Home Repair Grants 2026: USDA 504, Weatherization, Local

Home Repair Help at a Glance: Which Program Fits Your Problem

Four routes cover nearly every legitimate home repair grant a household can get, and each one pays for a different kind of work. Picking the wrong one is the most common mistake: a $10,000 USDA grant can't pay for cosmetic work, and weatherization won't replace a roof just because it's old.

If you're behind on energy bills too, start with LIHEAP energy assistance: the same local agency often takes LIHEAP and weatherization applications.

USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grants and Loans

USDA's Section 504 program is one of the few federal programs that pays repair grants directly to individual homeowners, and its amounts are modest. According to USDA's Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants page (opens in a new tab), checked October 28, 2026:

Who qualifies

USDA lists four core conditions: you own and occupy the house, you can't get affordable credit elsewhere, your household income is at or below the county limit, and, for a grant, you're 62 or older. The home must be in an eligible rural area; check your address on USDA's income and property eligibility site (opens in a new tab).

The regulation adds details the program page skips. Under 7 CFR 3550.103 (opens in a new tab), older (elderly) households must put net family assets above $20,000 toward the repair before USDA covers the rest, and non-elderly households must use assets above $15,000; the value of the home itself doesn't count. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens. Loan applicants need a budget showing they can repay, and can add a cosigner if they can't.

What the money can and can't pay for

Under 7 CFR 3550.102 (opens in a new tab), grant money can only remove identified health and safety hazards or make a home accessible for a household member with a disability. Loan money can cover general repairs and improvements as long as the home stays modest. Both can cover related costs such as legal, architectural and engineering, title clearance and closing fees, plus fees charged by tax-exempt nonprofits that help package applications.

Section 504 money can't build a new home, move a mobile home, or fix a house so damaged that it would still have major hazards after the work. Mobile and manufactured homes can get hazard repairs if you own the home and the land and it sits, or will sit, on a permanent foundation.

How to apply

1. Check the address on the USDA eligibility site.
2. Call your local Rural Development office (pick your state on the USDA program page). USDA encourages, but doesn't require, a prequalification step using Form RD 3550-35 and Form RD 3550-1.
3. Submit the full application: Form RD 410-4, Form RD 3550-1, Form RD 3550-4, and the items on the checklist your office gives you.
4. Expect a wait. USDA says approval times depend on funding in your area. Under 7 CFR 3550.104, applications are accepted even when money isn't available, hazard-removal requests get funding priority, and the agency may ask you to confirm you're still interested.

DOE Weatherization Assistance Program: Free Energy Repairs

The Weatherization Assistance Program is the largest repair-type program most households can reach, and it's free to eligible households. DOE says the program weatherizes about 32,000 homes a year with DOE funds, that households save an average of $372 or more a year, and that more than 7.2 million families have been served since 1976 (DOE WAP page (opens in a new tab)).

Who qualifies

According to DOE's how-to-apply page (opens in a new tab), households at or below 200% of the poverty guidelines, or receiving Supplemental Security Income, are eligible under DOE guidelines, and each state may instead use LIHEAP's limit of 60% of state median income. Priority goes to older adults, families with a member who has a disability, families with children, high energy users and households with a high energy burden. The federal rule at 10 CFR 440.22 (opens in a new tab) also qualifies a household that received cash assistance under Title IV or XVI of the Social Security Act in the prior 12 months.

Renters are eligible. The provider needs the landlord's written permission, and in a rental building at least 66% of units (50% for duplexes, four-unit buildings and certain large multifamily buildings) must be occupied by eligible households.

What weatherization usually covers

DOE describes the process this way: an energy auditor runs a computerized assessment, analyzes your bills, does a blower-door test to measure air leaks, and inspects energy equipment and the home for health and safety problems. The auditor then writes a scope of work listing the most cost-effective measures, crews or contractors install them, and an inspector checks the finished work. DOE's program fact sheet lists building shell work such as insulation and air sealing, heating and cooling systems, lighting and appliances, plus safety checks for combustion safety, carbon monoxide and indoor air quality.

It's an energy and safety program, not a general repair program: the work has to come from the audit's list of cost-effective energy and health and safety measures, so cosmetic work or a remodel isn't covered. DOE's fact sheet notes that utilities and states add their own money to DOE's, so what's covered can vary by state.

How to apply

1. Find your state weatherization agency on DOE's how-to-apply page.
2. Get the list of local providers (community action agencies, other nonprofits or local governments), usually organized by county.
3. Apply with proof of income for the prior year.
4. If you're income eligible, you'll go on a waitlist; ask the provider how long it is and whether you qualify for priority.

City and County Repair Programs Funded by HUD

Cities, counties and states get two federal formula grants they can use for homeowner repair: the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grants. You don't apply to HUD for either. You apply to your city, county or state housing office if it chose to run a repair program.

According to HUD's CDBG page (opens in a new tab), CDBG provides annual formula grants to states, cities and counties, principally for low- and moderate-income people. 24 CFR 570.202 (opens in a new tab) lets CDBG pay to rehabilitate privately owned homes, but whether your city or county runs a homeowner repair program with it is a local choice.

HOME has firmer rules for homeowner rehab. Under 24 CFR 92.254(b) (opens in a new tab), the home must be the owner's principal residence, the household must be low-income when funds are committed, and the home's value after rehab can't exceed 95% of the area's median purchase price. HUD's definition in 24 CFR 92.2 sets low income at no more than 80% of area median income. The local government decides whether its help is a grant, a deferred loan or a repayable loan.

To find the right office, use HUD Exchange's grantee contact search (opens in a new tab) or call your city or county housing or community development department and ask, "Do you have an owner-occupied rehab or emergency repair program, and is it taking applications?"

HUD also insures Title I property improvement loans and 203(k) rehab loans through approved lenders (HUD home improvement resources (opens in a new tab)). These are loans, not grants. HUD's own page warns that deceptive contractors in these programs have done shoddy work, falsified documents and overcharged homeowners, and advises working only with a HUD-approved lender.

Weatherization and Section 504 Funding by State

According to USAspending.gov FY2025 data, the federal government obligated $1,942,392,355 under Assistance Listing 81.042 (Weatherization Assistance) and $26,756,555 under 10.417 (Section 504 Very Low-Income Housing Repair). Grantsights analysis of USAspending.gov FY2025 obligations found the 50 states and D.C. received $1.92 billion in weatherization obligations, or $5.61 per resident using Census Bureau 2025 estimates.

Two patterns stand out. Weatherization money per resident is highest in cold, rural states: Alaska received $16.44, Vermont $14.46 and Maine $14.20, while Hawaii received $1.57, California $1.87 and Florida $2.19. Specifically, Texas received $3,975,932 in Section 504 obligations, about 15% of the national total and more than twice North Carolina's $1,798,577.

Section 504 is a small program next to weatherization. Its entire FY2025 total, $26.8 million, was about 1.4% of weatherization's. If every dollar had been a maximum $10,000 grant, it would have covered at most about 2,675 homes nationwide, and the real number of grants is lower because the listing covers both repair loans and grants.

Where these numbers come from: Assistance Listings 81.042 and 10.417 on USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab), FY2025 obligations grouped by recipient state, divided by the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 state population estimates for the per-resident column. A negative amount means more money was deobligated than obligated in the year. USAspending records the recipient's state; small amounts can reflect a few awards or adjustments. Territories are left out. DOE has issued separate weatherization notices for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds, so a state's FY2025 weatherization obligations may include more than one year's regular formula money.

How to read this: a large state total doesn't mean shorter waits or bigger awards for you. It tells you where the money went in FY2025, which is useful for one thing: if your state's Section 504 total is tiny, expect a waitlist and apply for weatherization and local programs at the same time.

What USDA's Home Repair Page Doesn't Tell You

USDA's program page lists the $10,000 grant and $40,000 loan, but several rules in 7 CFR Part 3550 change who actually gets money.

1. The grant is for hazards only. Under 7 CFR 3550.102, grant funds pay only to remove health and safety hazards or for disability access. A dated kitchen, worn carpet or an old but working roof isn't a hazard. Describe the hazard plainly on your application: a leaking roof causing ceiling damage, exposed wiring, no working heat, an unsafe well.
2. You'll likely be offered a loan first if you can repay one. USDA says eligibility "considers the applicant's age, household income, and Total Debt ratio." Loan applicants must show they can repay. Older owners who can afford some payment may get a loan-and-grant mix rather than a pure grant.
3. Your savings count. Older households must use net assets above $20,000 toward the repair, under 7 CFR 3550.103. The home itself isn't counted.
4. Selling soon costs you the grant. Under 7 CFR 3550.114, you sign an agreement to repay the full grant if you sell the home less than 3 years after signing.
5. Applications are accepted even when money isn't. 7 CFR 3550.104 says USDA takes complete applications when funds aren't available, ranks hazard removal first, and then funds requests first-come, first-served. Since funded requests then move first-come, first-served, a complete application filed early in the federal fiscal year (which starts October 1) is in line sooner.
6. Rural eligibility is decided by address. Check your exact address on USDA's eligibility map instead of guessing whether your town counts.
7. Packagers can help, and their fee can be built in. Tax-exempt nonprofits that help prepare 504 applications can have reasonable packaging fees paid from the loan or grant under 7 CFR 3550.102. You shouldn't pay anyone out of pocket to apply.

Nonprofit and Volunteer Repair Programs

Nonprofits fill gaps that federal programs leave, but they're local and their rules vary. Rebuilding Together's affiliate directory (opens in a new tab) lists about 110 local affiliates, and it says information on how to apply is on each affiliate's own website, with services and application processes varying by location. Faith-based groups and local aging and disability agencies may also run repair or accessibility programs.

For older adults, the federal Eldercare Locator (opens in a new tab) (1-800-677-1116) connects families with local services for older adults. Ask the local agency it refers you to whether it knows of repair or home modification help nearby. If an older relative is weighing a move instead of a major repair, our guide to Section 202 senior housing explains how HUD's supportive housing for very-low-income seniors works.

Grantsights decision rule: apply to every route you plausibly qualify for at the same time. Each program has its own application and waitlist, and the first one to reach you may not be the one you'd expect.

Avoid Home Repair Grant Scams

Home repair is a frequent scam target. The FTC's home improvement scam guidance (opens in a new tab) lists these warning signs: a contractor who knocks on your door saying they're working nearby and have leftover materials, pressure to decide right away, demands for full payment up front or cash only, asking you to get the permits, and steering you to a lender they know.

The FTC's government grant scam page (opens in a new tab) adds that government agencies don't call, text or message you about a grant you didn't apply for, and that real grants require an application and are for a specific purpose. A common pitch combines the two: "You qualify for a free government home repair grant; we just need a fee or your bank details."

How to protect yourself:

• Start every program yourself, using the official pages linked in this guide, never a number from a caller or flyer.
• Confirm a contractor's license with your state or county and ask for proof of insurance.
• Get more than one written estimate, and read every contract before you sign. Don't sign blank or partly blank documents.
• Don't pay the full cost up front, and don't make the final payment until the work is done.
• Be wary of any loan arranged by your contractor; compare terms first.
• Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general.

Other Ways to Pay for Repairs and Lower Housing Costs

Grants rarely cover a full repair, so most households combine sources:

• LIHEAP. Federal law lets states spend up to 15% of LIHEAP funds (25% with a waiver) on low-cost weatherization and energy-related home repair, and the LIHEAP Clearinghouse says that depending on where you live, LIHEAP can help fix or replace heating and cooling equipment. See our LIHEAP guide.
• Utility programs. Ask your utility whether it runs an efficiency or repair program for income-qualified customers.
• 211. Dial 211 or visit 211.org (opens in a new tab) for local emergency repair, utility and housing help.
• Benefits that free up cash. USA.gov's benefit finder (opens in a new tab) screens for programs like SNAP and Medicaid.
• If you're buying instead: our first-time home buyer grants guide covers down payment help, and our rental assistance programs guide covers help for renters.

If you'd like a quick list of official places to start, the free Grantsights eligibility checker begins by asking who you are. Picking "Individual," then "Personal financial help," gets you official routes rather than grants: the USA.gov benefit finder, rental help, help with bills, food help and studentaid.gov, along with the 211 line. For the bigger picture on why individuals rarely get personal grants and what to use instead, read how to apply for grants as an individual.

FAQ: Common Home Repair Grant Questions

Are there government grants for home repairs?

Yes, but they're narrow. USDA Section 504 gives up to $10,000 to very-low-income rural homeowners aged 62 or older, only for hazards or accessibility. DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program pays for energy efficiency and safety work for households up to 200% of poverty. Cities and counties run repair programs with HUD HOME and CDBG funds.

How much is the USDA home repair grant?

Up to $10,000, which is also the lifetime limit. Loans go up to $40,000 at 1% for 20 years, and a combined loan and grant can reach $50,000. You repay the grant if you sell within 3 years.

Who qualifies for the USDA Section 504 home repair grant?

Owner-occupants aged 62 or older with household income at or below the county's very-low-income limit, who can't get affordable credit elsewhere, in an eligible rural area. Older households must use net assets above $20,000 toward the repair first.

Are there free home repairs for seniors?

Sometimes. The USDA 504 grant is for owners 62 and older, and weatherization gives older adults priority. Local governments and nonprofits such as Rebuilding Together affiliates may offer free or low-cost repairs, with local rules and waitlists.

How do I apply for the Weatherization Assistance Program?

Find your state agency on DOE's how-to-apply page (opens in a new tab), contact your county's local provider, and bring proof of prior-year income. Eligible households go on a waitlist, then get an energy audit and the measures it recommends.

Can renters get weatherization or repair help?

Renters can get weatherization with the landlord's written permission. USDA Section 504 and HOME homeowner rehab are for owner-occupants.

Is a free home repair grant offer from a contractor or caller real?

Assume it's a scam until you confirm it with the agency directly. Government agencies don't contact you about grants you didn't apply for, and the FTC says never to pay a fee to get a grant.

---

Sources

1. USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants (Section 504) (opens in a new tab) - limits, terms, eligibility, application forms
2. 7 CFR 3550.102 (opens in a new tab), 3550.103 (opens in a new tab), 3550.104 (opens in a new tab), and 3550.114 (opens in a new tab) - uses, eligibility, asset rules, application priority, repayment agreement
3. USDA income and property eligibility site (opens in a new tab) - rural area and income checks
4. DOE Weatherization Assistance Program (opens in a new tab) and How to Apply (opens in a new tab) - homes served, savings, eligibility, process
5. DOE WAP fact sheet (opens in a new tab) - typical measures and safety checks
6. 10 CFR 440.22 (opens in a new tab) - eligible dwelling units and rental rules
7. 24 CFR 92.254 (opens in a new tab) and 24 CFR 92.2 (opens in a new tab) - HOME homeowner rehab rules and low-income definition
8. HUD CDBG (opens in a new tab) and HUD home improvements (opens in a new tab) - local repair funding and HUD-insured repair loans
9. Rebuilding Together affiliate directory (opens in a new tab)
10. FTC: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam (opens in a new tab) and FTC: Government Grant Scams (opens in a new tab)
11. USAspending.gov award search (opens in a new tab) - FY2025 obligations for 81.042 and 10.417