Quick Answer
The primary federal home repair grants are: USDA Section 504 (up to $10,000 for rural homeowners 62+ at or below 50% AMI), CDBG rehab programs administered by local governments (income limits vary), and Weatherization Assistance Program (energy efficiency, all income-eligible households). For disaster-related repairs, FEMA IA covers repair costs after presidential declarations. Most programs require the home to be your primary residence and owner-occupied.
USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program
The USDA Section 504 Home Repair program — formally the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program — is the only direct federal grant program for individual homeowners. Grants of up to $10,000 are available exclusively to homeowners age 62 or older in rural areas who cannot afford to repay a loan.
Eligibility requirements:
- Age 62 or older
- Own and occupy the home as your primary residence
- Located in a rural area (generally under 35,000 population — verify at rd.usda.gov)
- Income at or below 50% of the area median income (very low income)
- Unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
Covered repairs must address health and safety hazards or make the home accessible for persons with disabilities. Common covered repairs include roofing, electrical systems, plumbing, heating, and structural repairs. Apply through your local USDA Rural Development office.
For homeowners under 62 or those with incomes between 50%–80% AMI, the Section 504 Loan (up to $40,000 at 1% interest for 20 years) provides financing for broader repairs.
HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Rehab Programs
HUD's CDBG program distributes block grants to cities and counties, which then design and operate their own housing rehabilitation programs. These local programs typically provide grants or deferred-payment loans for owner-occupied home repairs, targeting low-to-moderate income households (generally at or below 80% AMI).
Coverage is highly variable by locality. Some CDBG rehab programs cover comprehensive repairs (roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC). Others focus on specific issues like lead paint abatement or ADA modifications. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on the local program and scope of repairs.
To access CDBG rehab assistance, contact your city or county's Community Development or Housing Department directly. Ask about owner-occupied housing rehabilitation programs. Applications often have waitlists — apply as early as possible.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program provides free energy efficiency improvements to low-income households — up to $8,500 per unit in federal funding (states often supplement with additional funds). WAP serves households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, prioritizing the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with young children.
Covered improvements include insulation, air sealing, heating system repair and replacement, health and safety measures, and refrigerator replacement. Roofing is generally not covered unless it prevents proper weatherization. WAP services are provided free — there is no application fee and no repayment required.
Apply through your local community action agency. Call 211 or visit benefits.gov to find your local WAP provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What federal grants are available for home repair in 2026?
The main federal home repair grant programs in 2026 are: USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grants (up to $10,000 for very-low-income rural homeowners age 62+), HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administered by local governments, Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for energy efficiency improvements, and FEMA Individual Assistance after a declared disaster. Most programs target low-to-moderate-income homeowners. The USDA Section 504 program is the only direct federal grant for individual homeowners — the others flow through state or local governments.
What does the USDA Section 504 home repair grant cover?
The USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grant provides up to $10,000 per eligible homeowner for home repairs to remove health and safety hazards. Covered repairs include roofing, heating systems, electrical wiring, plumbing, foundation stabilization, ADA accessibility modifications, and other health/safety repairs. The grant is available only to homeowners age 62 or older in rural areas (places under 35,000 population) with incomes below 50% of the area median income (AMI). The program also offers Section 504 loans up to $40,000 for homeowners under 62 who don't qualify for the grant.
How do I apply for a home repair grant through HUD?
HUD does not provide home repair grants directly to individuals. Instead, HUD distributes CDBG and HOME funding to local governments (cities, counties, and states), which then administer their own home repair programs. To apply, contact your city or county's community development department or housing office. Ask specifically about owner-occupied housing rehabilitation programs. Eligibility, income limits, covered repairs, and grant amounts vary by locality. Many local programs have waitlists — apply early. Some areas also have nonprofit-administered programs funded through CDBG that offer free home repairs.
Does the Weatherization Assistance Program cover roof and HVAC repairs?
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) primarily funds energy efficiency improvements rather than general repairs. Covered improvements include attic and wall insulation, air sealing, heating system tune-up and replacement (if the system affects energy efficiency), window repair (not wholesale replacement in most cases), and health and safety measures directly related to weatherization. Roof repair is generally NOT covered unless the roof damage directly prevents proper weatherization (e.g., severe leaks preventing insulation installation). WAP is administered by states through local community action agencies — contact your state's weatherization program or call 211 to find your local provider.
Are there home repair grants for homeowners who are not elderly or low-income?
Most federal home repair grant programs are targeted to low-income and/or elderly homeowners. Middle-income homeowners who don't qualify for grants have several other options: FHA 203(k) rehab loans (allows purchase or refinancing with repair costs rolled in), Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation loans, HUD's Title I Property Improvement Loans, and state or local programs with moderate-income eligibility. Some states also have energy efficiency rebate programs available to all income levels. FEMA Individual Assistance is income-blind and available to any homeowner in a declared disaster area.