MyFinancialPrograms

There over 203 approved Florida home improvement grants,  home repairs grants and home repair resources available to low income homeowner families and individuals (most programs are based on income). This article provides you with all the main home repair programs offered throughout the state in 2023.

Updated: November 7, 2023

Who provide home improvement grants in Florida?

There are 5 main sources of financial assistance for home improvement and repair in Florida:

1. 1- Federal  
2. 2- State 
3. 3- Rural
4. 4- Communities
5. 5- Counties & cities
6. Disasters
7. Veterans
8. Seniors
9. Windows
10. Roof

You can review the Federal and the State of Florida home repair grants but ultimately your county, city or local community organizations are the ones you need to contact and where you apply for funding.

Quick overview of who does what:

1- Federal: Through the Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) money is profided to the States and local organizations. HUD also have it’s own country wide home improvement program.

2- State of Florida: The State use it’s own funding plus the Federal funds to finance its own programs as well as providing support to local organizations.

3- Rural areas: These areas are mostly covered by the Federal USDA programs to help rural residents with home repais and improvements.

4- Community organizations: There are many non-profits and community organizations throughout the state offering many free service to residents. Some of these are home repair, home modifications and other related services to homeowners.

5- Cities and counties: Most major cities and counties in the State receive funding to help homeowners with home repair and modifications.

Who is eligible for government home improvement grant?

Every homeowner is eligible to home improvement and repairs grants and assistance in Florida (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. 

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 by the State of Florida, by cities and by counties. Learn: how much they provide, if you’re eligible and where to apply.

Which free grants for homeowners for repairs exist?

In general in Florida all repair and improvement help with:

• – Ensure your home does not harm the residents’ health.
• – Ensure your home structure is sound and may not hurt 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: Government programs for free roof replacement grants. See also our Guide to repair, fix or change your roof.
• – Windows & doors: Florida window replacement program info is right below. We have also a Windows Replacement Guide
• – 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 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 modification 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.

What are the types of home improvement help in Florida?

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

Home Repair Grants & Home Improvement Grants: Typically grants 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 (Housing Urban Department) (1 program)

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

Florida Housing Finance Corporation (1 program)

Florida’s housing organisation have a (now closed) program to help with, among other things, home improvements.

Florida’s government still have the PACE program to help homeowners to fund windows and doors, shutters, roofing, generators, solar panels. The program funds everything making your home more resistant to weather and brings you energy savings. This program is designed to be easy to find your eligibility and get funding.

Florida Weatherization

Florida’s weatherization program might not be able to help you fix everything that’s wrong with your home, but it can help you make valuable upgrades to the energy efficiency of your home. The program helps homeowners who qualify by upgrading insulation and flooring to make the home more energy efficient.

Types of assistance:

 

1. – Address air infiltration with weather stripping, caulking, thresholds, minor repairs to walls, ceilings and floors, and window and door replacement
2. – Install attic and floor insulation (floors in northern Florida counties only).
3. – Install attic ventilation.
4. – Apply solar reflective coating to manufactured homes.
5. – Install solar screens.
6. – Repair or replace inefficient heating and cooling units.
7. – Repair or replace water heaters.

Contact your local office.

Florida Low-Income Emergency Home Repairs (1 program)

The Florida low-income emergency home repair program could help you if you need home repairs done right away. It’s a program that can help you make your home safer and it can also provide you with valuable home upgrades.

Window Replacement Programs (3 programs)

We have a full list of Florida window replacement programs in this more complete article. But you can get a quick overview below:

Florida PACE: This program fund many types of energy efficient improvements, among them windows. It funds 100% of the cost and can be paid over 25 years.

WAP Weatherization:  This program helps improve or change windows for energy efficient ones at no cost among other energy saving. 

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.

Free Roof Replacement Programs Florida

Are there any programs to help pay for a new roof in Florida?

Florida have lots of assistance programs for free roof replacement grants. Hurricanes and major storms often damage roofs and different agencies and organizations can help low income resident fix or change their roofs. Most programs on this page cover roofs damages either in form of grants or free or low interest government loans.

Verify if your City and County have a roof repair assistance program and if you live in a rural area the USDA can help you.

You may wonder if there’s a senior roof replacement program? Seniors do not have their own program but they are eligible to all other programs offering roof repairs and replacement throughout Florida.

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

Florida Disaster & Emergency Management

If you have been in a natural disaster, you may qualify for Florida’s Public Assistance Grant for disasters. These free grants for homeowners for repairs are for any time after a natural disaster to help repair things that are broken during a disaster. 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

You can find FEMA’s Florida site and available programs after a disaster.

Florida Rural Residents (1 program)

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

Who may apply for this program? To qualify, you must:

1. – Be the homeowner and occupy the house.
2. – Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere.
3. – Have a family income below 50 percent of the area median income.
4. – 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?

1. – Maximum loan is $20,000
2. – Maximum grant is $7,500
3. – Loans and grants can be combined for up to $27,500 in payment assistance

What are the terms of the loan or grant?

1. – Loans can be repaid over 20 years
2. – Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
3. – Full title service is required for loans of $7,500 or more
4. – Grants have a lifetime limit of $7,500
5. – Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
6. – 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.

Seniors & Elderly Help for Home Repairs

There are official elderly home repair assistance in Florida but they are not only for seniors. Seniors, just like all Floridians, are eligible to the same home improvement programs listed on this page.

 

You can also contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find local programs for seniors home repairs and home modifications.

You can also find home modification programs for seniors

Veterans Home Repair and Rehabilitation (1 program)

The VA provide grants and loans to help veterans to adapt their housing to their needs when they have a disability.

Community & non-profits (139 programs & resources)

Habitat for Humanity in Florida (50 programs)

Habitat rehabilitates houses for families and people in need with the help of volunteers. They are able to help with home repairs and updates to make your home safer. Habitat relies on volunteers (you and/or some neighbors if you’re seniors), to put some of the work into your home repairs. You can apply through 1 of Habitat 50 local chapters to learn about help available in your area.

Habitat for Humanity Florida ReStores (24 resources)

ReStores provide discounted used and surplus building materials, plus appliances and furniture in their 24 stores through Florida.

Community Action Agencies of Florida (65 resources)

These non-profits offer many services and programs to Florida residents. They’re service focus mostly on low-income and seniors residents. Homeowners can benefits from emergency repairs, home modifications, weatherization and other money saving energy help for their home.

Find your local agency.

Counties & Cities Programs (58 programs)

Some Florida counties have approved 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.

Alachua County (1 program)

The SHIP Home Repair Program assists low and very low income homeowners with critical repairs. Items eligible for repair include roof, heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, and accessibility repairs. To qualify the home must be owner occupied, the primary residence of the owner, must be located in Alachua County, and outside the City of Gainesville. Property taxes must be paid current. Homeowner must be very low income.

City of Gainesville (4 programs)

 

The home rehabilitation programs address primarily health and safety issues, such as electrical and plumbing problems; installation of new windows, roof and HVAC systems; removal of lead paint; and the retrofitting of special items for those with special needs. The city now have programs for:

• Minor and major Rehabilitation
• Total home replacement
• Emergency roof repairs
• Rental rehabilitation

Bay County (2 city programs)

City of Melbourne (1 program)

 

The Housing and Community Development can offer residents housing rehabilitation loans.

Panama City (1 program)

 

The Community Development Department offer home rehabilitation loans and grants through SHIP.

 

Brevard County (1 program)

The county home repair and rehabilitation program covers: leaky roof, damage due to roof leaks, windows that need to be repaired or replaced, water heater not working, plumbing problems,furnace problems, electrical problems,no insulation, not accessible to disabled persons.

City of Palm Bay (1 program)

 

The City of Palm Bay Housing and Neighborhood Development Owner-occupied homes located within the City of Palm Bay may be eligible for rehabilitation assistance up to $40,000 to repair major household systems, upgrade energy efficiency, provide additional security and safety.

Criteria for eligibility includes:

1. – Owner must have owned the home for at least one year prior to requesting assistance.
2. – All property taxes and mortgage payments must be current.
3. – Housing income may not exceed 80% of Area Median Income as defined by Florida Housing Finance Corporation, annually

Broward County Home Repair Grant (1 program)

The county have a Minor Home Repair program to help with: Barrier Free/Special Needs, Water/Sewer Connection and Foreclosure Prevention-are for qualified homeowners of owner-occupied single-family properties. Eligible properties include detached single-family homes, townhomes, villas, or condominiums. ​Multi-family dwellings or mobile homes are ineligible.

City of Fort Lauderdale Home Improvement Grant (1 program)

 

The home repair program is designed to assist very low, low or moderate-income homeowners by providing decent, safe and sanitary housing units. The program provides a fifteen (15) year deferred payment interest-free loan to eligible homeowners. The program covers windows, roof replacement, A/C replacement,plumbing, electrical, water heater replacement, accessibility improvements, weatherization, and other minor repairs.

City of Hollywood Home Improvement Grant (1 program)

 

The city’s Housing Rehabilitation Program provides a Housing Rehabilitation Loan to help you pay for upgrades that will make your home safer and better. You must apply for the loans through the housing agency in the city.

It’slist of eligible repairs and improvements is very extensive.

Columbia County (2 programs)

The country offer home repair assistance to seniors when their home is no longer safe.

 

It also offer United Ways’ CARES program.

 

The Suwannee River Economic Council offersassistance for repairs assistance for those who qualify through SHIP. You must apply through the council. In addition to helping residents of Columbia County, the council may be willing to work with anyone living on or near the Suwannee River.

DeSoto County (1 program)

Desoto County Community Service Department can help people with emergency repairs.

Duval County (1 city program)

City of Jacksonville (1 program)

 

The city provide a minor repair programs to eligible homeowners. It is a loan up to $55,000 to do minor and major repairs to your home. A limited repair program also exist but it’s no longer accept homeowners for the moment.

Escambia County (3 programs)

The country have 3 programs:

1. – Sewer connection program for homes not yet connected.
2. – Grant Rehabilitation Program: Electrical Rewiring, New Central Heating and Air Conditioning System Installation (non-repair/replacement), New Roof Installation, New Storm Shutter Installation, Replacement Windows and/or Storm Windows, Sanitary Sewer Connection
3. – Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program

Hillsborough County (3 programs)

The county offer a few home rehabilitation and improvement programs all using deferred 0% interest loans.

1. – Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program.
2. – Special Needs Barrier Removal and Rehabilitation Program
3. – Centre for Women (CFW) proprive home repairs funding.

City of Tampa Home Repair Assistance (1 program)

 

The city has 1 program is help maintain decent, safe and affordable housing for low/moderate-income families. Eligible repairs include:

 

Leaking or failed roof system, Failure of electrical, plumbing or HVAC systems, Failed structural systems such as floors and structural walls, Exterior deterioration (walls, foundation, porches, siding, etc.), Weatherization (windows, doors and insulation), Water heater replacement, Accessibility improvements (ramps, widening doorways, countertops, bathroom modifications, etc.), Lead based paint remediation or other environmental issues.

Loan Terms:

1. – Repayment loan/deferred loan/grant: Deferred loan secured by a recorded mortgage and promissory note.
2. – Interest Rate: 0%
3. – Term: Varied (Based on the amount of assistance)
4. – Forgiveness: Forgiven at the end of the loan term

Lee County (1 program)

Eligible repairs include: Roof repair/replacement, Plumbing, Septic repair/replacement, Heating and Air Conditioning, Well repair/replacement, Window replacement, Electrical, Door repair/replacement. The minimum assistance amount is $1000. Maintenance type repairs are not eligible. Mobile homes may be eligible if you own the mobile home and the land on which the home is located.

See all eligibility requirements.

City of Fort Myers (2 programs)

The city program assist homeowners with needed repairs to improve health, safety, and the structural integrity of the home. If you income qualify and live in the City of Fort Myers you may be eligible to receive assistance to make necessary repairs to your home.

Home repairs and rehabilitation: is designed to assist homeowners with needed repairs to improve health, safety, and the structural integrity of the home.

Emergency Repairs program: repairs given emergency priority, minimum assistance amount is $10,000 as a grant, maintenance type repairs are not eligible.

Leon County (1 program)

Leon County Housing and Human Services Department offers both housing rehabilitation and emergency repair options. The department works with low-income families who need to upgrades to their home for safety or health reasons. They also offer other assistance options for low-income families.

City of Tallahassee (3 programs)

 

The city have 3 main programs for homeowners needing help with repairs.

Home Repair Program: Its goal is to improve the living conditions of low-income homeowners by removing health and safety hazards and by correcting exterior code violations. The program provides up to $12,500 in a forgivable loan to assist low-income property owners. The zero-interest loan requires no monthly payments. If the homeowner continues to occupy the home for a minimum of 5 years after the repairs are complete, then the loan amount is forgiven.

Home Rehabilitation Program: The program provides up to $25,000 in a forgivable loan to address significant improvements with priority for health and safety hazards.

Home Accessibility Program: The program goal is to removes architectural or structural barriers from the homes of disabled persons. Up to $12,500 is provided through local partners such as the Center for Independent Living (Ability 1st) to make handicap accessibility improvement.

Miami-Dade County (2 program)

The county have 2 programs for home repairs and rehabs.

The Housing Rehabilitation Program: Offers a forgivable loan to help low-income qualified single-family homeowners make repairs in specific Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas.

Single-Family Home Rehabilitation: Help limited-income residents with home repairs. The program includes the services of a housing inspector for applicants who have received a house rehabilitation loan through Miami-Dade County’s Public Housing and Community Development.

City of Miami (1 program)

The Homeownership Preservation Program (HPP) will provide up to $70,000 in rehabilitation assistance to qualified City of Miami homeowners to fund exterior repairs consisting of repair or replacement of roofs, replacement of windows or doors and/or installation of hurricane shutters.

Orange County Home Repair Grant (1 program)

The Housing Rehabilitation program assists qualified homeowners with repairs to eliminate existing life, safety, health and code violations. To be eligible homeowners must have owned and lived in the home for a minimum of one year and meet very low-income guidelines.

City of Orlando (no city program)

Residents of Orlando need to refer themselves to the County programs for home repairs. Orlando doesn’t have a specific home repair program.

Palm Beach County Home Repair Grants (4 programs)

The county offer 4 programs to homeowners:

Housing Rehabilitation: This program give funding up to $75,000 to assist income-eligible (structure of one to four dwelling units) with substantial rehabilitation to correct code violations, eliminate conditions which threaten the life, health or safety of the occupants, connect residents to public utilities, or adapt residence to meet accessibility needs.

Emergency Repairs: This program assist owner-occupied applicants with up to $50,000 to fix emergency conditions such as roofing, electrical, plumbing, or structural repairs. Money may also be awarded to pay insurance deductibles for any emergency repairs covered by the policy.

Replacement Housing: The program funds up to $331,888 to assist homeowners residing in dilapidated structures that are beyond rehabilitation. Eligible uses of funding include, but are not limited to, Demolition of the existing property; Construction cost of a replacement home on the same lot or purchase of an existing home, and relocation costs.

Disaster Assistance: The programs offer assistance up to $65,000 for home repairs and $10,000 for rent and utility payments, for home repairs or rent and utility payments for households directly impacted by a disaster that is declared by Executive Order of the United States President, or the Governor of the State of Florida.

 

City of West Palm Beach (no city program)

The city refer its resident to the county programs when you need home repairs.

Pasco County Home Improvement Grant (1 program)

The country has an Owner Occupied Rehab program available countywide, including the six cities. Single family homes, villas, condominiums, and townhomes are eligible. Mobile homes are only eligible if the land is owned, and the home was built after 1994. The home must be Homesteaded, and Home value cannot exceed $240,000. You must have owned the home for at least 3 years to be eligible for the program.

Eligible repairs include but are not limited correcting substantial code violations, such as roof repair or replacement, ceilings; upgrading electrical, heating, septic/sewer, water facilities; and making handicapped modifications. We cannot fix the roof and ignore a dangerous electrical situation.

Pinellas County Home Improvement Grants (2 programs)

The county have 2 programs for homeowners needing help with home repairs.

Home Repair Loan Program: provides loans to low income and moderate-income homeowners at 0% interest, amortized for 20 years.

Independent Living Program: provides grants to low income individuals to fund home improvements such as wheelchair ramps, railings, bathroom grab bars and other special equipment to enhance the lives of residents who are physically disabled.

 

City of St-Petersburg (2 programs)

The city have 2 main programs to help homeowners with home repairs.

HOME REPAIR LOANS: Funding is available for people who own and occupy a single-family residence. Home repair loans provide the homeowner with the funds to remove health and safety risks from the home and to correct code violations to an owner-occupied residence. Examples include leaking roof, electrical hazards, plumbing and sanitary sewer issues and other threatening perils that are an immediate detriment to household occupants. Assistance is also available to identify and mitigate lead-based paint hazards.

Loan Features:

1. – 0% interest rate
2. – Affordable monthly payments based on household income and ability to pay
3. – 5, 10 or 15-year loan terms
4. – Loan forgiveness after 15 years of on-time monthly payments

ACCESSIBILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Physically, visually or hearing impaired homeowners or renters may be eligible for financial assistance to construct and install ramps, grab bars, chair lifts, accessible counters, widened doorways, notification lights, buzzers and other supporting fixtures that render a home accessible for persons with disabilities. Assistance may be awarded in the form of a grant of up to $3,000. Assistance exceeding $3,000 is available as an interest-free loan of up $15,000 for a term of 5, 10 or 15 years.

City of Clearwater (1 program)

Rehabilitation Assistance Program: Clearwater homeowner may receive up to $40,000 in a home rehabilitation loan through Clearwater’s owner-occupied rehabilitation program. Examples of home improvements include roof replacement, electrical repairs, plumbing repairs, air conditioner installation, door and window replacement and Americans with Disabilities Act modifications.

Polk County (3 programs)

The county have 3 programs to help with home repairs.

Home Investment Partnership (HOME): The grant funds are used to build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent and homeownership to low-income individuals.

Home Investment Partnership (HOME): The grant funds are used to build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent, homeownership, or to provide rent assistance to low-income individuals.

Community Development Block Grant: For low and moderate income persons to prevent or eliminate slum and blights. This grant also funds the county’s demolition program. 

Putnam County (1 program)

The county housing Recovery Program can help with homeowner repairs and reconstruction.

Sarasota County 3 programs)

The county have 3 programs for homeowners with repair and improvements.

Housing Rehabilitation Program: You may be eligible for a zero percent deferred loan to repair your home. This program provides loans to income-eligible homeowners who need roof repair, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical repairs. The program generally addresses emergency health and safety issues or code violations.

Essential Repairs Program: If there is not sufficient equity in the home, up to $20,000.00 can be loaned for repairs to essential systems such as Electrical, Plumbing, Roof, and/or Heating and Air Conditioning.

Barrier Removal Programs: This program is a grant and forgivable loan program designed to make the home accessible to allow income eligible disabled and elderly residents live independently. The first $3,000 in assistance is a grant that does not need to be repaid. Improvements costing between $3,000 and $15,000 are a loan that is forgiven at a rate of $3,000 a year as long as the property is not sold, transferred, leased and the homeowner continues to live in the home. There are no monthly payments or interest on the forgiven loan.

Seminole County (2 programs)

The county have 2 programs helping with home repairs.

Minor Home Repair Program: The program is designed to provide assistance in the form of a grant to eligible low-income homeowners who would not otherwise be able to make necessary repairs to correct safety concerns and improve the immediate livability of their homes. Assistance can be provided are roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC (heating and cooling systems), and repairs to improve accessibility for household members.

Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program: the program provides funding in the form of an interest-free, deferred payment loan to qualified homeowners who need more extensive repairs than what can be provided under the Minor Home Repair Program. Eligible repairs are completed by County approved licensed building contractors, and are restricted to repairs necessary to improve the health, safety, and well-being of the household or contribute to the structural integrity and preservation of the home. In cases where the structure has deteriorated to a point of being unsafe and no longer habitable, and rehabilitation would not bring the dwelling to property standards, the existing home may be demolished and a new home constructed under this program.

Volusia County Home Repair Assistance (3 programs)

Several programs exist that may assist eligible homeowners with necessary repairs:

1. – Housing Rehabilitation
2. – Demolition and Reconstruction
3. – Emergency Repairs

Wakulla County (1 program)

The Wakulla County Housing Services division provides its citizens with housing repair and replacement assistance through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program.