MyFinancialPrograms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the case of a disaster the SBA can provides grants and home loans to impacted homeowners. The funding covers losses not covered by your insurance and FEMA assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

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

HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters

Veteran with a lower income living in a rural area:

USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters

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

USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans

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

HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans

Seniors and Elders Help for Home Repairs

There are official free home repairs for senior citizens in Georgia but they are not only for seniors. Seniors, just like all Georgians, 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 Development) (2 programs)

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

Georgia Department of Community Affairs (GDCA)

This department doesn’t have a direct home improvement and home repair program. Instead it provides funding to counties and local organizations such as Habitat to help georgians homeowners. Most funds come from the CHIP program.

Georgia’s Community Organizations (90 programs)

Georgia Community Action Associations (20 programs & resources)

This statewide non-profit organization helps residents with many services and programs. For homeowners, they can help with weatherization services, LIHEAP, emergency home repairs and home renovations through third parties.

Habitat for Humanity (52 programs)

Thanks to their volunteers, Habitat rehabilitates houses for families and people in need in Georgia with 52 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 (18 resources)

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

Veterans Home Repair and Rehabilitation (1 program)

HOUSE OF HEROES: Provide home improvement assistance and repairs 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.

Contact info

WAP & LIHEAP (2 programs)

Weatherization Assistant Program (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
Georgia	$8,224	305	$4.3M

Find the program detail and contact your local organisations 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 organisations managing LIHEAP.

Free Roof Replacement Grants (many programs)

Major storms, wind and fires often damage roofs, and Georgia have many 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.

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.

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

Home Repair for Senior Citizens for Free (1 program)

Georgia Human Service department 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; may also include the purchase of certain assistive devices. It’s managed locally by your local Area Agencies on Aging.

You can also home repair and modification programs for seniors.

IMPORTANT: All the programs on this page are available to seniors citizens and people with disabilities.

Georgia Rural Residents (1 program)

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

GA homeowner amounts:

Grant (average): $8,200

Loan (average): $3,500

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 (26 programs)

Georgia’s counties have approved home repair and government grant programs and most major cities also have similar help for homeowners. Cities and counties received over $122M ($82M CDGB + $42M HOME) last fiscal year to help residents 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.

Fulton County & City of Atlanta (2 programs)

Senior Services Minor Home Repair Program: Seniors must be 55-years-old and above, own their own home, and have proof of homeowners insurance and live in Fulton County. There is no cost for this service. It may take up to 30-45 days before the contractor makes an appointment.

Examples of work that may be approved:

• – Structural issues: ceiling, wall, floors, doors, windows and sealants to protect from deterioration and security modification
• – Accessibility modification: installation of thresholds, ramps, zero step doorways, repair and installation of grab bars.
• – Plumbing: replacement of fixtures such as tub, shower, bathroom sink, or toilet.
• – Weatherization: installing storm doors, insulation, servicing heating and cooling units, and minor roof repairs.
• – Home and Exterior maintenance: removal of safety hazards, such as yard debris, fallen limbs, overgrown vegetation and replacement of window panes.

Call (404) 613-6000 to be added on the waiting list.

Minor Home Repair: Program for low to very low income homeowners and its purpose is to improve the livability of a home, to extend its life for a minimum of 10 years, and to meet the current minimum building codes, whenever possible. Major emphasis is given to housing problems affecting safety and health (such as gas leaks, outdated and hazardous electrical wiring, and plumbing).

The actual amount of repairs needed will be determined from an inspection and evaluation of the home. This type of assistance can vary depending on the needs in a home. If the home has too many major problems, it may not qualify for our minor home rehab/repair program.

Call 404-612-7193 to be added on the waiting list.

 

City of Atlanta (1 program)

HOME REHABILITATION PROGRAM: assist senior citizen homeowners that are at least 62 years of age and the house is located within the corporate city limits of the City of Atlanta.

There are multiple organizations there to help in Atlanta. Consult the up-to-date list on this document along their contact information and the types of repair they can do for you.

Gwinnett County (2 programs)

Housing rehabilitation: Program provides financial assistance to make home repairs for homeowners who qualify for the program. The cost of the repairs cannot exceed $20,000, as determined by the County’s cost estimate.

Examples of rehabilitation:

• – Repair electrical wiring
• – Replace rotted wood or siding
• – Repair damaged walls
• – Replace heating equipment
• – Replace roof
• – Improve energy efficiency
• – Insulation
• – Weather stripping
• – Replace faulty plumbing
• – Accessibility improvements for the disabled

Find eligibility details here and here

Brush With Kindness: Program done by Habitat for Humanity and provides basic interior and exterior home repair services for low to moderate-income homeowners who reside within the Gwinnett and Walton Counties service area. The program assists homeowners who are unable to complete repairs on their own due to age, finances, or physical ability.

Cobb County (1 program)

Housing Rehabilitation Programs: Program helps low and moderate income homeowners renovate their homes through emergency repair loans and grants and deferred payment loan programs. These programs make homes more livable for the homeowners, increase property values, and serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.

City of Marietta (5 programs)

Housing Rehabilitation: Program is designed to assist low-to-moderate income homeowners with repairs/rehabilitation that are imminent health/safety threats, deferred maintenance problems or code violations.

Emergency Grant Program: Can provide a One-Time Grant of up to $10,000.00 dollars to Extremely Low Income (XLI); or Very Low Income (VLI) Elderly (Age 62 and Older) and Disabled homeowners who have lived in the home as the principal residence for a minimum of three (3) years, to address housing conditions that are imminent health and/or safety threats.

A limited amount of grant funds will be available annually to qualified homeowners on a first-come first-served basis.

Grant funds may be used to correct the following deficient conditions caused by deferred maintenance and lack of other financial resources:

• – Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system repair or replacement.
• – Exterior doors and window replacements, insulation.
• – Electrical rewiring, including breakers, receptacles, GFCI, switches and plates.
• – Roofing shingles and deck replacement, soffits, fascia, boots and caps, including gutters.
• – Plumbing-sewer line repair- or replacement. Bath or kitchen appliance replacements (when necessary).
• – Other items as determined by Community Development Specialist.

Rehabilitation Loan: The Housing Rehabilitation Program MAY provide loans to eligible low-to-moderate income homeowners who have lived in the home as the principal residence for a minimum of three (3) years; are current with home loan, taxes and insurance- to address deferred maintenance problems, code violations and imminent health and/or safety threats.

20-Year Forgivable Loan: Loans MAY BE offered for zero percent (0%) interest and non-payable while the eligible homeowner maintains the home as the principal residence. The loan will be secured by a lien against the property totaling the value of the rehabilitation costs.

Funds may be used to correct the following deficient conditions:

• – Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system repair or replacement
• – Exterior doors and window replacements, insulation
• – Electrical rewiring, including breakers, receptacles, GFCI, switches and plates
• – Roofing shingles and deck replacement, soffits, fascia, boots and caps, including gutters
• – Plumbing-sewer line repair- or replacement
• – Bath and kitchen appliance replacements (when necessary)
• – Other items as determined by Community Development Specialist

Lead/Asbestos 5 Year Forgivable Loan: Homes built before 1978 are required to be tested and treated for lead-based paint and asbestos as part of any federally funded rehabilitation project. Homes built after 1978 do not require any federal testing.

A five (5) year forgivable loan [one fifth (1/5) of loan amount to be forgiven annually] with a zero percent [0%] interest rate. The loan will be applied to costs for inspection, testing, assessment and abatement of lead and asbestos.

The 5 programs details above can be found here.

DeKalb County (1 program)

SPECIAL PURPOSE HOME REPAIR: Program is designed to assist DeKalb County seniors (aged 62 and over) and disabled adults (aged 21 and over) in repairing critical conditions that threaten the subsistence of their homes or present threats to health or safety due to hazardous and/or unsanitary conditions.

Eligible Repairs

• – Heating/Cooling Systems: Failure of the Main Source of Heating and Cooling
• – Heat Pump
• – HVAC Unit
• – Plumbing: Plumbing Leaks or Failure of Water Supply Components
• – Waterlines
• – Water Pumps
• – Hot Water Heaters
• – Electrical: Damaged or Non-Working Electrical System or Wiring
• – Electrical Boxes (Breaker/Fuse
• – Basic Wiring
• – Roofing: Roof replacement or Failure of Roofing Components
• – Shingle
• – Gutters
• – Flashing

More details and your application

Chatham County & City of Savannah (1 program)

HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE: Provides small home repair grants or loans to eligible homeowners who own and occupy their home. Some funds may be used to purchase materials installed by volunteers. Some may be used by homeowners to hire contractors of their choice to perform approved work. Repairs typically focus on helping solve one or two exterior or system repairs. This is not a whole house renovation or extensive home remodeling program. The property must be located in the Savannah city limits. Household income restrictions apply for some funding sources. Assistance limits is typically, between $1,000 and $10,000

Typical Repairs:

• – Replace roofs
• – Exterior surface repair/painting
• – Plumbing, electrical and HVAC repairs
• – Correct code violations

Clayton County (2 programs)

EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM: Eligible Repair will address issues that pose a threat to the welfare of the homeowner and/or affects the livability of the home.

Who is Eligible: Clayton County residents 62 years of age or older, disabled person or a veteran who have lived in their principal residence for the last 5 years.

HOME REPAIR PROGRAM: Designed to help seniors keep their homes warm and dry with working plumbing and safe electrical systems.

List of Eligible Repairs:

• – Roofing
• – Heating and Air Conditioning
• – Improperly Working Plumbing
• – Unsafe Electrical
• – DA style accessibility items (ex: ramps, grab bars)

Cherokee County (1 program )

Home Repair Program: Goal is to fix dangerous health and safety issues that are in violation of current Cherokee County code standards. The funds are a grant and not a loan. Program is managed with Habitat for Humanity.

For low-to-moderate income homeowners;

• – The amount of the total cost of repairs cannot exceed $15,000; and
• – The homeowner must sign an agreement to remain in the home for 5 years.
• – The applicant must own and live in the home; manufactured home must be on a permanent foundation.
• – The applicant must be 55+ years old.
• – Family income must not be more than the maximum allowed (60% of median household income). Exceptions to the limits require the County Manager’s approval.

Eligible repairs (but not an all-inclusive list) include:

• – Leaky roof;
• – Plumbing problems
• – HVAC
• – Electrical problems;
• – Windows/doors;
• – Handicap accessibility; and
• – Flooring/carpet if there is a safety issue.

 

More details can be found here

Forsyth County (1 program)

Home repair Program: This program is managed by Habitat for Humanity of North Central Georgia and serves senior citizens age 60 or older, active U.S. military and U.S. veterans, and disabled non-habitat homeowners with repair needs.

There’s also a Critical Home Repairs for Veterans and/or accessibility modifications. Critical home repairs include:

• Safe: steps, windows, doors, locks, lighting, electric, etc.
• Warm: furnace, weatherization, hot water heater, etc.
• Dry: roofing, siding, plumbing, etc.
• Accessible: ramps, ADA modifications, accessible kitchens/baths, etc.

Verify both programs requirement and eligibility.

Richmond County & City of Augusta (5 programs)

HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM: provide decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing and bring houses up to code in addressing the roof, foundation, floors, siding, and the electrical and plumbing systems and to comply with Historic Preservation requirements. The country will inspect your home to determine if its feasible for repair and to obtain a cost estimate then see which of the 4 programs you are eligible for.

CONDITIONAL DEFERRED PAYMENT LOAN (CDPL): This assistance is made to individuals who are the owner of their property and whose income falls within 50% Area Median Income guideline. The property owner is exempt from making monthly payments. The funds assigned to their home will be collected in full, at the time of transfer and/or sale of the property.

LOW INTEREST RATE LOAN (LIRL): This assistance includes repayable loans made at interest rates of three percent (3%). LIRLs are made to applicants who qualify as moderate-income households. The loan approvals are based on the applicant’s ability to repay a loan. Loan repayment periods may extend up to twenty (20) years.

EMERGENCY GRANT: Those grants are dependent on the circumstances and the severity of the situation as determined by the Housing Rehabilitation Department. This program is limited to emergency work only and must be within our established emergency cost limit.

FREE PAINT PROGRAM: This program addresses the deteriorating exterior conditions of the older housing stock within Augusta Richmond County. The program provides free exterior paint to qualified homeowners and landlords whose tenants are residing within the county and who meet the low income guidelines established by HUD for that size household. The program provides the paint but the owner must make arrangements to have the structure painted.

Henry County (1 program)

Housing Rehabilitation: The county doesn’t have a specific home improvement program but they have funds that can be used for home repairs when a home health and safety needs to be addressed. You can contact the Community Development person in change on this page.

Hall County (1 program )

Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation: The emphasis of this program is to address health and safety issues for qualifying homeowners. This program will also focus on the vital life systems of a home, which include, but are not limited to, Electrical, Roof, Plumbing, HVAC, and Environmental Mitigation (Lead-Based Paint and Asbestos). The program offers a five-year deferred payment loan to qualifying homeowners with 0% interest. Verify the program eligibility income level.

Muscogee County & City of Columbus (2 programs)

Continuing Hope Program: Program offered by Habitat for Humanity of Columbus’s region. Program offers critical repairs and/or installations to include heating and air conditioning systems, roofs, flooring, plumbing, electrical updates and repairs, windows and exterior doors, etc. Eligibility: Seniors age 62 or over, Homeowners with disabilities and those that meet the income requirement set forth by HUD’s guidelines for Columbus, GA/Muscogee County.

Home Access Program: Program offers modifications for greater accessibility. Improvements may be in the form of disability accessibility (bathtub and/or shower modifications, widening of hallways, doorways, lowering countertops, ramps, lift system, track system, etc.).

Eligibility: Disabled homeowners living in Muscogee County and homeowners that have disabled persons living in their home.

Contact: Access2Independance

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.