MyFinancialPrograms

California has over 205 grants for home repair and home improvement grants available to lower income homeowner families and individuals. This article provides you with all the main home repair programs offered throughout the state in 2024.

 

Who provide grants for home repairs in California?

There are 5 main sources of financial assistance for home improvement in California:

1. 1- Federal Programs : HUD (Housing and Urban Development) is the Federal housing agency providing programs and funds to the State, Counties and cities.
2. 2- State of California : California Department of Housing and Community Development: (HCD) is a state agency offering funds to Counties, cities and local organisations in California.
3. 3- Counties and cities programs : The main organizations offering funds and programs to help Californians with home repair, rehabilitation and improvement are at your county and city level.
4. 4- Non-profits & community organisations: Almost every cities, towns and counties have non-profits helping homeowners with home repairs. More so for lower income and seniors homeowners.
5. 5- Rural areas: Homeowners in rural areas have less resources but there are still often non-profits and the USDA is also helping rural homeowners.

You can review the Federal and the State of California home repair grants but ultimately your county and city are the ones you need to contact and where you can apply for funding.

Jump to specific needs or project:

1. Disasters
2. Veterans
3. Seniors
4. Windows
5. Roof

Who is eligible for government home improvement grant?

In California all homeowners are eligible to home improvement and repairs grants and assistance (find them all in this article). In reality, because the needs are so big, some groups like seniors, veterans, disable and low-income households are given priority. Even in those case, you need to apply as soon as possible because funds are limited.

So it’s often first arrived first served basis: apply early.

Each programs have their own eligibility, so you need to verify with programs in your area to see info you meet the income eligibility level. 

You can start with this table as reference for programs eligibility: 

	Cities & Suburbs	Rural
Low income	WAP, Cities & Counties programs, State, Non-Profits, Disasters	USDA, WAP, Cities & Counties programs, State, Non-profits, Disasters
Medium/High income	Traditional loans, State, Disasters	USDA, Traditional loans, State, Disasters.

Which free grants for homeowners for repairs exist?

In general, in California all repair and improvement programs are there to help with:

• – Ensure your home does not harm its residents’ health.
• – Ensure your home structure is safe and may not risk hurting its resident.
• – Help seniors and disabled residents stay in their homes longer and safer.

More precisely the following work and repair are usually covered by home improvement grants programs:

• – Roof: Free roof replacement grants programs. Also see our Guide to repair, fix or change your roof.
• – Windows & doors: Windows replacement grants and exterior doors. We have also a Guide for Windows Replacement
• – Foundations: Foundation repair grants and programs usually covers home foundation repairs.
• – Electrical & plumbing : Grants for electrical repair and plumbing assistance repairs are covered as long as they bring your home electrical and plumbing up to the local code.
• – Heating & cooling: Some States and Counties have heating grants and cooling programs to bring your system up to actual living standards.
• – Lead paints & pipes plus asbestos: Most programs cover the removal and change of lead and asbestos materials dangerous to your health.
• – Sewers and water line: Most home improvement grant programs cover funds to have your home connected to your town water and sewer system and in other cases to your well or septic tank.
• – Home structure: In some cases, if your home structure is no longer safe, programs will help with fixing the home structural problems. Note: in some cases the cost may be too high to fix and another program can help get a new one.
• – Home remodeling: In some cases a home can be remodeled if they need major repairs as long as the cost is not prohibitive. Since the total amount vary by program you have to verify on this page for programs in your area.
• – Bathroom remodeling: Some programs let you remodel a bathroom in order to bring them to sanitary and health standard.
• – Home modifications for seniors: There are multiple programs to modify seniors’ homes to help them living longer independently at home. Common modification are ramps, handle bars, bathrooms modication and kitchen are adaptations. You can find those resources in our resource for senior home modifications.

Confused about home improvement programs terms?

It can be confusing to understand the terms. Lots of different organizations have different words for the same type of help programs: home improvement grant, home repair grants, programs, free grants, relief service, repair assistance, etc. They are all synonyms of programs designed to help low and moderate income homeowners repair and fix important element of their house.

Can I get a $10,000 grant for home improvement?

Can you get a $10,000 grant for home improvement? Quick answer is yes. Find on this page all the information you need for home improvement programs in California, by cities and by counties. Learn: how much they provide, if you’re eligible and where to apply.

What types of home improvement help is in California?

Home repair programs comes in many form but they are usually in the 5 types:

Home Repair Grants & Home Improvement Grants: Typically homeowner grants for home improvement don’t need to be repaid. The organization providing the funding covers the cost of the work and you don’t pay anything back.

Volunteers and charities home repairs: Some organizations rely on volunteers to repair your home so there’s no cost to you.

Home improvement loans: These are traditional loans where you have to repay a fix amount monthly but they are usually with a lower than normal interest rate.

Home improvement loans paid at term: It’s a traditional loan paid back in full only when you leave or sell your home. This mean you have nothing to pay monthly. The organization offering these loans usually take a lien on your home to be certain to be paid in the future.

Forgivable home improvement loans: It’s a traditional loans but you do have to pay it back monthly. Instead after a few years the organization forgive your loan.

Note: In some rare case you may find yourself with a mix of the types above. In all cases the important is you get help to fix your home and keep it secured and a place for you to live in a safe and healthy home.

HUD (Urban Housing Department)  (2 programs)

HUD is the federal agency funding the California’s Housing agencies, Counties and Cities. HUD have many programs from home buyer help, renter help, homeowners funding among many for home repairs and improvements.

 

2 loans programs helps people renovate, rehabilitate or improve their home (mobile homes included). Both are loan insurances for California’s homeowners who couldn’t otherwise get a loan:

Rehabilitation and repair loan (insurance): Known as “Title I Property Improvement Loan Program”, it helps you if you have not enough equity for a traditional loan, and the FHA (part of HUD) insure your loan for your lender.

• – House Loan amount limit: $25,000
• – Mobile home Loan amount limit: $25,090

203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance: This a special FHA loan that allows you to finance both the purchase or refinancing of a house and the cost of renovations into a single mortgage. 

• – Limited 203k: Projects less than $35,000.
• – Standard 203k: Projects over $35,000.

In both Tittle 1 and 203(k), the money for the renovations is put in an escrow account and is only released to the contractor when the work is completed and inspected by a qualified professional. This helps ensure that the renovations are done properly and that the money is used for its intended purpose. It protects both the lender and you the homeowner.

California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD)

This Department doesn’t have a home improvement and home repair program to directly help homeowners. Instead it provide funding to counties and local organisations such as Habitat who then help Californians homeowners.

Disasters: FEMA in California (10s if resources)

When the Federal Agency FEMA declare some area(s) of California a disaster area, the area’s residents can then apply for financial aid.

You can find if your area is declared a disaster area by FEMA here then if it is, claim disaster assistance with the federal government. If you’re impacted by a disaster, you may be able to claim housing, financial, food, medical, etc.

SBA (4 programs)

Habitat for Humanity (34 programs)

Thanks to their volunteers, Habitat rehabilitates houses for families and people in need in California with 34 local chapters with their own home programs. They may be able to help with home repairs and updates to make your home safer. This organization relies on you, or some neighbors if you’re elderly, to put some of the work into your home repairs. You can apply through Habitat to learn about help available in your area.

Habitat for Humanity ReStores (26 resources)

ReStores provide discounted used, surplus building materials, appliances and furniture.

Rebuilding Together (15 programs)

Community Action Partnership of California (CAP) (60 resources)

These 60 non profits located throughout California offer many services to their residents area. They usually offer home repair assistance programs, WAP and LIHEAP for low and moderate income homeowners.

Find your area CAP by looking on this map. Then contact your closest agency to see the programs they have for homeowners like you.

Veterans Home Repair and Rehab (1 program)

CALVET: Provide home improvement  and repairs loan to disabled Veterans homes to include painting, installation of access ramps, appliance repair, and yard maintenance at no cost. House of Heroes works to improve the living condition and keep military Veterans and their families safe in their homes.

Here is the organisation contact info

Window replacement programs (2 programs)

Window replacement can be done for homeowners with 2 different programs (some cities and counties also have a program for roof only). You’ll find more resources in the article for California windows replacement programs.

Weatherization Assistant Program (WAP)

WAP is funded by the Federal but managed locally. It help improve or change windows for energy efficient ones at no cost. It also pay for attic insulation and ventilation, repair or replace broken heating, cooling and water heaters, as well as many other small work to improve your home energy efficiency.

	Spent per Home	Homes Weatherized	Budget
California	$8,008	8,519	$109M

Find the program detail and contact your local organisation managing WAP. 

LIHEAP:  This program is mostly to help pay your heating and cooling cost but it may also help fix, repair or replace broken windows for energy efficient ones.

Find more info about the program eligibility and your local organisation managing LIHEAP.

Roof Replacement Programs (many programs)

Major storms and fires often damage roofs, and California have lots of programs for roof replacement grants and assistance.  There’s no 1 specific program only for roof but most programs on this page include roof repair and replacement. The programs on this page cover roofs damages either in form of grants, interest free loans or low interest loans. 

We have a separate resources for California roof replacement programs. 

Once it’s time to find a roofer, our community selection of California’s best roofers can help. 

Home Repair Grants for Seniors in California  (1 program)

California’s Department of Aging offer many services to seniors. You can find the list here.

Question: Are home repair for senior citizens free?

Answer: Yes, usually, but it’s often different for each program. Some programs are 100% free while some other require a contribution and in other case. In most case they are free if the senior have a low income. You find your programs and your eligibility with the programs on this page.

Home Modification and Repair: This program promote the safety and well-being of adults in their homes; designed to increase accessibility, reduce the risk of injury, and improve older adults’ ability to stay at home; it may also include the purchase of certain assistive devices. It’s managed locally by your local Area Agencies on Aging.

California Rural Residents (1 program)

The USDA provide home improvement loans and government grants to low-income homeowners in California’s rural areas.

Who may apply for this program?

To qualify, you must:

• – Be the homeowner and occupy the house
• – Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
• – Have a family income below 50 percent of the area median income 
• – For grants, be age 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan

What is an eligible area?

Applicants may check the address of their home to determine eligibility.

How may funds be used?

• Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize housing or remove health and safety hazards
• Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards

How much money can I get?

• – Maximum loan is $40,000
• – Maximum grant is $10,000
• – Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in payment assistance

What are the terms of the loan or grant?

• – Loans can be repaid over 20 years
• – Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
• – Full title service is required for loans of $7,500 or more
• – Grants have a lifetime limit of $7,500
• – Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
• – If applicants can repay part, but not all of the costs, applicants may be offered a loan and grant combination

Is there a deadline to apply? 

Applications for this program are accepted through your local USDA’s RD office all year round

How long does an application take? 

Approval times depend on funds availability in your area.

Programs by County & City (86 programs)

Some California counties have home repair and government grant programs and most major cities also have similar help for homeowners.

If you don’t see your county or city below you should contact it directly and ask them if the city have a home repair program.

Los Angeles County (2 programs)

Single-Family Home Improvement Program: Help low-income qualified owners with a deferred loan offers up to $25,000 for repairs at 0% interest and deferred payment. The deferred loan is due and payable upon sale, transfer of title. Repairs include items such as, but not limited to, electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling system, roofing, and exterior paint.

Grants for Minor Home Repairs: Aims to preserve existing homes by funding minor home repairs to ensure the health and safety of eligible low- and moderate-income homeowners. Grants up to $5,000 will be made only to applicants meeting the following criteria: Elderly (62 years or older), handicapped or permanently disabled, single head of household or large families (five+ people), who occupy a single-family residential property requiring repairs that are health and safety related.

Example of eligible repairs:

• – Minor plumbing repairs
• – Water heater blankets
• – Replacement or repair of exterior screens
• – Installation of smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors
• – Garbage disposal

Grants to Sound Insulate Homes: Provides grants to eligible property owners to sound insulate residential homes and rental units from noise caused by aircraft arriving and departing the Los Angeles International Airport. To be eligible for the grant, the property must be located within designated communities of the Lennox, Del Aire, or Athens. The value of these repairs range from $37,000 to $40,000 per unit.

Grants for Mobile home Owners: Offers grants to qualified mobile home owners for minor upgrades and repairs. This program is limited to the Fifth Supervisorial District and the maximum amount is $9,000.

City of Los Angeles (1 program)

Handyworker Program: Provides free minor home repairs for low income seniors 62 and older persons with disabilities to address basic health, safety, security, and accessibility needs to enable them to age at home. Program provides up to $5,000 for home modifications for homeowners and up to $300 for safety devices for renters.

Habitat of Greater LA (1 program)

Home Preservation Program: provide low-income homeowners with up to $5,000 – $20,000 in FREE home repairs to address health, safety, and security issues in and around the home or to improve energy efficiency. The City of Englewood, City of Whittier, City of Pico Rivera and Watts Rising have has different requirements and eligible repairs so verify with them.

San Diego County (2 programs)

Housing Repair Loans and Grants Program: Program offers single family home repair deferred loans of up to $25,000 at 3 percent simple interest and calculated annually. The total amount borrowed must be repaid when the property changes hands or the recipient moves from the property.

Mobile Home Repair Grant: Non-repayable grant of up to $12,000, which is available to eligible mobile-home owners.

Rebuilding Together San Diego(2 programs)

Safe at Home: Program addresses home repair and maintenance issues that represent safety risks or limit access to or within the home. This program provides minor repairs, safety and energy-efficiency modifications for low income elderly and disabled homeowners. Repairs are limited to no more than $250 in costs, and performed by small volunteer teams or handymen as available.

Home Preservation: Help qualified homeowners with limited incomes with a variety of exterior repairs meant to preserve the house. General repair services are focused in strategic locations surrounding new Habitat homes, and VetRepair — our repair program serving local veterans — is available countywide.

Orange County (1 program)

Hand-Up Home Repair Program: Help veteran families improve their living conditions by focusing efforts on health, safely, and accessibility through critical home repairs.

Habitat of Orange (1 program)

Home Repair: Habitat OC is partnering with cities throughout Orange County to help rehabilitate homes for qualified families.

City of Anaheim (1 program)

Residential Rehab Program: Help low-income families in Anaheim improve their living conditions by focusing efforts on health, safety, and accessibility through critical home repairs. Repairs are provided as a forgivable loan and completed by our non-profit partner Habitat for Humanity of Orange County.

Eligible Improvements:

• – Accessibility improvements
• – Building code violations
• – Electrical repair
• – Fumigation
• – Health and sanitation
• – Interior flooring
• – Lead abatement
• – Plumbing
• – Re-roofing
• – Structural repairs
• – Windows

City of Costa Mesa (2 programs)

Single Family Rehabilitation Loans and Grant Program: Assists approximately 20 homeowners annually with interior and exterior property improvements, including code and building violations, lead based paint hazards, and other repairs.

 

CAL Home Loan Program: HCD assists homeowners with interior and exterior property improvements, including code and building violations, plumbing, electrical, roofing, lead based paint hazards, and other repairs. Example of possible grants:

Roof Grant: up to $15,000

Exterior Paint Grant: up to $6,500

Building code Grants: up to $5,000

Handicap Modification Grant: up to $6,000

Mobile Home Grant: up to $10,000 for handicap modifications and to correct building codes.

City of Fullerton (1 program)

Home Improvement Program: Assist very-low, low- and moderate income residents who cannot afford to keep up their homes on their own. Forgivable Loans (Grants) are available to low-income households. The specific grants can be combined, and may be awarded in conjunction with the Home Improvement Loan Program. The grants do not have to be repaid to the City if the homeowner resides at the property three years after the grant is awarded.

City of La Habra (1 program)

Home Improvement Grant & Loan Program: Provide financial assistance low- and moderate-income owner-occupants of single-family homes and mobile homes for the preservation of decent, safe, and sanitary housing; to correct hazardous structural conditions; to make improvements considered necessary to eliminate blight; and, to correct building and health code violations by awarding grants or loans. All grants and/or are issued on a first-come, first serve basis.

City of Irvine (2 programs)

Residential Rehabilitation Program: Offers financial assistance through 3% interest deferred loans and emergency grants to assist low income homeowners with critical home improvements. Loans or grants are available to assist homeowners in need of health and safety, building code, and accessibility related repairs.

Emergency grants: Are available to homeowners requiring repairs estimated to cost $5,000 or less.

Riverside County (3 programs)

Home Repair Program: The program help low-income resident fix urgent and health threatening issues with their home.

Senior Home Rehabilitation Grant Program: Provides assistance in the form of a conditional grant up to the maximum total amount of $25,000 to income eligible senior homeowners to finance health and safety-related repairs to their homes.

Habitat for Humanity (1 program)

Serve lower-income homeowners with either preventative home maintenance or critical home repair services with a zero-interest loan. Examples of eligible minor repairs include exterior home painting and wheelchair ramp access. Larger, more critical improvements include water heater replacement, roof repairs, and some mechanical repairs or replacements.

Find program’s details

City of Riverside (3 programs)

Helps low income households rehabilitate their homes. Low interest loans and a limited number of grants are available to help finance housing repairs for income eligible homeowners.

Rehabilitation Loans: Provide up to $60,000 for rehabilitation. These loans are interest-free and payment is deferred for 30 years for qualified homeowners.

Single Family Grants: Grants up to $5,000 are available to income-eligible applicants who own and occupy a single-family residence, to correct health and safety hazards or minor code violations.

Mobile Home Grants: Grants up to $15,000 are available to mobile home owners to correct health and safety hazards. Grants are forgiven after maintaining six years owner occupancy.

Find details about those 3 programs

San Bernardino County (2 programs)

Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS)

Home Improvement Loan Program: offers up to $50,000 for each eligible household in the Inland Valley to be used for financing any desired home improvements including health and safety repairs, beautification projects, and energy efficiency upgrades. The purpose of this program is to provide affordable loan terms to assist low-income single-family homeowners (earning below 80% of the Area Median Income) with access to affordable financing options for home improvement projects that will create safe, desirable, and sanitary housing. Most permanent interior and exterior improvements are eligible. Homeowners may also use the loan to finance repairs that will enhance accessibility for disabled individuals and improve the energy efficiency of their homes to save on energy costs. Permanent beautification upgrades that will help the borrower build equity, such as kitchen and bathroom remodels, will also be an eligible use of funds.

Factory Built ADU: ADUs have many names: granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units, and more. No matter what you call them, ADUs are an innovative, affordable, effective option for adding much-needed housing.

• – Up to $100,000 available for the purchase and installation of a Factory Built ADU.
• – Rates as low as 6.99% APR and subject to enrollment in ACH withdrawal for payments. Non enrolled homeowners will have a 7.25% APR.
• – 20-year loan term.

City of San Bernardino (1 program)

Rehabilitation Loan Program: Assist income-eligible San Bernardino homeowners improve the living conditions of their homes to meet the City’s health and safety code requirements. Only owner-occupied single-family detached dwellings, townhouses and condominiums.

Health and safety, building code violations, and accessibility, and some general property related repairs are eligible for reimbursement. Improvements may include, but not limited to, the following:

• – Interior/exterior painting, plumbing, electrical, roofing, heating
• – Structural issues (foundation), landscaping, driveway repair/replacement
• – Bedroom/Bathroom additions to relieve overcrowding
• – ADA improvements
• – Energy efficiency upgrades

City of Riverside (4 programs)

Housing Rehabilitation Program: Helps low income households rehabilitate their homes. Low interest loans and a limited number of grants are available to help finance housing repairs for income eligible homeowners.

Rehabilitation Loans: These loans provide up to $60,000 for rehabilitation. These loans are interest-free and payment is deferred for 30 years for qualified homeowners. A Deed of Trust is used to secure the loan (as a lien on the property). Deferred loans become due and payable upon the resale, transfer of title, refinancing of the property with cash out, or death of borrower, whichever comes first.

Single Family Grants: Grants up to $5,000 are available to income-eligible applicants who own and occupy a single family residence, to correct health and safety hazards or minor code violations.

 

Mobile Home Grants: Grants up to $10,000 are available to mobile home owners to correct health and safety hazards.

Grants are forgiven after maintaining six years of owner occupancy.

Programs details can be found here

City of Chino (1 program)

Healthy Home: Grant up to $5,000. Applicants must live in Chino and be at least 62 years of age or be disabled with mobility issues. Applications are prioritized for funding purposes on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, you are required to complete and return the application within 30 days.

City of Chino Hills (1 program)

Home Improvement Grant Program: Provides eligible homeowners with grants to assist in revitalizing their properties. Funding is provided by a grants up to $5,000.

Grants can be used, but not limited to, the following:

• – Exterior Paint
• – Driveway (concrete only)
• – Door/Window Replacement
• – Roof Repairs
• – Fencing
• – Garage Door Repairs
• – Exterior Structural Repairs
• – Drainage/Septic System

Santa Clara County (2 programs)

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley

Manages the Emergency, Minor Repair and Accessibility Grant Programs through the City of San José Housing Department. This grant program makes repair assistance available for low-income residents to bring their homes up to safe and healthy living conditions

Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley

Habitat receives funding from the City of San José to provide safety and accessibility repairs and upgrades to qualified homeowners, including mobile home owners. Repairs include, but are not limited to, roofing, heating/cooling, flooring, ramps, stairs, and plumbing.

City of San Jose (2 programs)

Home Repair and Rehabilitation Program: provide safety and accessibility repairs and upgrades to qualified homeowners, including mobile home owners. Repairs include, but are not limited to, roofing, heating/cooling, flooring, ramps, stairs, and plumbing.

Emergency, Minor Repair and Accessibility Grant Programs: provide safety and accessibility repairs and upgrades to qualified homeowners, including mobile home owners. Repairs include, but are not limited to, roofing, heating/cooling, flooring, ramps, stairs, and plumbing.

Find details about these 2 programs

Alameda County (2 programs)

Community Development Agency

Housing rehab & Minor repair: The grant can be used to make minor plumbing, carpentry, electrical repairs and can be used for railings, grab bars, toilets, water heaters, doors, locks and more.

In Oakland the homeowner must be 62 years or older and/or have a disability to apply for minor home repair services.

Lead Hazard Repair grants: Available for owners of pre-1960 rental and owner-occupied residential properties throughout Alameda County. Income, occupancy and other eligibility requirements apply. Pre-1960 housing units are a priority. Service includes free lead testing, up to $10,000 per unit for lead hazard repairs, and project assistance to help make your home or property lead-safe.

See details about these 2 programs

City of Alameda (2 programs)

Residential Rehabilitation Program: The Housing Rehabilitation Program offers low-interest loans and grants to eligible homeowners in Alameda. Rental property owners, whose units are occupied by 51% or more low income renters, are also eligible for low-interest loans to make repairs and qualified property improvements. Senior and disabled households may be eligible for additional assistance.

Minor Home Repair Program: Provides grants of up to $2,000 for emergency repairs to health, safety and security items, or minor repairs of carpentry, plumbing, heating, and electrical items. This program is available to low-income Alameda homeowners on a first-come, first-served basis.

City of Berkeley (1 program)

Home Rehab Loans: Seniors and people with disabilities can apply for interest-free loans of up to $100,000 to repair or modify their home. You do not have to repay the loan until one of the below events

Rebuilding Together Oakland | East Bay

Rebuilding Together East Bay North

Sacramento County (1 program)

The county and city of Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency

Home repair program: Provides assistance to correct health and safety hazards that exist at the homes of very low-income owner-occupants of single family homes or mobile homes within the City of Sacramento; the Cities of Galt, Folsom, and Isleton; and unincorporated areas of the County of Sacramento. The program offer a maximum of $5,000 and the SHRA administers the repair work and hires and pays the contractors.

Habitat of Greater Sacramento (1 program)

Home Repair Loan Program: This program helps to respond to the housing crisis in California by solving health, accessibility and safety concerns in homes owned by low-income families, veterans, and elderly residents on limited incomes. By fixing the long-deferred maintenance projects, critical repairs and code violations, we help families stay in their already affordable homes and avoid displacement.

Contra Costa County (2 programs)

Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP): Provides financial assistance to low-income homeowners for home rehabilitation projects. This support results in homes being brought up to current building codes, the elimination of blight, energy efficiency improvements, accessibility improvements, and the enhancement of older housing. The program provides applicants with loans up to $70,000 and grants up to $15,000. The main priority of NPP is to eliminate health and safety deficiencies in the home. This typically includes, but is not limited to roof repair/replacement, water heater replacement, HVAC repair, and improvements to the plumbing and electrical systems.

Weatherization Program: Purpose is to assist low and/or fixed income people in making their homes more energy-efficient. The program is available regardless of whether you own or rent, live in a house, apartment, or a mobile home. The energy saving improvements may include:

• – Installation of ceiling insulation
• – Gas furnace repair or replacement
• – Weather-stripping of exterior doors
• – Gas stove repair or replacement
• – Replacement of exterior doors if necessary
• – Gas water heater repair or replacement
• – Installation of carbon monoxide alarm
• – Plug gaskets
• – Installation of programmable thermostats
• – Installation of water saving devices
• – Replacement of broken windows
• – Other minor home repairs

Fresno County (no county program)

City of Fresno (1 program)

HOUSING ASSISTANCE REHABILITATION PROGRAM (HARP): provides loans to eligible homeowner families for moderate to substantial home rehabilitation and/or reconstruction projects. Loan funds are designed to address housing code deficiencies.

Kern County (1 program)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS OR REPAIRS: 0% interest deferred payment loan available to qualified homeowners and eligible improvements include repairs to the air condition, heater, roof, electrical, plumbing, carpet, linoleum, windows, insulation, and painting.

 

City of San Francisco & County (2 programs)

Senior Home Repair Program (SHRP): Provides assistance up to $50,000 in the form of a forgivable loan, to low-to-moderate-income senior/disabled homeowners residing in historically distressed and underserved neighborhoods in San Francisco, with roof and HVAC repairs as well as accessibility improvements.

Maximum Loan Amount: $50,000. The qualifying loan amount will be the minimum amount necessary, based on the borrower’s financial need to make repairs.

Loan Terms: The SHRP loan balance will be forgiven entirely 5 years after completion of improvements.

Eligible Repairs

• 1. Roof Replacement or Repair; stabilization, repari or replacement of damaged or leaking roof and roof vents and gutters.
• 2. HVAC Replacement or Repair; repair or replacement of damaged HVAC system.
• 3. Accessibility Modifications accessibility modifications needed to adjust physical barriers within a home for seniors with mobility or other physical impairments

Home Improvement & Performance: Program (SFHIP) works in collaboration with Energy Upgrade CA to help homeowners design a customized solution to energy efficiency in their homes. Up to $5,000 is available for Home Energy Improvements that make a home healthier, more comfortable, and energy efficient.

Ventura County (1 program)

Home Weatherization Home Repair: The program can save qualified homeowners and renters/tenants up to 40 percent on utility bills, depending on the home, simply by improving energy efficiency. This can be done by replacing windows, weather-stripping doors, adding insulation, minor home repairs and installing more efficient appliances and products.

San Mateo County (1 program)

Housing Repair Programs: Housing Repair and Home Rehabilitation Loan Programs for cities of Daly City, Redwood City and South San Francisco offer rehab programs for residents of their cities.

City of San Manteo (3 programs)

Home Rehabilitation Loan: Assist low-income homeowners making needed repairs on their homes.

Services offered include:

• – Correcting code violations
• – Termite/Dry rot repairs
• – Major system updates
• – Handicapped/disability modifications
• – General property improvements and deferred maintenance related to health and safety or code compliance
• – Lead-based paint hazard reduction work
• – Energy and water conservation

Minor Home Repairs: Provides grants to non-profit service agencies for provision of Minor Home Repairs to income qualified homeowners. The program offers home repairs to improve health and safety, housing accessibility modifications, and energy efficiency retrofit measures to income qualified individuals.

Rebuilding Together Peninsula

Safe at Home Program: Focuses on: minor repairs, improving home health and safety as well as energy and water conservation. Services offered include:

• – Door Repairs
• – Electrical Maintenance
• – Plumbing Repairs
• – Seismic Anchoring
• – Window Repairs

San Joaquin County (1 program)

Home Rehabilitation Program: Assists property owners in making residential building improvements. It offers low interest amortized and deferred payment loans. The program is designed to make needed renovations affordable for low income homeowners as well as offering a range of services to help make property improvements as easy as possible. It is designed to preserve the health and safety of neighborhoods. Payments may be deferred or amortized at 2% interest.

City of Stockton (4 programs)

Housing Rehabilitation Program: Provide financial assistance to low-income homeowners in making substantial interior and exterior repairs to bring the property to California and local building code standards.

Emergency Repair Program: Is designed to provide one-time emergency repair assistance to low-income property owners. Properties that have one owner over the age of 65 or with special needs may be eligible for a grant. Repairs are limited to corrections of code violations listed in official documents issued by the City, the Fire Marshall or the Health Officer stating that it presents an imminent danger to life, limb, property, or safety of the public or its occupants.

Housing Reconstruct Loan Program: Provides money to low-income families to rebuild a house on the existing site only when repair costs are too high or cost more than new construction. This program is considered when the house does not qualify for the Housing Rehabilitation Program.

Neighborhood Improvement Loan Program: Is designed for low-income homeowners to make repairs due to City code violations and to assist qualified homeowners who wish to make repairs to their home but who do not qualify for the City’s regular Housing Rehabilitation Program. Funds can be used primarily for exterior improvements such as roof, painting, fencing and landscaping, along with water heater, plumbing, electrical, and sewer.

 

Find details about those 4 programs

Stanislaus County (1 program)

Housing Authority County of Stanislaus

Minor Home Repair Program: Program goal is to repair or eliminate conditions that present critical health and safety hazards and provides assistance for disabled people in making their homes more accessible. All Loans or Deferred Loans will be secured by a Promissory Note and Deed of Trust.

City of Modesto (1 program)

Homeowner Rehabilitation Program: This program provides financial and technical assistance to repair or eliminate critical health and safety hazard conditions in homes, and assists persons in making their homes more accessible. Assistance is provided through forgivable grants and 20-year deferred/amortized Loans:

• – Mobile Homeowners are eligible for up to $20,000 forgivable grant after 5 years.
• – Single Family Homeowners are eligible for a 20-year deferred or amortized loan with 20% of total project costs being a forgivable grant after 10 years.
• – Homeowners have the ability to select a 3% deferred loan or 0% amortized loan with consistent monthly payments.

Grants: Up to $6,000 for very low income families and seniors.

For programs details please contact Director of Community Development at 209-538-5778.

City of Ceres (1 program)

Rehabilitation Program: Improve the quality of life of low-income households by providing low interest loans and grants with which to rehabilitate the homes owned or rented by eligible households. This program is uncertain in the city as of January 2024. We encourage you to verify with the city.

Sonoma County (1 program)

Housing Rehabilitation Program: It’s a loan program to provide financial assistance for owner-occupants in need of repairs on their single-family homes or mobile homes, and owners of rental properties where at least half of the tenants are low-income households. The program provides low-interest loans to eligible property owners throughout the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County and in the city limits of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor.

Tulare County (2 programs)

City of Tulare & Habitat for Humanity of Tulare & Kings County

Minor Home Rehab Program: Our program helps individuals live in a safe, decent home and helps them achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance. (There is special financing available for qualified homeowners in the cities of Tulare and Porterville where no repayment is required.) Homeowners repay the project costs to Habitat for Humanity with affordable monthly payments. Homeowners and family members work side by side with volunteers to complete the restoration of their home if they are able.

Eligible work: Repair roofs, paint, landscape, replace damaged windows and doors, repair plumbing and electrical problems, install wheelchair ramps, replace stoves and refrigerators, install weather-stripping and low-flow showerheads, repair or replace floors, and provide general clean-up.

Santa Barbara County (1 program)

Home Modification for Seniors: Provides free repairs designed to assist Santa Barbara County seniors with maintaining independence. Our installations focus on health and safety, as well as slip and fall prevention. Program offered by the non-profit CommUnify.

Types of Services:

• – Grab bar installation
• – Exterior/Interior handrail
• – CO alarm/smoke detector installation
• – Heater safety testing
• – Slip and fall prevention

The same organisation offer a Weatherisation Service at free or low cost.

Solano County (no program)

The county does not have it’s own home improvement grant program.

Monterey County (no program)

The county does not have it’s own home repair program but cities have their own.

City of Monterey (6 programs)

MR. FIX-IT GRANT: Provide assistance to homeowners maintaining their homes through small repairs. Financial assistance is limited per household and after assistance there is a three year waiting period. Assistance is provided as a grant, and funds need not be repaid unless fraudulently obtained.

Examples of project eligible:

• – Small plumbing and electrical repairs.
• – Repair or replacement of toilets, windows, doors and hardware.
• – Repairs or replacements of water and wall heaters.

HOME SAFETY GRANT: The program offer the eligibility, conditions and eligible project as Fix-It Grant above.

ACCESSIBILITY ASSISTANCE GRANT: The assistance is to remove material or architectural barriers, which restrict access or otherwise impede mobility, and to install hardware that lessens hazards that are aggravated by a disability.

Examples of items eligible for funding:

• – Ramps
• – Railings
• – Grab bars
• – Ball bearing drawers
• – Personal hygiene hardware
• – Appropriate floor coverings

Structural or mechanical alterations can also be eligible including:

• – Installation or remodeling of tub or shower
• – Widening of doors
• – Cabinet alterations
• – Rewiring to lower switches or raise outlets
• – Replacement of door and window hardware
• – Alteration of plumbing fixtures
• – Installation of sliding doors

HOUSING REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM: Major Rehabilitation Loan Program & Emergency Repair Loan Program. The Housing Rehabilitation Program is intended to improve the condition of substandard owner-occupied single-family homes with special emphasis placed upon the remediation of health and safety housing issues.

Major Rehabilitation Loan Program: Provides a low-interest loan up to $90,000 to eligible low income homeowners. Because the loan is a deferred payment 5% simple-interest loan, interest is calculated on the loan only. The homeowner does not repay the loan until the home is sold, the title is changed or thirty years has passed. The program assists homeowners with major rehabilitation or modernization of their home. Major repairs include new foundations, bringing the home up to current Uniform Building Code and repairing or replacing major systems to meet health and safety requirements.

Emergency Repair Loan Program: Provides low interest loans that are deferred-payment 5% simple-interest loans. Since the loan payments are deferred, they do not have to be repaid until the homeowner sells their home, title is changed or thirty years has passed. The program provides low-income homeowners the opportunity to make emergency repairs to their homes with items such as: new roofs, electrical systems, plumbing, new bathroom items and new forced air heating systems. These loans assist those on fixed incomes so they can live in more comfortable conditions or remain in their homes.

Find details on those 6 programs

City of Monterey Park (1 program)

Home Repair Program: Offers financial assistance through grants and loans to qualified low- and moderate-income households to repair or improve their homes. Assistance shall be available to eligible homeowners in the form of deferred loans of up to $50,000.

Eligible Improvements but are not limited to the following:

• – Roof repairs
• – Plumbing and electrical repairs
• – Painting
• – Replacement of broken windows and screens
• – Handicapped accessibility
• – Other activities necessary to ensure the health, safety or welfare of the occupants.

City of Salinas (2 programs)

Rehabilitation program: It’s goal is to correct deficiencies and improve the livability of their residential property. Low interest loans in amounts up to $72,000 are available to eligible property owners to make repairs to their residential property. The loans are processed and administered by the HSP, with an interest rate of 5% for owner-occupied residences and 6% for the owners of rental property. The loans have an amortized term of 15 years.

Eligible Improvements: roofs, plumbing systems, windows, foundations, floors, electrical systems, bathrooms, kitchens, termite damage, etc.

Housing Accessibility Assistance Grants (HAA): Grants in amounts up to $14,000 per household are available to assist qualifying disabled property owners to remove architectural barriers which limit access or impede mobility, as well as to install fixtures which may reduce hazards aggravated by a disability.

Eligible Modifications: The following are examples of items eligible for funding: wheel-chair lifts, ramps, railings, grab bars, ball bearing drawers, personal hygiene hardware, appropriate floor coverings, installation of shower unit, widening of doors, cabinet alterations, rewiring to lower switches or raise outlets, replacement of door and window hardware, and alteration of plumbing fixtures.

Placer County (1 program)

The county does not have it’s own home repair program but outside of Roseville, residents can access the USDA Home Repair program. Low income senior can use Seniors First’s program below.

Home Modification and Safety Repairs: Offers free home and mobile home safety checks and repairs for low-income seniors and veterans. Typical health and safety repairs include installation or repair of grab bars, minor plumbing and electrical repair, and installation or battery replacement for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

City of Roseville (1 program)

Housing Rehabilitation Program: Purpose is to preserve housing occupied by low-income families and correct home health and safety problems. Loans available to owner occupied properties are deferred payment loans up to $100,000 at 0% interest and are secured by a Deed of Trust. There is no monthly payment. The loan is due and payable upon sale, change of title or change of use. Low income homeowners who are over the age of 62 and/or permanently disabled may qualify for a grant (up to $5,000) toward a rehabilitation loan.

San Luis Obispo County (2 programs)

The county does not have it’s own home repair program but a local community organisation (CAPSLO) does and offer the following 2 programs.

Minor home repair: Available at no cost to seniors age 60 or over throughout San Luis Obispo County and the Santa Maria Valley.

Home Repair Services may include:

• – Grab Bars
• – Handrails
• – Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors
• – Handheld shower heads
• – Minor plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and drywall to increase accessibility

 

Weatherization assistance: The same organisation offer a free weatherization assistance program helping you save money and make your home more comfortable. Services performed vary by funding source, and can include:

• – Door Weatherstripping and Caulking
• – Refrigerator Replacements
• – Diagnostic Testing
• – Heating, Cooling and Water Heater Repair or Replacement
• – Water Saving Measures
• – Attic Insulation
• – LED Lighting

Merced County (1 program)

Rehabilitation Program: Provides financing to repair income eligible and owner occupied homes in need of essential health and/or safety repairs. Some common home repairs include: roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, insulation, foundation, windows, and handicap accessible modifications.

Financing & Eligibility:

• – Financial assistance is provided through 0% interest deferred payment loans
• – Deferred payment loans require no monthly payments for 30 years
• – Loans are due and payable upon sale, change of title or change of use (e.g. from owner-occupied to renter-occupied), or in 30 years
• – The home must be owner-occupied and located within County limits.

Santa Cruz County (1 program)

The county does not have it’s own home repair program but the Santa Cruz volunteer center can help with home repair and home modification for seniors. You can contact them directly here.

Marin County (1 program)

Marin’s county homeowner improvement programs revolve mostly around energy savings.

• – They have rebate and free program for energy assessment.
• – Program to water and energy savings, green building.

Those programs are available for everyone and there are special programs for low-income residents.

https://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/sustainability/new-for-residents-page https://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/sustainability/low-income-assistance-programs

The county is also part of a network offering many rebates for home energy improvements:

• – Heat pump water heater
• – Induction cooktop
• – Insulation
• – Air sealing
• – Air duct sealing or replacement
• – Heat pumps
• – Heat pump dryer
• – Air conditioning, furnaces
• – Tankless water heater.

Butte County (1 program)

Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program: Provides low to no interest loans to help low and moderate income eligible homeowners fix and repair their homes in order to have a safe and healthy place to live. Eligible low and moderate income homeowners earn 80% or less than the median Butte County income. The maximum loan amount can’t exceed $100,000 per property.

Eligible work: Improvement to bring the home to the Health and Safety Code, repairs and improvements to a home necessary to correct any condition causing the home to be substandard pursuant to California Code of Regulations.

Rehabilitation also includes room additions to alleviate overcrowding. Rehabilitation also means repairs and improvements where necessary to meet any locally-adopted standards used in local rehabilitation programs.

Contact the person in charge of this program.

Yolo County (1 program)

Housing rehabilitation program: Provide eligible homeowners with low-interest rate loans to make repairs to their homes primarily addressing health or safety related issues. Applications for assistance are accepted year round and are available on a first-come first-served basis while funding lasts.

Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:

Household income at, or below 80% area median based on household size (see the State CDBG and HOME’s Table of Income Limits for current figures here).

• – Own their home.
• – Need repairs that are health or safety related.
• – Live in the unincorporated areas of Yolo County.

The loan program includes:

• – Interest rates as low as 3%.
• – Loan amounts up to $90,000 (CDBG) or subsidy limits (HOME).
• – Flexible loan repayment terms.