDBG
programs often grant qualified homeowners direct aid. The program caters to
both lower and moderate income families or neighborhoods.
Rural Housing
The United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) helps middle and moderate income
families own, sanitize, and secure homes in rural areas through loans, grants,
and loan guarantee programs. For example, those over age 62 living in a rural
area and meeting other income requirements can apply for Section 504 grants to
receive assistance in home renovation. Many programs require that the
homeowners whose income falls 80% below the area median income. The grant must
resolve safety or health hazards in the home. A rural area generally means a
town populated by 10,000 residents or less.
Specifically, the Very Low-Income Housing Repair program offers loans and
grants to homeowners considered to have drastically low incomes for home
updates and reinstate home safety. This grant, too, focus on the elderly and
disabled. Another example, Mutual Self-Help Loans allow those with low and very
low incomes to build their own homes.
Duke Home Energy
Loan Pool
In certain areas, the Duke Home Energy Loan Pool (HELP), in conjunction with
other grants, provides repairs to dilapidated homes while adding an
energy efficiency priority. The loans are interest-free and awarded
annually, forgiving $1,000 of that loan each year thereafter receiving the
loan. Duke Home Energy believes that lower energy costs equate to lower cost of
living over time.
To enter the pool, one needs to be a Duke Energy holder, not have an income
that exceed the 80% median area income, and be informed of selection by a
Member organization.
Don't accept suffering in an unsafe and
uncomfortable environment. When house repairs go beyond DIY, a little research
into government aid proves worthwhile.