Could your house use some sprucing up?  Are there some major repairs that you would like to undertake on your home but that you just can’t seem to afford?  If so you may want to look into some of the free government grants for home repair that are available.

The Government Will Help You Fix Your House?

That’s a good question actually, and it is not as clear cut as it may seem.  While the Federal Government does not award grants for house repair directly to individuals, they do provide funds to a variety of government funded programs and organizations specifically to do just that.  It helps, of course, if you know where to look for these government funded groups and programs.  But regardless of where you get the government money from, chances are that there will only be specific things that the home improvement money will be able to be used for.

Types of Home Improvements Covered

There are three specific types of home improvements for which government funds are able to be used.  These include updating external things like the roof, siding, doors, windows, improving your water supply, sewage, adding ramps or bars for handicapped individuals as well as adding extensions to your existing home.  There are also internal home improvements that can be made, such as making the home handicapped accessible, fixing electrical or water systems or the interior roof and siding if there has been a problem.  And finally, there are grants available to improve the affordability of low incoming housing in certain neighborhoods that would otherwise go untenanted.  This is an attempt to get people to buy into and stay in neighborhoods in an effort to improve them.

One of the primary sources from which to receive this kind of funding is the Federal agency known as HUD.

The Government Funded Homeowner’s Friend

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a Federal Agency of the United States Government that has been set up specifically to assist homeowners not only in purchasing their first home (through the HUD first time homeowners assistance program) but is also directly responsible for helping out older individuals who are finding it difficult to keep their homes and (you knew this was coming!) helping out individuals who are looking to make needed home improvements on their home or property.

HUD offers a number of loans for home improvement, and specific grants for homes that come in under specific descriptions.  They also fund a number of community improvement programs that can give money directly to individuals as well.  More information on the grants and loans available through HUD can be found at:  http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD

State and Local Funding for Home Improvement Grants

Federal grant money is also available through state and local funding programs for home improvement and upkeep.  To apply for these programs you will need to visit your state and local community housing authorities.  Information for these agencies can be found on your state government’s website, and each state and local housing office will have specific information as to the types of grants or loans that you qualify for and how to go about applying for those grants or loans.