MyFinancialPrograms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veteran with a lower income living in a city or suburb:

HUD, PACE, WAP, Safe Home, Low-Income Home Repairs, Cities & Counties programs, State, Disasters

Veteran with a lower income living in a rural area:

HUD, USDA, PACE, Safe Home, WAP, Low-Income Home Repairs, Cities & Counties programs, State, Disasters

Veteran with a medium and higher income in a rural area:

HUD, USDA, PACE, Safe Home, Home Improvement Loans, State, Disasters

Veteran with a medium and higher income in a city or suburb:

HUD, PACE, Safe Home, Home Improvement Loans, State, Disasters

Seniors and Elders Help for Home Repairs

There are official free home repairs for senior citizens 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.

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.

Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about home repair programs for seniors in your area as well as programs for seniors home modifications.

You can also find specific home modification programs for seniors.

HUD (Housing Urban Department) (2 programs)

HUD is the federal agency funding Florida’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 Florida’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 Loan: 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 loan: Projects less than $35,000.
• – Standard 203k loan: 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.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation (2 programs)

Florida’s housing organisation had a (now closed) program to help with, among other things, home improvements. This organisation also have the 2 programs below.

 

PACE (1 program)

PACE program (Property Assessed Clean Energy) help any homeowners to finance energy-efficient improvement by offering financing options that are repaid through property taxes. Eligible improvement: windows, doors, shutters, roof, gutters, generators, pool pumps, garage doors, HVAC, solar panels, water heaters, and electric car chargers.

Pace fixed rates:	6% to 12.99%
Credit Score:	No minimum credit score and pre-payment penalties.
Time to decision:	Immediate pre-approval.
Coverage:	Offered in all Florida’s cities and counties.

My Safe Florida Home Program (1 program)

My Safe Florida Home program offers up to $10,000 in financial assistance and grants to Florida homeowners for storm-hardening projects, which may include: Upgrade roof covering, installation of a secondary water resistance for your roof, upgrading of exterior windows, doors, plus garage door for impact resistant ones.

 

What the program does?

1. 1- You get a free wind hardening inspection to see how your home can be made more storm and hurricane resistant.
2. 2- The inspector will give recommendation to harden your home in a report.
3. 3- If some improvement are recommended you can then apply to the Safe Florida Home program.

Where do I apply for a free inspection?

More program details and FAQ here.

Weatherization Assistance Program

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.

The program’s fund is given to cities and local non-profits to help low income homeowners. So contact your cities (see below) or one of the many local non-profits helping homeowners.

Window Replacement Programs (6 programs)

There are 6 programs helping with windows replacement in Florida. Their full descriptions are in the Florida window replacement programs resource.

 

Roof Replacement Programs (5 programs)

Florida have lots of assistance programs helping with roof replacement. 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.

 

We’ve create a separate resources for Florida roof replacement programs.

 

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. These free grants for homeowners for repairs are available after a natural disaster to help repair damaged homes during a disaster.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

You can find FEMA’s Florida site and available programs after a disaster. These programs are available long after a disaster and you may claim housing, financial, food, medical, etc.

Florida Rural Residents (1 program)

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

FL homeowner amounts:

Grant (average): $8,190

Loan (average): $4,950

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 $40,000
2. – Maximum grant is $10,000
3. – Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 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 to the USDA home repair grant application?

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. Their 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)

Most Florida counties have approved home repair and government grant programs and most major cities also have similar help for homeowners. Cities and counties received over $240M ($163M CDGB + $77M HOME) last fiscal year to help homeowners with various programs.

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)

Brevard county’s 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 (1 program)

Broward 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 (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 (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)

Columbia county have a home repair assistance to seniors when their home is no longer safe.

 

It also offer United Ways’ CARES program.

 

The Suwannee River Economic Council offers assistance 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 town homes 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.

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.