Connecting Constituents to Federal Programs That Fund Home Repairs or Modifications
Congressional research reportJan 30, 2026
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Connecting Constituents to Federal Programs
That Fund Home Repairs or Modifications
Updated January 30, 2026
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R48544
SUMMARY
Connecting Constituents to Federal Programs
That Fund Home Repairs or Modifications
R48544
January 30, 2026
Carla Berry
Research Librarian
This report provides information and resources to assist congressional offices with responding to
constituent questions about potential federal funding for home repairs, modifications,
rehabilitation, or improvements. It provides a brief overview of federal grants, loans, and other
Katie Jones
types of assistance that homeowners may be able to access to repair, rehabilitate, improve, or
Analyst in Housing Policy
modify their homes, and provides links to program websites for additional information. Some of
the included programs can be used for home repair purposes broadly, while others are targeted to
specific types of repairs or improvements (e.g., lead paint abatement, weatherization) or
populations (e.g., veterans, rural homeowners). Additionally, while some programs provide
assistance directly to individuals, many provide funding to states, local governments, or nonprofit organizations to
administer, meaning available programs and their features can vary by area. The report also provides information on certain
resources that constituents may find helpful in locating home repair programs in their area.
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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
General Home Repair ...................................................................................................................... 2
FHA Loan Programs ................................................................................................................. 2
FHA Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program ..................................... 2
FHA Title I Property Improvement Loans .......................................................................... 3
HUD Block Grants .................................................................................................................... 4
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)................................................................ 4
HOME Investment Partnerships Program........................................................................... 5
Programs Supporting Specific Types of Home Repair Activities.................................................... 5
Lead and Other Home Health Hazards ..................................................................................... 5
Lead Hazard Grants ............................................................................................................ 5
Healthy Homes Programs ................................................................................................... 6
Energy Efficiency and Residential Clean Energy ..................................................................... 6
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) ........................................................................ 6
FHA Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) .......................................................................... 7
Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebates .................................................................. 8
Programs Targeted to Specific Populations ..................................................................................... 9
Veterans ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Program for Veterans with Service-Connected
Disabilities ....................................................................................................................... 9
Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grants .......................................... 9
VA Guaranteed Home Loans............................................................................................. 10
Native American Direct Loans (NADL) ........................................................................... 10
Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program .................................... 11
Owners of Properties in Rural Areas ........................................................................................ 11
USDA Section 504 Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants .............................. 11
USDA Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants ............................................................. 12
Seniors ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP) Grants ......................................... 13
Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) ............................................................... 14
Members of Federally Recognized Tribes in Tribal Areas ...................................................... 14
Indian Housing Block Grant Program (IHBG) ................................................................. 14
Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program ........................................................ 15
BIA Housing Improvement Program ................................................................................ 16
Residents of Manufactured Homes ......................................................................................... 16
PRICE Program ................................................................................................................ 16
Other Programs.............................................................................................................................. 17
Federal Home Loan Banks Affordable Housing Program ...................................................... 17
NeighborWorks America ......................................................................................................... 17
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) ............................................................................ 17
Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) ...................................................................................... 18
Tax-Advantaged Accounts and Other Tax Treatment of Certain Qualified Medical
Expenses .............................................................................................................................. 18
Additional Resources .................................................................................................................... 19
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Contacts
Author Information........................................................................................................................ 20
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Introduction
This report provides information and resources to aid congressional offices in responding to
constituent requests related to home repairs, modifications, rehabilitation, or improvements
(collectively referred to in this report as “home repair”). It includes information on federal
funding for general home repairs as well as specialized types of home improvements, such as
weatherization activities, lead hazard remediation, or home modifications to accommodate older
adults or veterans with disabilities.
A number of federal programs can potentially be used for home repair. These programs differ in a
number of ways, including the federal department that administers them, the type of assistance
provided (e.g., loans, grants), how funds are distributed (e.g., directly to property owners, through
states, local governments, nonprofit organizations), and eligibility criteria (e.g., income limits). In
addition, some programs are limited to specific populations (e.g., veterans, older Americans),
purposes (e.g., lead paint abatement, weatherization), or geographies (e.g., rural areas).
Many home repair programs—including those that use federal funds—are administered by state
or local governmental agencies or nonprofits. In these cases, the specific features of available
home repair programs, such as some eligibility criteria and the types of home repairs that are
eligible, can vary by area.
The following sections discuss federal programs that homeowners may be able to access for
assistance with home repair, focusing on resources that can be used for owner-occupied housing.1
For each program, basic information is provided about the program’s purpose, eligibility criteria,2
and funding distribution method, along with information on how homeowners can apply for
assistance and links to program websites for additional information.3 The final section of the
report provides information on additional resources that may be helpful in connecting
homeowners with home repair assistance options.
A Note on Disaster Response and Hazard Mitigation
This report does not include programs that provide funding specifically for home repair or rehabilitation activities
for homes damaged by presidentially declared disasters, such as programs administered by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Similarly, the report does not discuss
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Community Development Block Grants for
Disaster Response (CDBG-DR), which provide funding to assist with communities’ long-term recovery efforts
after some presidentially declared disasters.
•
For more information on FEMA and SBA programs that can be used to repair homes damaged by disasters,
see CRS Report R45238, FEMA and SBA Disaster Assistance for Individuals and Households: Application Processes,
Determinations, and Appeals; FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program; and SBA’s
website at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
•
For more information on CDBG-DR, see CRS Report R46475, The Community Development Block Grant’s
Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Component: Background and Issues and HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/
hud-partners/community-cdbg-dr.
1 This report is intended to include the federal programs most commonly used for home repair activities; however, it
does not include every program that could potentially be used for such purposes. While the report is focused on
resources that homeowners can access for repairs to owner-occupied housing, in some cases where programs can also
be used by rental property owners, information on rental property eligibility criteria is included.
2 While this report describes certain key eligibility criteria for each program, it does not cover all eligibility criteria that
apply. Interested homeowners can consult program guidance and with program administrators for more information on
eligibility.
3 Not all programs discussed in this report are necessarily currently advertising for or making new awards. Those
interested in more information about a listed program or its status should contact the administering agency.
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This report also does not include programs specifically for hazard mitigation activities that communities can use to
make housing more resilient to disasters. These projects are funded through the community, but can be used for
mitigation for individual homes. For more information on FEMA hazard mitigation programs, see CRS Insight
IN11187, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance or FEMA’s website at
https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation.
Although this report does not discuss programs that are specifically intended for disaster response or hazard
mitigation, some of the broader programs discussed in it could potentially be used by homeowners to address
disaster-caused damage or for mitigation activities.
General Home Repair
Some programs can potentially provide assistance with a broad range of eligible home repair
activities. These programs may be subject to maximum allowable incomes4 or other federal
eligibility criteria, but are not otherwise limited to specific populations (such as veterans or older
homeowners) or specific types of home repairs (such as lead paint remediation). In the case of
some flexible federal block grant programs, however, the state or local grantees that receive the
funds can decide whether or how any funds are used for home repair activities. To the extent
these grantees choose to use funds for home repair activities, they may require that the funds be
used for certain types of repairs or certain populations.
FHA Loan Programs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Federal Housing
Administration (FHA) insures eligible mortgages that are made by private lenders. Some FHAinsured mortgages can be used for home repair.
FHA Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program
Administering Agency: FHA
Purpose: Through this program, FHA insures eligible mortgages made by private lenders for the
purposes of purchasing and rehabilitating, or refinancing and rehabilitating, a single-family home.
It allows the costs of purchasing (or refinancing) and rehabilitating the property to be financed
through a single loan. Borrowers pay fees in exchange for the mortgage insurance. There is both a
Standard 203(k) program and a Limited 203(k) program.
Under the Standard 203(k) program, borrowers can finance amounts for major repairs (including
structural repairs), subject to overall FHA loan limits.5 Eligible uses of funds include, but are not
limited to, structural alterations; converting one-unit structures to multi-unit structures or
constructing an attached accessory dwelling unit; repairing or replacing plumbing, heating, air
conditioning, or electrical systems; installing or repairing septic systems; roofing; and creating
accessibility for people with disabilities.
4 Many of the programs discussed throughout this report include income limits where the household’s income cannot
exceed a specified percentage of area median income. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) publishes the dollar amounts of different income limits by geographic area on its website at
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html.
5 Examples of eligible repairs that can be financed using Standard 203(k) funds are listed in Section II.A.8.a.vi.(A) of
HUD Handbook 4000.1, FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook, available at https://www.hud.gov/
program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh. Examples of ineligible activities, which include activities
related to luxury items, improvements that do not become a permanent part of the property, and improvements that
solely benefit commercial functions, are listed in Section II.A.8.a.vi.(B).
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Under the Limited 203(k) program, borrowers can finance a more limited amount—up to $75,000
in rehabilitation costs—for relatively minor, nonstructural repairs.6 Some eligible uses of funds
are the same as those under the Standard 203(k) program, including addressing plumbing,
heating, air conditioning, or electrical systems; septic systems; roofing; and accessibility, among
other things; however, major rehabilitation or remodeling and structural alterations are not
permitted.
Eligibility: Borrowers and properties must meet FHA underwriting and other requirements. There
are no income limits, but the combined mortgage amount for the purchase/refinance and
rehabilitation costs cannot exceed FHA’s maximum mortgage amount, which varies by area.7 The
Standard 203(k) program requires the use of an FHA-approved 203(k) consultant, who acts as an
intermediary between the borrower, contractor, and lender; the consultant performs functions such
as inspections, work writeups, and cost estimates, and ensures that work is completed in
accordance with FHA requirements.8
How to Apply: Individuals can apply through an FHA-approved lender that makes Section
203(k) loans.9
Website: https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/single-family-mortgage-programs-203k
FHA Title I Property Improvement Loans
Administering Agency: FHA
Purpose: Through this program, FHA insures eligible loans made by private lenders for the
purposes of improving a property. (Unlike Section 203(k) loans, Title I loans are solely for the
eligible home repair costs and do not involve simultaneously purchasing or refinancing a
property.) Eligible repairs and improvements include structural changes, central air conditioning,
heating, plumbing, septic tank replacement, and other improvements.10
Eligibility: Borrowers and properties must meet FHA underwriting and other requirements.
Loans over $7,500 must be secured by a lien on the property. There are no income limits, but the
loan must not exceed the Title I maximum loan amount for the type of property involved
($25,000 for a secured loan on a one-unit residential property as of the cover date of this report).11
FHA requires an annual fee for Title I loans that is charged to the lender but may be passed on to
the borrower.
6 Examples of eligible repairs that can be financed using Limited 203(k) funds are listed in Section II.A.8.a.vii.(A) of
HUD Handbook 4000.1, FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook, available at https://www.hud.gov/
program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh. Ineligible activities are described in Section II.A.8.a.vii.(B).
7 To find FHA maximum mortgage amounts in a specific area, see HUD’s website at https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/
hicostlook.cfm.
8 Information on the role of 203(k) consultants is available in a HUD fact sheet at https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/
SFH/documents/MO_203k_CnsltRole_FS.pdf. A tool to search for 203(k) consultants is available on HUD’s website at
https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/f17cnsltdata.cfm.
9 To search for FHA-approved lenders, see HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/
lender/lenderlist. Under “Rehabilitation,” there is an option to limit the search to FHA-approved lenders who have
originated a 203(k) loan within the last year.
10 Eligible repairs and improvements under Title I are listed in Section II.E.2.c.ii.(E) of HUD Handbook 4000.1, FHA
Single Family Housing Policy Handbook, available at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/administration/hudclips/
handbooks/hsgh. Ineligible improvements are listed in Section II.E.2.c.iii.
11 Loan limits for the Title I program are in Section II.E.2.b.i.(A) of HUD Handbook 4000.1, FHA Single Family
Housing Policy Handbook, available at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/
hsgh. Different limits apply for other property types.
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How to Apply: Individuals can apply through an FHA-approved lender that makes Title I loans.12
Website: https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/single-family-title
HUD Block Grants
Two HUD block grants, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME
Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), provide formula funds to states and eligible local
governments that can be used for a number of allowable purposes, including home repair.
However, the extent to which any funds are used for home repair rather than other eligible
activities is at the discretion of the state or local government that administers the funds. Not all
states or local governments will necessarily use any of these block grant funds for home repair
activities, and those that do can choose to structure their programs in different ways (within
federal parameters, such as income restrictions). Therefore, while these programs can be used for
home repairs in general, in practice, states or localities may only allow certain targeted types of
home repairs or may limit eligibility to certain populations.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Administering Agency: HUD
Purpose: CDBG is a block grant program that provides annual formula grants to states and
eligible local governments. Funds can be used for a range of affordable housing, economic
development, and infrastructure activities that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income
individuals. Home repair is an eligible use of CDBG funds, at the discretion of the recipient state
and local governments. Some examples of eligible home repair activities include, but are not
limited to, roof repair, accessibility modifications, plumbing repairs, and energy efficiency
upgrades.
Eligibility: CDBG activities must meet one of three national objectives: principally benefiting
low- and moderate-income persons (meaning that at least 51% of beneficiaries are low- or
moderate-income), preventing or eliminating slums or blight, or addressing an urgent need posing
a threat to the community’s health or welfare. Regardless of the objective, at least 70% of a
jurisdiction’s CDBG funding must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income households over
a one-, two-, or three-year period. For the purposes of CDBG, “low and moderate income” is
defined as household income at or below 80% of area median income.
How to Apply: CDBG funds are awarded directly to states and eligible local governments, not to
individuals. If a state or local government uses CDBG funds for homeowner rehabilitation
activities, individual homeowners would apply through the grantee or a subgrantee that
administers the CDBG funds for that purpose. Individuals can contact local CDBG grantees to
learn more about any available programs in their area.13
Website: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/cdbg/
12 To search for FHA-approved lenders, see HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/
lender/lenderlist. Under “Insurance Type,” there is an option to limit the search to FHA-approved lenders who originate
Title I property improvement loans.
13 For local CDBG grantee contact information, see https://www.hudexchange.info/grantees/contacts/. (On the left
sidebar, select the state, then check the box for CDBG.)
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HOME Investment Partnerships Program
Administering Agency: HUD
Purpose: HOME is a block grant program that provides annual formula grants to states and
eligible local governments that can be used for a range of affordable housing activities that
benefit low-income households. Home repair is one eligible use of HOME program funding, at
the discretion of the recipient states and local governments. Grantees may provide funds to
individuals in various forms, such as grants or loans.
Eligibility: Home repair activities funded through HOME must benefit low-income households
(households with incomes at or below 80% of area median income) who occupy the home as their
primary residence. The home value cannot exceed a maximum amount after rehabilitation. A
minimum of $1,000 in HOME funds must be invested per housing unit assisted, and there is also
a maximum per-unit amount of HOME funds that can be provided, which varies by area. Housing
rehabilitated with HOME funds must meet all applicable state and local codes after rehabilitation.
This requirement, as well as the minimum amount of HOME funds that must be invested per unit,
may limit jurisdictions’ use of HOME funds for more minor or specialized types of home repairs.
How to Apply: HOME funds are awarded directly to states and eligible local governments, not to
individuals. If a state or local government uses HOME funds for home repair activities, individual
homeowners would apply through the grantee or a subgrantee that administers the HOME funds
for that purpose. Individuals can contact local HOME grantees to learn more about any available
programs in their area.14
Website: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/home/
Programs Supporting Specific Types of Home
Repair Activities
Some federal programs provide funding that can be used for specific types of home repair
purposes, such as addressing lead hazards or making homes more energy efficient.
Lead and Other Home Health Hazards
Lead Hazard Grants
Administering Agency: HUD
Purpose: Lead Hazard grants are competitive grants awarded to states, local governments, or
tribes to identify and control lead hazards in owner-occupied or rental housing. In some years,
additional funding is available through the Healthy Homes Supplement for the repair of
additional home health hazards in conjunction with lead hazard remediation activities funded with
a Lead Hazard grant.
Eligibility: Grantees provide assistance to eligible homeowners or rental property owners.
Homeowners must be “low-income,” defined as having income no higher than 80% of area
median income. In the case of rental housing, occupants must be low-income, and at least half of
occupants must be “very low-income,” defined as having income no higher than 50% of area
14 For local HOME grantee contact information, see https://www.hudexchange.info/grantees/contacts/. (On the left
sidebar, select the state, then check the box for HOME.)
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median income (in properties with five or more units, up to 20% of units can be occupied by
higher-income residents). Assistance is targeted to the oldest homes (those built prior to 1940)
that are occupied by children under six.
How to Apply: Eligible grantees apply in response to periodic Notices of Funding Opportunity
(NOFOs) published by HUD.15 Homeowners or rental property owners apply through the state,
local, or tribal grantees that are awarded funds. A list of grantees is available on HUD’s website at
https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/HH/documents/OLHCHH_Website_ActiveGrantees_POC.pdf .
Website: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/lead-hazard-control-and-healthy-homesprograms/
Healthy Homes Programs
In addition to the Lead Hazard grants and the Healthy Homes Supplement, Congress sometimes
provides HUD with additional funding to address other health and safety hazards for low-income
households (see, for example, the “Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP) Grants”
section). Availability of these resources varies from year to year based on annual appropriations.
Individuals can check with their state or local government about any available funds.
Energy Efficiency and Residential Clean Energy16
Some federal programs are available specifically for activities related to weatherization, enhanced
energy efficiency, or residential clean energy generation. In addition to the targeted programs
described in this section, some of the programs described elsewhere in this report can potentially
be used for certain types of energy upgrades as well as other eligible home repairs. There may
also be other federal programs not discussed here that can be used for energy efficiency purposes
under certain circumstances; for example, under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP), grantees may choose to set aside a limited amount of funds to use for
weatherization activities.17 Some LIHEAP grantees may administer their LIHEAP weatherization
funding together with Weatherization Assistance Program funds (described below).
Programs discussed in this section are also described in CRS In Focus IF12971, Connecting
Constituents with Federal Assistance for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects:
Resources for Individuals.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Administering Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Purpose: Through this program, DOE provides formula grants to states and tribes to use to assist
low-income households to make their homes more energy-efficient, reduce their energy
15 In general, HUD’s NOFOs are available on HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/cfo/gmomgmt/
grantsinfo/fundingopps.
16 In addition to the programs discussed in this section, two nonrefundable income tax credits—the Energy Efficient
Home Improvement Credit (EEHIC) and the Residential Clean Energy Credit (RCEC)—were previously available for
certain qualifying home energy improvements. These tax credits are not available for improvements made after
December 31, 2025. For more information, see the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website at https://www.irs.gov/
instructions/i5695.
17 For more information on LIHEAP, see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap. Contact information for state
LIHEAP grantees is available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/map/liheap-map-state-and-territory-contact-listing;
contact information for tribal grantees is available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/map/liheap-map-tribal-contactlisting.
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consumption, and improve their health and safety. Eligible uses include activities such as
installing insulation, repairing or replacing windows or doors, and repairing or replacing water
heaters.18 States allocate the funds to local governments and weatherization agencies to
administer.
The program includes per-dwelling funding limits and cost-effectiveness requirements for
materials. As a result, some home improvements are not eligible for WAP funding, such as
complete roof replacement, certain electrical or plumbing repairs, and other repairs for large,
structural problems. In such cases, households can be deferred by the program until such repairs
are made.19 To address deferrals, Congress included the Weatherization Readiness Fund (WRF) in
the Explanatory Statement of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103).20 Annual
WRF funding is included as a set-aside fund within the overall annual WAP appropriation, with
funds to “address necessary repairs (e.g. Health and Safety issues, structural) in dwellings that
have been deferred from receiving weatherization services.”21
Eligibility: Housing units are eligible if they are occupied by households with incomes no higher
than 200% of the federal poverty level; have received certain cash assistance over the previous
twelve months; or, at the state’s discretion, are eligible for LIHEAP. Grantees must have
procedures in place to prioritize weatherization assistance for some eligible households; namely,
the elderly, people with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and
households with high energy burden. Rental units are eligible under certain circumstances,
including that the owner has given written permission and at least a certain percentage of units are
income-eligible units or will become eligible within 180 days.
How to Apply: Households apply through local weatherization agencies. A DOE website
(https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/how-apply-weatherization-assistance) provides contact
information for state weatherization agencies, which in turn can provide information on local
agencies serving a given area.
To apply for WRF assistance, households must first apply for weatherization assistance through
their local weatherization offices, as noted above. Households eligible for WRF assistance
include dwellings that have been “deferred from receiving weatherization services, or dwellings
that are currently in the [WAP] queue to be weatherized, but at risk of deferral.”22
Website: https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program
FHA Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs)
Administering Agency: FHA
18 An August 2023 DOE fact sheet that provides information on typical weatherization measures is available at
https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/2023-WAP-Fact-Sheet.pdf.
19 For a more detailed list of reasons houses are deferred by WAP, see the National Association for State Community
Services Programs “Deferrals” website at https://nascsp.org/wap/waptac/wap-resources/health-safety-resources/
deferrals/.
20 Explanatory Statement for Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Congressional Record, p. H2257, March 9, 2022.
Also see the “Legal Authority” and “Background” sections of Department of Energy, Weatherization Program Notice
22-6 (April 14, 2022) at https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/wpn-22-6.pdf.
21 Department of Energy, Weatherization Program Notice 22-6 (April 14, 2022) at https://www.energy.gov/sites/
default/files/2022-04/wpn-22-6.pdf.
22 Department of Energy, Weatherization Program Notice 24-9 (April 14, 2025) at https://www.energy.gov/sites/
default/files/2025-04/wap-wpn-24-9-revised_041425.pdf.
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Purpose: Through this program, borrowers can finance certain cost-effective energy efficient
improvements as part of an FHA-insured mortgage to purchase or refinance a home.23
Eligibility: Borrowers and properties must meet FHA underwriting and other requirements. The
dollar amount of an energy package that can be added to the loan amount cannot exceed certain
limits, but the FHA maximum mortgage amounts can be exceeded by the amount of the financed
energy package. Borrowers must obtain a home energy assessment conducted by a qualified
professional to identify potential improvements and their cost-effectiveness. Like other FHA
loans, borrowers pay fees in exchange for the insurance.
How to Apply: Individuals can apply through an FHA-approved lender that makes EEMs.24
Website: A fact sheet on FHA EEMs is available on the energystar.gov website at
https://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/bldrs_lenders_raters/EEM_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebates
Administering Agency: DOE
Purpose: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA, P.L. 117-169) provided funding to be distributed by
formula to states and tribes to use for two home energy rebate programs. The Home Owner
Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) program provides rebates for certain energy efficiency
upgrades that improve the overall performance of single-family homes or multifamily properties,
while the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR) program provides rebates for certain
qualified electrification projects. (The HEEHR program is also referred to as the Home
Electrification and Appliances Rebate [HEAR] program.)
Eligibility: Rebates are available to homeowners and rental property owners that make qualifying
upgrades. Single-family homes can qualify for HOMES rebates regardless of household income,
but the maximum rebate amounts (which range from $2,000 to $8,000) are higher for households
with incomes below 80% of area median income and for upgrades that produce higher energy
savings. For multifamily properties, building owners are eligible for HOMES rebates up to a cap
that varies based on energy savings and the number of units occupied by households with
incomes below 80% of area median income. HEEHR rebates are available to households with
incomes no higher than 150% of area median income; households with incomes below 80% of
area median income can claim 100% of the cost of the upgrades, while those with incomes
between 80% and 150% of area median income can claim up to 50% of their costs, subject to a
cap. For multifamily properties, building owners are eligible for HEEHR rebates of 50% of costs
if at least half of the units are occupied by households with incomes no higher than 150% of area
median income, and rebates of 100% of the costs if at least half of the units are occupied by
households with incomes below 80% of area median income. HEEHR rebates are capped at
$14,000.
How to Apply: Households can contact their state energy office for information on program
status and how to apply.25
23 In addition to EEMs, FHA also allows borrowers to finance certain weatherization improvements or the installation
of certain solar or wind technologies as part of a home purchase or refinance mortgage insured by FHA. For more
information, see HUD Handbook 4000.1, FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook, §§II.A.8.c, II.A.8.l, and
II.A.8.m, https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh.
24 To search for FHA-approved lenders, see HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/
lender/lenderlist.
25 A directory of state energy offices can be found on the National Association of State and Energy Officials (NASEO)
State and Territory Energy Offices website at https://www.naseo.org/members-states.
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Website: Information on these rebate programs is available on the energystar.gov website at
https://www.energystar.gov/partner-resources/web_linking_policy/homes-program and
https://www.energystar.gov/partner-resources/state-and-tribal-rebate-programs/hear-program.
Programs Targeted to Specific Populations
Some federal programs that can be used for home repairs are targeted to specific populations or
certain types of areas. This section describes programs that are specifically targeted to veterans,
owners of properties in rural areas, older adults, members of federally recognized tribes in tribal
areas, and residents of manufactured homes.
Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers a number of programs specifically for
veterans that can be used for certain types of home repairs. In addition, a grant program
administered by HUD in partnership with VA provides funds for organizations to carry out home
repairs for low-income or disabled veterans.
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Program for Veterans with ServiceConnected Disabilities
Administering Agency: VA
Purpose: Through this program, VA provides grants for veterans and servicemembers with
certain qualifying service-connected disabilities to modify their homes or to build or purchase a
home with needed modifications. Examples of modifications include installation of wheel chair
ramps, the widening of doorways, and the addition of handrails and grab bars.
Eligibility: Recipients must have a qualifying service-connected disability and must own (or
eventually own) the home as a permanent residence. Qualifying service-connected disabilities are
described in law and on the VA website.26 Eligible veterans can receive up to a maximum amount
in grant funds ($126,526 in FY2026). A related program, Special Home Adaptation Grants,
provides a lesser amount of funding (up to $25,350 in FY2026) for modifications for eligible
veterans and servicemembers with certain other qualifying service-connected disabilities that are
described in law and on the VA website.
How to Apply: Individuals apply directly through the VA. Applications can be made online, by
mail, or in-person at the nearest VA regional office.27 More information on how to apply is
available on VA’s website at https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants/
how-to-apply.
Website: https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants/
Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grants
Administering Agency: VA
26 See VA’s website at https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants/ for a list of qualifying service-
connected disabilities.
27 To search for a VA regional office, see VA’s website at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits
(search for “VA benefits” under “Facility Type”).
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Purpose: Through this program, VA provides grants for medically necessary modifications to a
veteran’s or servicemember’s primary residence. Eligible modifications include alterations to
allow for entrance or exit from the home; use of essential bathroom, kitchen, or laundry facilities;
or accessibility of kitchen or bathroom sinks or counters.
Eligibility: VA provides grants up to $6,800 for structural alterations and modifications to address
service-connected disabilities or up to $2,000 to address other types of disabilities. A VA
physician must write or approve a prescription for the required modifications.
How to Apply: Applicants apply directly to VA. Application requirements are listed on VA’s
website.28
Website: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/hisa2.asp
VA Guaranteed Home Loans
Administering Agency: VA
Purpose: VA guarantees mortgages made to eligible veterans to purchase, refinance, construct, or
repair a single-family home. VA-guaranteed mortgages can be used to finance alterations and
repairs, including energy efficiency improvements, as part of a home purchase or refinance.29
Borrowers of existing VA-guaranteed mortgages may also be able to qualify for a supplemental
loan to finance alterations, improvements, or repairs to the property securing the mortgage.30
Eligibility: Borrowers must be eligible veterans and meet VA underwriting requirements. For
loans that include funding for alterations or repairs, the loan amount must be supported by the
value of the improvements. The home must meet VA minimum property requirements prior to the
issuance of the loan guarantee certificate. For supplemental loans, eligible improvements must
protect or improve the basic livability or utility of the property and funds must primarily be used
for the maintenance, replacement, improvement, or acquisition of real property (including
fixtures). Borrowers pay a funding fee to VA.
How to Apply: Individuals apply through approved private lenders. Borrowers must obtain a
Certificate of Eligibility in order to apply for a loan.31
Website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/
Native American Direct Loans (NADL)
Administering Agency: VA
Purpose: Through this program, VA provides direct loans to eligible Native American veterans to
purchase, build, or modify a home on federal trust land that will be used as a primary residence.
The costs of home repair can be included in an NADL to purchase a home.
Eligibility: The applicant must be a Native American veteran (or a non-Native American veteran
married to a Native American). Eligible Native Americans include members of federally
recognized tribes and Alaska Native Villages as well as Native Hawaiians and natives of
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and Guam. Borrowers and
28 See the section “Applying for a HISA Benefit” at https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/hisa2.asp.
29 See Chapter 7 of the VA Lenders Handbook at https://benefits.va.gov/warms/pam26_7.asp.
30 See 38 C.F.R. §36.4359, and Chapter 7 of the VA Lenders Handbook at https://benefits.va.gov/warms/pam26_7.asp.
31 For more information on how to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, see https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-
loans/how-to-request-coe/.
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properties must meet underwriting standards and other requirements. Loan amounts depend on
the value of the home, up to an overall maximum loan limit. The home must be located on trust
land, and VA must ensure that certain requirements are met (e.g., certain procedures related to
foreclosure are in place). Borrowers pay a funding fee to VA.
How to Apply: Individuals apply directly to VA and can contact an NADL coordinator to begin
the process.32 Borrowers must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility in order to apply for a loan.
Website: https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/loan-types/native-american-directloan/
Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program
Administering Agency: HUD, in partnership with VA
Purpose: Through this program, HUD provides competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to
modify or rehabilitate the primary residences of low-income veterans with disabilities. Eligible
modifications include changes to accommodate a disability (e.g., wheel chair ramps),
rehabilitating homes in disrepair, and, under certain circumstances, energy efficiency activities.
Eligibility: Eligible grantees are nonprofit organizations that provide nationwide or statewide
programs that primarily serve veterans or people with low incomes. Eligible individuals that can
be assisted with program funds must be low-income veterans; “low-income” is defined as
household income no higher than 80% of area median income. The home must be the veteran’s
primary residence. Individual program NOFOs may specify additional eligibility criteria.
How to Apply: Eligible entities can apply to HUD in response to published NOFOs. Individuals
apply through the entities that are awarded funds.33
Website: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/rural/veterans-housing-rehabilitation-andmodification-pilot-program/
Owners of Properties in Rural Areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Rural Housing Service (RHS) administers a
number of housing programs in rural areas,34 including some programs that can be used for home
repair.
USDA Section 504 Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants
Administering Agency: RHS
Purpose: Through this program, RHS provides direct loans or grants to very low-income rural
homeowners to make repairs or improvements to their properties. Grant funds are available for
elderly homeowners and can be used to remove health and safety hazards or make properties
accessible to household members with disabilities. Loan funds have no age restrictions and can be
32 For information on how to contact an NADL coordinator, see https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/
loan-types/native-american-direct-loan/.
33 Recent grantees are listed at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/rural/veterans-housing-rehabilitation-andmodification-pilot-program/.
34 USDA’s website has a map showing eligible rural areas as defined for the purposes of the RHS rural housing
programs at https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do. Homeowners can search their address to
see if it is located in an eligible rural area.
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used for more general repairs or improvements as well as to address health or safety hazards or to
make properties accessible.
Eligibility: Eligibility for both loans and grants is limited to very low-income homeowners in
rural areas; “very low-income” is defined as household income no higher than 50% of area
median income.35 To qualify for a grant (rather than a loan), applicants must also be age 62 or
older. Loans of $7,500 or higher must be secured by a lien on the property. Maximum grant and
loan amounts apply; as of the cover date of this report, the maximum lifetime grant amount is
$10,000, and the maximum outstanding Section 504 loan balance for a borrower may not exceed
$40,000.36
How to Apply: Homeowners can apply through their local USDA Rural Development (RD)
office.37
Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/singlefamily-housing-repair-loans-grants
USDA Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants
Administering Agency: RHS
Purpose: Through this program, USDA provides competitive grants to eligible entities for home
repair activities in rural areas.38 Eligible entities can use the funds to provide grants or loans to
eligible homeowners or rental property owners.
Eligibility: State and local government entities, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized
Indian tribes, and consortia of government or nonprofit entities that meet specified eligibility
criteria are eligible to apply for funds. Homeowners who receive assistance through grantees must
be “low-income”—defined as income no higher than 80% of area median income—and rental
property owners that receive assistance must rent their units to households who are low-income.
Funds must be used in eligible rural areas.
How To Apply: Eligible entities apply to USDA in response to published Notices of Funding
Availability. Individual homeowners or rental property owners apply through the eligible entities
that receive funding. Individuals can contact their local USDA RD office to learn about any
organizations with active Housing Preservation Grant programs in their area.39
Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/housingpreservation-grants
35 Very low-income limits by area are available on USDA’s website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/RD-
DirectLimitMap.pdf.
36 See Chapter 12, Section 12-8 of USDA Handbook HB-1-3550, Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants–
Field Office Handbook, available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/directives/handbooks.
37 To locate a local USDA RD office, see https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=rd.
38 Eligible activities are described in regulations at 7 C.F.R. §1944.664 and include, but are not limited to, activities
such as installation or repair of water and waste disposal systems, repair or replacement of heating systems, roof
replacement or repair, energy conservation activities, and alterations to provide accessibility for those with disabilities.
39 To locate a local USDA RD office, see https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=rd.
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Seniors
Certain HUD programs that support home repair activities are specifically for older adults.40
In addition to the HUD programs described in this section, the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) funds programs for older adults that are authorized to provide home
modifications and repairs, among other authorized activities. For example, local Area Agencies
on Aging (AAAs) established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) may provide assistance with
home modifications or repairs for older adults or people with disabilities. Local AAAs may use a
range of federal and nonfederal funding sources to fund such activities. Federal funding sources
can include funding from the OAA Title III B Supportive Services program, which can be used
for a range of services. In addition, Medicaid home and community-based services waivers can be
used to assist Medicaid recipients who are elderly or have disabilities with certain types of home
repair, in order to enable them to continue living in their homes.41 Homeowners can contact their
local AAA for more information about any assistance available in their area.42
Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP) Grants
Administering Agency: HUD
Purpose: Through this program, HUD provides competitive grants to fund home modifications
for seniors who are at least 62 years old that are designed to enable the recipient to remain at
home as an alternative to moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility. This funding allows
eligible homeowners to make modifications that enhance safety, improve accessibility, and
provide an overall quality of life for seniors and focuses on “low-cost, high-impact”
modifications, such as the installation of grab bars or railings or installation of adaptive
equipment.
Eligibility: Eligible grantees are state and local governments, tribal governments, Public Housing
Authorities (PHAs), and nonprofit organizations. Grantees can use funds to assist “low-income
seniors”—defined as those with household incomes no higher than 80% of area median income
who are at least 62 years old—with modifications to their primary residence.
How to Apply: Eligible entities can apply to HUD in response to published NOFOs. Eligible
homeowners apply for assistance through grantees that have been awarded funds.43
Website: Information on this program is available on the SAM.gov website at https://sam.gov/fal/
bae92632f0ca43ad943475014d797e34/view.
40 USDA Section 504 home repair grants for very low-income homeowners in rural areas, discussed previously in the
“Owners of Properties in Rural Areas” section, are also limited to homeowners aged 62 or older.
41 These waivers vary by state, and the number of participants is limited. For more information, see
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/home-community-based-services-authorities/
index.html and https://www.cms.gov/training-education/partner-outreach-resources/american-indian-alaska-native/ltssta-center/information/ltss-models/home-and-community-based-services.
42 To locate local AAAs, see https://eldercare.acl.gov/home.
43 Recent grantees can be found in HUD press releases; for example, see HUD, “HUD Announces Nearly $70 Million
in Grants to Protect Families from Home Health and Safety Hazards,” press release, April 9, 2024,
https://archives.hud.gov/news/2024/pr24-074.cfm. (Note that this press release announced awardees under several
HUD grant programs, including, but not limited to, OAHMP.) See also HUD, “HUD Announces $3.7 Million for
Home Repairs for Seniors,” press release, August 22, 2024, https://archives.hud.gov/news/2024/pr24-215.cfm.
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Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs)
Administering Agency: FHA
Purpose: HECMs are FHA-insured reverse mortgages that allow homeowners age 62 or older to
access home equity while aging in place. Borrowers can use the proceeds from a HECM in any
way they choose, including for home repair. Unlike a traditional forward mortgage, where the
mortgage balance is paid down over time, the balance on a HECM grows as the homeowner
draws home equity and accrues interest. The HECM balance becomes due and must be repaid
when the borrower dies, sells the home, or no longer lives in the home as a principal residence.
Nonborrowing spouses may remain in the home after a borrower dies or leaves the home to move
into a health care facility under certain circumstances.
Eligibility: Homeowners must be age 62 or older and live in the home as a primary residence.
Borrowers and properties must meet FHA underwriting and other eligibility requirements. There
are limits on the amount that can be borrowed, which are based on the value of the home and
nationwide mortgage limits.44 Borrowers must receive HECM counseling before obtaining a
HECM. Borrowers pay fees in exchange for the insurance.
How to Apply: Individuals can apply through an FHA-approved lender that originates HECMs.45
Website: https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/single-family-hecmhome
Members of Federally Recognized Tribes in Tribal Areas
Certain programs administered by HUD and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) Bureau
of Indian Affairs (BIA) provide funds that can be used to assist members of federally recognized
tribes in approved tribal service areas46 with home repair.
While not members of a federally recognized tribe, in some cases Native Hawaiians eligible to
reside on the Hawaiian Home Lands may receive assistance through similar programs. These
programs are noted where applicable.
Indian Housing Block Grant Program (IHBG)47
Administering Agency: HUD
44 There is a nationwide maximum mortgage amount for HECMs that is updated each year, though not all borrowers
will qualify for the maximum mortgage amount. Maximum mortgage amounts can be found on HUD’s website at
https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfm (choose “HECM” under “Limit Type”). For calendar year 2026, the
maximum mortgage amount for HECMs is $1,249,125.
45 To search for FHA-approved lenders, see HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/
lender/lenderlist. There is an option to limit the search to FHA-approved lenders who have originated a HECM within
the last year.
46 Approved tribal areas are defined differently for different programs. Therefore, a tribe’s service area for the purposes
of one program may be different than the approved area for another program.
47 A similar program, the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG), provides funds to Hawaii’s Department of
Hawaiian Home Lands to use for a range of housing activities that benefit low-income Native Hawaiians; rehabilitation
assistance for existing homeowners is an eligible use of funds. For more information on the NHHBG, see HUD’s
website at https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/public-indian-native-hawaiian-housing and the Department of
Hawaiian Home Lands website at https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/.
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Purpose: This program provides formula funds to federally recognized tribes48 that can be used
for a range of affordable housing activities. Rehabilitation assistance for existing homeowners is
an eligible use of funds.49
Eligibility: In general, assistance is limited to members of federally recognized tribes in a tribe’s
service area with household incomes no higher than 80% of area median income. In limited
circumstances, funds can be used for non-tribal members or non-low-income families.
How to Apply: Tribes have discretion as to whether and how to use IHBG funds for home repair
for existing homeowners. To the extent that a tribe is using funds for this purpose, individuals
would apply through their tribe’s housing authority or tribally designated housing entity.50
Website: https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/public-indian-housing-ihbg
Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program51
Administering Agency: HUD
Purpose: Through this program, HUD guarantees eligible loans made by private lenders to
members of federally recognized tribes to purchase a home or refinance an existing mortgage in
approved eligible areas.52 Purchasing and rehabilitating a home, or rehabilitating a home that the
borrower already owns, are allowable loan uses.53 To finance rehabilitation costs in a loan, those
costs must be at least $10,000.
Eligibility: Borrowers must be enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe that is
participating in the Section 184 program and use the loan for a home in an approved area.
Borrowers and properties must meet underwriting standards and other eligibility criteria, and the
loan must not exceed a maximum loan amount. Borrowers pay an upfront fee in exchange for the
loan guarantee.
How to Apply: Individuals can contact a lender that is approved to participate in the Section 184
program.54
48 A small number of state-recognized tribes that were grandfathered into the program are also eligible.
49 Rehabilitation assistance for existing homeowners falls under the “Development” category of eligible uses of IHBG
funds and, according to a HUD notice, “includes minor or substantial housing rehabilitation or modernization of
privately owned units such as new roofs, new siding, new windows, new furnaces, new heat pumps, solar panels,
plumbing, electrical systems or mechanical systems, energy efficiency upgrades, and improvements related to the
health and safety of residents.” See HUD PIH Notice 2023-30, “Affordable Housing Activities Under the Native
American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA),” October 12, 2023, https://www.hud.gov/
sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/PIH2023-30.pdf.
50 For a list of tribes and tribally designated housing entities by region, see HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/
helping-americans/public-indian-housing-tdhe.
51 A similar program, Section 184A Loan Guarantees for Native Hawaiian Housing, guarantees loans made to Native
Hawaiians eligible to reside on the Hawaiian Home Lands. More information, including lenders approved to participate
in the Section 184A program, is on HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/public-indian-housingsection184a.
52 For areas that are approved for the Section 184 program, see HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/
documents/184_Map_States_and_Counties.pdf.
53 Eligible rehabilitation activities include structural alterations; elimination of health and safety hazards; repairs related
to plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems; repairs related to roofing, gutters, and downspouts;
energy conservation activities; and providing accessibility for disabled individuals, among other things. See HUD’s
Section 184 Processing Guidelines (October 2014), Chapter 7, p. 10, https://www.hud.gov/section184-guidelines.
54 A list of approved lenders is available at https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/
Section_184_Approved_Lenders.pdf.
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Website: https://www.hud.gov/section184
BIA Housing Improvement Program
Administering Agency: BIA
Purpose: Through this program, BIA provides grant funds to address substandard housing for
members of federally recognized tribes who lack other resources to acquire standard housing.
Four different categories of assistance are available: (1) interim improvements to address health
and safety hazards; (2) repairs and renovations to bring housing up to standard condition; (3)
providing replacement housing when a home cannot be brought up to standard condition, or a
new home for tribal members who do not own a home; and (4) down payment assistance to help
tribal members purchase a home.
Eligibility: Eligibility is limited to members of federally recognized tribes living in approved
tribal service areas with household incomes no higher than 150% of HHS’s poverty guidelines.
Eligible applicants must currently have substandard housing, not have other resources for housing
assistance, meet certain requirements related to limits on past receipt of housing assistance, and,
for certain types of assistance, meet requirements related to ownership of the housing.
How to Apply: Depending on whether the tribe is directly administering the program, individuals
apply through their tribal housing office or through the BIA office administering the program for
that tribe. For more information on the application process, see BIA’s website at
https://www.bia.gov/bia/ois/dhs/housing-program/apply-housing-program.
Website: https://www.bia.gov/bia/ois/dhs/housing-program
Residents of Manufactured Homes
HUD administers a program, the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community
Enhancement (PRICE) program, that provides assistance to preserve manufactured homes and
manufactured home communities.55 This program was first funded in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328).
PRICE Program
Administering Agency: HUD
Purpose: HUD provides competitive grants to eligible entities to preserve and revitalize
manufactured homes and eligible manufactured home communities. Grants can be used for a
range of allowable activities to support manufactured housing and manufactured home
communities, including, but not limited to, home repair and rehabilitation activities, replacement
of homes built before 1976, and resiliency and mitigation activities.
Eligibility: Entities that can apply for funds include states and local governments, federally
recognized tribes or their tribally designated housing entities, resident-controlled manufactured
home communities, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, and community development financial
institutions (CDFIs). Except where waived by HUD, CDBG program requirements apply.
How to Apply: Eligible entities apply for funding through NOFOs released by HUD. Any home
repair assistance that uses PRICE funds would be available through individual grantees. HUD
55 In some cases, owners of manufactured homes may also be able to qualify for programs described elsewhere in this
report. Eligibility of manufactured homes depends on the program in question, and eligibility often also depends on
whether the manufactured home is titled as real or personal property and is attached to land owned by the homeowner.
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announced the first round of grantees in December 2024,56 and summaries of how the grantees
intend to use the funds are available at https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/CPD/documents/
PRICE_Awardees_Fact_Sheet.pdf.
Website: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/manufactured-housing-and-price/
Other Programs
In addition to the programs described throughout this report, some other federal assistance may
be available for home repair under certain circumstances. Examples are discussed below.
Federal Home Loan Banks Affordable Housing Program
The Federal Home Loan Bank System is a government-sponsored enterprise that supports
mortgage lending.57 It includes 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs) that are required
by law to set aside 10% of their net income from the preceding year for an Affordable Housing
Program (AHP). Through the AHP, each FHLB provides assistance for acquiring, constructing, or
rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership within its designated region. For
homeownership housing, households must have incomes at or below 80% of area median income;
for rental housing, at least 20% of units must be occupied by and affordable to households with
incomes at or below 50% of area median income.
Each regional FHLB can choose to set aside up to 35% of its required AHP contribution (or $4.5
million, whichever is greater) for a Homeownership Set Aside program to fund down payment
and closing cost assistance, housing counseling, or home repair assistance. Not all FHLBs use
AHP funds for home repair, and those that do may only offer specialized home repair programs.
A link to each individual FHLB website, and a list of the states the FHLB serves, is available at
https://www.fhfa.gov/supervision/federal-home-loan-bank-system/districts. Each FHLB’s website
generally includes a section on affordable housing that describes its AHP programs, including
programs that provide assistance with home repair, if any.
NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America is a congressionally chartered nonprofit that supports a network of local
NeighborWorks affiliate organizations that carry out a range of affordable housing and
community reinvestment activities. NeighborWorks receives an annual appropriation that it uses
to provide grants, training, and technical assistance to its network. Some local NeighborWorks
organizations have programs that support home repair activities. Not all local NeighborWorks
organizations offer home repair assistance, and those that do may only offer specialized home
repair programs. A directory of local NeighborWorks organizations is available at
https://www.neighborworks.org/Our-Network/Network-Directory.
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
In addition to the HUD block grants described previously in this report, certain other federal
block grants may also be able to be used for certain types of home repair assistance at the
56 HUD, “Biden-Harris Administration Awards $225 Million To Preserve and Revitalize Housing,” press release,
December 19, 2024, https://archives.hud.gov/news/2024/pr24-322.cfm.
57 For more information on the Federal Home Loan Bank System, see https://fhlbanks.com/.
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discretion of the local administering agency. For example, through the CSBG, HHS provides
funds to states and tribes that can be used for a wide range of community-based activities to
reduce poverty. Funds are administered through local agencies, primarily local Community
Action Agencies (CAAs). Among many other potentially eligible activities, CSBG funds can be
used to help households obtain and maintain adequate housing.58 This can include certain types of
home repair activities, including some repairs to address health and safety concerns,
modifications to support independent living, and energy efficiency improvements. Statute
generally prohibits the use of CSBG funds for major construction or capital improvements,
though this limitation may be waived in limited circumstances.59
CSBG provides flexibility in how funds are used, and entities are not required to use the CSBG
for home repair assistance. For more information about local CSBG-funded programs, including
any available home repair assistance, individuals can contact their local CAA.60
Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)
SSBG, another flexible HHS block grant, provides funds to states that may be used for a wide
variety of social services, including “services related to the management and maintenance of the
home.”61 Federal regulations identify and define a number of service categories, which include
home-based services (which may include simple home repairs and yard maintenance) and
housing services (which may include minor renovations and activities to correct substandard
housing conditions), among many others.62 Statute generally prohibits the use of SSBG funds for
major construction or capital improvements, though this limitation may be waived in limited
circumstances.63 In some instances, supplemental appropriations to the SSBG have explicitly
authorized funds to be used for construction, renovation, and rebuilding activities (though not
necessarily for housing).
SSBG affords states flexibility in determining how best to use funds to support needs within the
state; states are not required to use the SSBG for home repair assistance. For more information
about local SSBG-funded programs, including any available home repair assistance, individuals
can consult with SSBG state contacts.64
Tax-Advantaged Accounts and Other Tax Treatment of Certain
Qualified Medical Expenses
Taxpayers who have certain types of tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses—
including Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), and
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)—may be able to use withdrawals from these
accounts to pay for certain types of medically necessary home repairs. Eligibility to establish such
58 42 U.S.C. §9908.
59 42 U.S.C. §9918.
60 The Community Action Partnership, a nonprofit membership organization for CAAs, provides a tool to search for
local CAAs on its website at https://communityactionpartnership.com/find-a-cap/. For more information on CSBG in
general, see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/community-services-block-grant-csbg.
61 42 U.S.C. §1397a.
62 45 C.F.R. §96, Appendix A.
63 42 U.S.C. §1397d.
64 A list of SSBG state officials and program contacts is available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/contact-information/
ssbg-grantee-contact-information. For more information on SSBG in general, see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/
programs/ssbg.
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accounts and the specifics of how they work depends on the particular type of account in
question, but in general, individuals and/or their employers make tax-free contributions to these
HSA, FSA, or HRA accounts, and individuals can make tax-free withdrawals from them to pay
for qualified medical expenses.
Reasonable costs to modify a home could be considered qualified medical expenses and paid for
using disbursements from these types of tax advantaged accounts if the main purpose of the
modification is medical care for the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse or dependents. The full cost
of improvements could be a qualified medical expense if the improvements do not increase the
value of the property. If the improvements do increase the value of the property, only the
difference between the cost of the improvements and the increase in property value could be
considered a medical expense. Examples of potentially eligible medical improvements include
installing ramps, widening doors or hallways, lowering or modifying kitchen cabinets, and adding
handrails or grab bars.
Taxpayers who undertake home modifications that are considered a qualified medical expense but
do not pay for those modifications using a tax-advantaged account may be able to include these
costs as itemized deductions on their federal tax return.
For more information on tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, see
https://www.healthcare.gov/job-based-help/coverage/, and IRS Publication 969, Health Savings
Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans, at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p969.pdf. For
more information on the types of medically necessary home improvements that can be paid for
using tax-advantaged accounts or claimed as an itemized deduction, see the section on “Capital
Expenses” in IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irspdf/p502.pdf.
Additional Resources
Available home repair program options vary by location. This is in part because, as noted
previously in this report, some federal funds flow through state or local governments or nonprofit
organizations and may be used differently by different recipients (subject to federal
requirements). Additional programs that are not federally funded may sometimes be available as
well. In addition, as discussed throughout this report, various types of local entities may provide
different types of housing repair assistance. These include state or local housing departments,
housing finance agencies, weatherization agencies, local CAAs, local AAAs, or other local
governmental agencies or nonprofits.
A number of resources are available to help homeowners locate home repair assistance programs
that may be available in their area, including the following:
•
HUD’s website provides information for consumers seeking to repair or
rehabilitate their homes:
• The “Home Improvements” page on the HUD website provides some general
information on undertaking home repairs, including information on some of
the programs discussed in this report at https://www.hud.gov/helpingamericans/home-improvements.
• HUD also maintains web pages with state-specific information that can be
found at https://www.hud.gov/states. The “Homeownership” and “Housing
Quality and Improved Living Conditions” sections of those state websites
include information on home repair and often provide links to available state
or local programs.
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Connecting Constituents to Federal Programs That Fund Home Repairs or Modifications
•
•
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors who can assist
homeowners with identifying programs that may be able to help with home repair
needs. For more information on counseling services and locating a HUDapproved housing counseling agency, see HUD’s website at
https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/single-family-about-housing-counseling.
Other organizations compile information that may be helpful in connecting
homeowners to home repair programs in their area, including the following:
• The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence at the University of Southern
California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, which focuses on
promoting aging in place and independent living, maintains a National
Directory of Home Modification and Repair Resources at
https://homemods.org/national-directory/. It also compiles a state-by-state
inventory of home repair options through its Home Modification Information
Network, with support from HHS’s Administration for Community Living at
https://homemods.org/acl/hmin/.
• The Coalition for Home Repair is a trade organization for nonprofit entities
involved in home repair activities. Its membership directory provides links to
member organization websites that provide more information on each
organization’s programs at https://www.coalitionforhomerepair.org/coalitionmembers.
Author Information
Carla Berry
Research Librarian
Katie Jones
Analyst in Housing Policy
Disclaimer
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Congressional Research Service
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This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.