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Loading...Massachusetts has over 85 grants for home repair and home improvement grants available to homeowner. This article provides you with all the main home repair programs offered throughout the state in 2024.
Home repairs can be a financial strain. In Massachusetts, our Homeowners Repair Survey found many homeowners have to delay them, and half of them delay due to financial problems:
- 12% of MA’s homeowners have to postpone major repairs.
- 50% of those homeowners postpone repairs for financial reasons.
So you’re not alone if you’ve problems paying important home repairs. The programs below may help you find those funds for your home.
Who provide grants for home repairs in Mass?
There are 5 main sources of financial assistance for home improvement in Massachusetts:
- 1- Federal : HUD (Housing and Urban Development) is the Federal housing agency providing programs and funds to the State, Counties and cities.
- 2- State of Massachusetts : Massachusetts Department of Housing (MHD) is a state agency offering funds to Counties, cities and local organisations in the state.
- 3- Counties and cities programs : The main organizations offering funds (over $137M) and programs to help MA’s homeowners with home repair, rehabilitation and improvement are at your county and city level.
- 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- Rural areas: Homeowners in rural areas have less resources but there are still often non-profits and the USDA is also helping rural homeowners with $235,000.
The important thing to keep it mind it that most programs can help with a broad range of home repairs. For example, there’s not only 1 window program but many programs can help with window repairs. That’s why we created the projects summary below.
Jump to a project:
| Window (8) | Heating & HVAC (9) |
| Roof (7) | Foundation (7) |
| Electrical (7) | Bathroom (6) |
| Plumbing (7) | Remodel (7) |
| Sewer & water (5) | Asbestos & lead (5) |
Jump to a group:
| Seniors (9) | City & suburb (9) |
| Disabled (9) | Rural (5) |
| Veterans (7) |
FAQ
Can I get a $10,000 grant for home improvement?
What free government grants for homeowners for repairs exist?
Who is eligible for government home improvement grant?
Confused about home improvement programs terms?
Who is eligible for government home improvement grant?
In general all homeowners are eligible for home improvement and repairs grants and assistance in Massachusetts (find them all below). In reality, because the needs are so big, some groups like seniors, veterans, disabled 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 program has their own eligibility, so you need to verify with programs in your area to see info you meet the income eligibility level.
Programs’ general eligibility by income and locations:
| Cities & Suburbs | Rural | |
|---|---|---|
| Low income | HUD, WAP, Cities & Counties programs, State, Disasters, Community Organisations, | USDA, WAP, Cities & Counties programs, State, Disasters, Community Organisations, |
|
Medium/High income |
Home Improvement Loans, State, Disasters, HUD | USDA, Home Improvement Loans, State, Disasters. |
Important reminder: Programs such as cities or counties assistance programs determine eligibility based on the median income in your area. This means that even if you have a moderate income, you might qualify for these programs if you live in a wealthier area. In other words, it’s better to verify your edibility with each programs first before thinking you won’t be able to receive funding for your project.
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 Massachusetts, by cities and by counties. Learn: how much they provide, if you’re eligible and where to apply.
What free government grants for homeowners for repairs exist?
In general, in Massachusetts, repair grants for homeowners can help with:
- – Make sure your home does not harm the residents’ health.
- – Make sure your home structure is sound and may not hurt its resident.
- – Help renovate or repair some major part(s) of your home.
- – Help seniors and disabled residents stay in their homes longer and safer.
Windows replacement (8 programs)
Windows are expensive; broken windows, no longer opening, warped frame, drafty and leaking air are a few among many common signs homeowners’ windows need repair or replaced. See also the Windows Replacement Guide for common window problems and replacements.
We have a separate resource explaining the programs for windows replacement in Massachusetts.
Window programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, WAP, Community Organisations, Disasters
Window programs for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, WAP, Community Organisations, Disasters
Window programs for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Window programs for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Roof Replacement (7 programs)
Storm debris and damages, roof at the end of their lifespan, hail and wind are always signs of big expenses when it comes to a home roof. But not everyone have a sizable amount ready at any time to fix or replace its roof. See also our Guide to repair or change your roof.
Once it’s time to find a roofer, our community selection of Massachusetts’ best roofers can help.
Roof help for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Roof help for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Roof help for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Roof help for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Foundation repair assistance (7 programs)
Cracks, uneven settling/heaving, soil conditions and drainage system issues are the most common problems requiring foundation repair.
Foundation help for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Foundation help for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Foundation help for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Foundation help for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Electrical & plumbing assistance (7 programs)
Electrical: Faulty wiring, circuit breaker problems, and electrical panel issues are major concerns.
Plumbing: Leaky pipes, water heater malfunctions, and clogged drains are common plumbing problems.
Electrical and plumbing help for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Electrical and plumbing help for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Electrical and plumbing help for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Electrical and plumbing help for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Heating & cooling, HVAC assistance (9 programs)
Furnace, boiler and HVAC malfunctions, thermostat problems, and duct work leaks cause heating issues while AC compressor failures, refrigerant leaks, and airflow restrictions are major cooling problems.
Furnace and hvac programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Furnace and hvac programs for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Furnace and hvac programs for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Furnace and hvac programs for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Asbestos, lead paints & pipes removal (5 programs)
Lead paint and asbestos in are still one of the main health hazard in older homes. Removing them is costly and most local governments have a program to help homeowners removing this hazard.
Asbestos and lead programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Asbestos and lead programs for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Asbestos and lead programs for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Asbestos and lead programs for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Sewer & water line repair or replacement (5 programs)
Fortunately frequent but replacing water line or sewers pipes is very costly. The programs below can help fund this repair or replacement depending of your income and where you live.
Water and sewer programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Water and sewer programs lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Water and sewer programs medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Water and sewer programs medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Home remodeling incentives (7 programs)
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.
Lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Bathroom remodel assistance (6 programs)
The programs’ goal is to bring bathroom to sanitary and health standards. Improving the bathroom finishing can be done with your own funds or a loan.
Lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Medium and higher income in a rural area:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Home modifications for disabled (9 programs)
Having a disability create issues in a home. Most funding resources let you upgrade and make modifications to your home in order to be able to live in it much longer. Ramps, bathroom and kitchen modifications, installation of grab bars, doorways enlargement, are all covered by accessibility programs.
Accessibility modifications for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Accessibility modifications for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Accessibility modifications for medium and higher income in a rural area:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Accessibility modifications for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Home modifications for Seniors (9 programs)
Most programs help you upgrade and make modifications to your home in order to be able to live in it much longer as a senior. Ramps, bathroom and kitchen modifications, installation of grab bars, are all covered by home adaptation programs for seniors.
Local Area Agency on Aging can also often help with some repairs.
You can find resources below and the curated resource for senior home modifications.
Senior home modifications for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Senior home modifications for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Senior home modifications for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Senior home modifications for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Cities and suburbs homeowners (9 programs)
Living in a city is often more expensive and there are home improvement programs available to city and suburbs homeowners.
Home repair programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations
Home improvement for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Home Improvement Loans
Rural Homeowners (4 programs)
Homeowners in rural areas have to rely on less external resources but there are still resources available to them for home repair and improvements.
Rural homeowner with a lower income:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Rural homeowner with a medium and higher income:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Disasters: FEMA in Massachusetts (10s if resources)
When the Federal Agency FEMA declare some area(s) of Massachusetts 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)
Veterans Home Repair & Rehab (7 programs)
The VA provide grants and loans to help veterans to adapt their housing to their needs when they have a disability. And naturally, veterans are also eligible to all existing home improvement programs:
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
HUD (Urban Housing Department) (2 programs)
HUD is the federal agency funding the Massachusetts’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 Massachusetts’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.
Mass Department of Housing (MDH) (3 programs)
This Department have 3 home improvement and home repair program to directly help homeowners.
Home Improvement Loan: Program is a 5% interest loan for 15 years and an amount between $7,500 and $50,000.
Get the Lead Out: 0% interest loan with payment deferred when the property is sold.
Septic System Repair: Program is a 0% and 2.5% loan with a term of 15 years and an amount between $1,000 to $25,000.
Find details, eligibility and where to apply.
Habitat for Humanity (16 programs)
Thanks to their volunteers, Habitat rehabilitates houses for families and people in need in Massachusetts 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 (10 resources)
ReStores provide discounted used, surplus building materials, appliances and furniture.
Rebuilding Together (2 programs)
Community Action Partnership of Mass (CAP) (24 resources)
These 24 non profits located throughout Massachusetts 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.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts |
$7,000 |
7,235 | $75M |
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.
Home Repair for Seniors in Massachusetts (1 program)
Massachusetts’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 Agency on Aging.
Massachusetts Rural Residents (1 program)
The USDA provide home improvement loans and government grants to low-income homeowners in Massachusetts’s rural areas.
MA homeowner amounts:
Grant (average): $9,514
Loan (average): $5,522
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.
Mass Counties & Cities (21 programs)
Massachusetts’ counties have some approved home repair and government grant programs and most major cities also have similar help for homeowners. Cities and counties received over $137M ($99M CDGB + $38M 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.
Middlesex County (0 program)
The county does not offer homeowners programs. But your city may offer programs.
Cambridge (1 program)
Home Improvement: Program provides low-interest and deferred payment home improvement loans as well as technical assistance in choosing & working contractors.
Lowell city (1 program)
Home rehabilitation: provides eligible homeowners a deferred, no interest loan to improve the living standards and quality of life for low and moderate income homeowners.
Worcester County (0 program)
The county does not offer homeowners programs. But your city may offer programs.
City of Worcester (2 programs)
Lead abatement: Program assist property owners with the cost of lead paint abatement in eligible properties.
More informationElder home repair: Program provides a maximum of $25,000 per unit in grant assistance to income eligible seniors to rehabilitate their homes major systems: mechanical, heating, roof, siding, windows.
Essex County (0 program)
The county does not offer homeowners programs. But your city may offer programs.
Lynn city (1 program)
Residential Rehabilitation: Program provides loans for repairs to make your properties handicap accessible and correct health and safety code violations.
City of Salem (2 programs)
Home Modification: Program provides funds for access modifications necessary to allow seniors and people with a disability to remain in their homes and live independently.
MassHousing’s Home Improvement: Program offer financing available to income eligible households for home repairs
Suffolk County (1 program)
Home Rehabilitation: Program provides assistance to low and moderate income homeowners who need home maintenance and repairs that they otherwise may not be able to afford.
City of Boston (4 programs)
Homeowner equity: The program offer 0% deferred loans up to $30,000 for single homes and $20,000 for condo owners to make repairs to their home.
Senior home repair: Program offer 0% interest, deferred payment home repair loan for everything from minor repairs to replacements of heating systems. Loan amounts are determined by the necessity of health and safety repairs.
LeadSafe: Program offers forgivable loans up to $10,000 to take care of lead abatement in your home.
Seniors Save: Program offers seniors homeowners an up $8,000 grant to help replace your aging heating systems. There is also a 0% interest deferred loan for the balance of the replacement.
More information on those 4 programs.
Norfolk County (0 program)
Norfolk city (1 program)
Retire-In-Place Assistance: Program provides financial assistance to income-eligible senior or disabled households to help repair and rehabilitate existing owner-occupied housing units.
Quincy city (1 program)
House rehab: Program provides up to $30,000 loan with a 0% interest to help homeowners with repair to their home. Senior can also benefit from payment deferment.
Bristol County (0 program)
Bristol city (2 programs)
Home rehabilitation & accessibility: Program provides low-moderate income households with financial and technical assistance to comply with health and city codes.
Emergency Repair: Provide offer a grant of up to $12,000 is available per owner-occupied home to assist with specific home repairs or activities that eliminate conditions detrimental to the safety and health of the residents.
New Bedford city (1 program)
Emergency repair: program is designed to assist eligible low and moderate-income households within the City of New Bedford to alleviate dangerous, hazardous, and/or unsanitary conditions creating an immediate danger to the individuals’ health or safety.
Plymouth County (0 program)
The county does not offer homeowners programs. But your city may offer programs.
City of Plymouth (1 program)
Housing Rehab: Program offers an affordable rehabilitation deferred loan until you sell. This loan is for low to moderate income households. The goal is to correct code/safety violations and addressing critical repairs such as plumbing, electrical, heating, roofing, handicap accessibility, and septic replacement.
Brockton city (1 program)
Homeowner Rehab: program provides financial assistance is offered in the form of a 0% interest, deferred payment loan, that is payable when the property is sold, transferred, or refinanced.
Repairs can include:
- – Roofing
- – Chimney
- – Electrical
- – Plumbing
- – Floors
- – Windows/Doors
- – Foundation
- – General Carpentry
- – Structure/or more
Hampden County (0 program)
Springfield city (2 programs)
Emergency Repair: Program provides a 0% interest deferred-payment loan, forgiven over five years if the owner continues to occupy the home as their principal residence. One-fifth of the loan is forgiven each year. The program is for immediate threat to the health and safety of the property’s occupants or to the property’s structural, electrical, or mechanical integrity.
Exterior Home Repair: Program provides homeowners with up to $40,000 to fund exterior home repairs, including roofs, windows, porches, siding, and painting for residences with 1-4 units. It’s a a 0% interest deferred-payment loan, forgiven over five years if the owner continues to occupy the home as their principal residence.
Barnstable County (0 program)
The county does not offer homeowners programs. But your city may offer programs.
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.