MyFinancialPrograms

Mississippi has over 127 approved home improvement grants, home repairs grants and home upgrade programs 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.

Who provide home improvement grants in Mississippi?

There are 4 main sources of financial assistance for home improvement and repair in Mississippi:

1. 1- Federal Programs : HUD (Housing and Urban Development) is the Federal housing agency providing programs and funds to the State, its Counties and Cities.
2. 2- State : Mississippi’s Housing Finance Authority has a program to help with home improvements.
3. 3- Local Community Organizations provide
4. 4- Rural programs: are for people living outside of a major city in a rural area and are offered by the USDA. 
5. 5- Counties and cities programs : are the organizations offering funds and programs to help Mississippi homeowners with home repair, home rehabilitation and home improvement.

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

Who is eligible for government home improvement grant?

Every homeowner is eligible for home improvement and repairs grants and assistance in Mississippi (find them all in this article). In reality, because the needs are so big, some groups like seniors, veterans, disabled and low-income households are given priority. Even if you’re in one of those groups, you need to apply as soon as possible because funds are limited.

So it’s often first arrived on a 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.

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.

Which home improvement & repair are covered?

In general, Mississippi’s have 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 grants for free roof replacement or repair. See also our Guide to Roof Repairs.
• – Windows & doors: Florida window replacement program info is right below. We have also a Homeowners Guide for Windows Replacement
• – Foundations: Foundation repair grants and programs usually covers home foundation repairs.
• – Electrical & plumbing : Grants for electrical repair and plumbing assistance repairs are covered as long as they bring your home electrical and plumbing up to the local code.
• – Heating & cooling: Some States and Counties have heating grants and cooling programs to bring your system up to 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 MS?

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 fixed 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 means you have nothing to pay monthly. The organization offering these loans usually takes a lien on your home to be certain to be paid in the future.

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

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

HUD (Urban Housing Department) (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.

State of Mississippi (2 programs)

The state have a few programs to help homeowner repair their home. You can find them below.

Mississippi Home Corporation (0 program)

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (2 programs)

MEMA (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency) provide grants to local authorities for hazard mitigation and to up to $3,500 for  homeowners to strengthen a safe room.

FEMA (10s if resources)

When the Federal Agency FEMA declare some area(s) of Mississippi 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)

Mississippi’s WAP, LIHEAP & LIHWAP (3 programs)

WAP

Weatherization Assistant Program (WAP) is funded by the Federal but managed locally. It helps 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’s energy efficiency.

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.
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.

Find the program detail and apply directly or contact your closest Community Action Agency (see above).

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 or contact your closest Community Action Agency (see above).

LIWHAP

LIHWAP is a federally funded program that helps households with their home water and wastewater bills. At the time of writing this resources, it is not clear where you need to apply. We recommend you apply at the same office as the LIHEAP program above. 

More details here

Mississippi Rural Residents (1 program)

The USDA provide home improvement loans and government grants to low-income homeowners in Mississippi’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 and Elderly Help for Home Repairs

There are official elderly home repair assistance in Mississippi but they are not only for seniors. Seniors, just like all Mississippians, 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 modifications resources for seniors

Local Community Organizations (101 programs)

Community Action Agencies (82 resources)

The CAA have 82 local organisations helping with weatherization, LIHEAP plus home repair and home rehabilitation.

Habitat for Humanity (15 programs)

With 15 local organizations in Mississippi plus its volunteers, Habitat provide help to low income, disable and elderly homeowners to fix their home. Find and contact your local Habitat organization.

Restore (4 resources)

There are 4 Restores (in Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Jackson and Hattiesburg) provide discounted used and surplus building materials, plus appliances and furniture.

Veterans home repair & modifications (2 programs)

Veterans Affairs (1 program)

Cashout refinance: The VA offer veterans loans to help pay for home improvements and repairs.

See eligibility

HAVEN (1 program)

Program is a loan helping veterans with a disability make modifications to a home in order to be able live in it with its disability. Program is actually paused. Needed repairs will be determined from an inspection and evaluation of the home.

More information and find participating local banks.

Mississippi Counties and Cities Programs (many programs)

Some Mississippi counties have approved home repair and government grant programs and most major cities also have similar help for homeowners. You can find most of them below.

If you don’t see your county or city below you should contact its housing or community affair department directly and ask them if the city have a home repair program. If you live in a rural area you can be eligible to the USDA home repair programs.

City of Jackson (3 programs)

Housing Rehabilitation: Program’s goal 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 code.

Eligibility:

• – Property must be located in the City of Jackson city limits
• – Must be owner-occupied for a minimum of one year
• – You must qualify at 80% of the area median income
• – Priority is given to those who have not received assistance before
• – Owner may be required to live in the home for a specified period of time

Repairs can cover following areas:

• – Electrical
• – Plumbing
• – Sewer Lines
• – Heating/Cooling
• – Roofing
• – Termite Control
• – Windows
• – Exterior Doors
• – Exterior Paint (two colors)
• – Interior Paint
• – Insulation
• – Smoke Detectors
• – Bathroom Fixtures
• – Kitchen Countertops
• – Kitchen Fixtures
• – Flooring
• – Hot Water Heaters
• – Home Accessibility

Program details

CDBG Limited Repair Program

The program address lead-based paint and other housing related health hazards in the city homes.

More information

Healthy Homes Production Grant

The city have a minor home repair and rehabilitation program for homeowners. 

More information

Hinds County (3 resources)

Hinds county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Hinds residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Hinds and Capital’s area.

Harrison County (3 resources)

Harrison county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Harrison residents have to look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Harrison and the gulf coast area.

City of Gulfport (2 resources)

Gulfport city doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Gulfport residents can look into their local organizations.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Gulfport and the gulf coast area.

City of Biloxi (1 resource)

Biloxi doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Biloxi’s residents have to look into their local organizations resources to find home repair help.

DeSoto County (3 resources)

DeSoto county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  DeSoto residents have to look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in DeSote area.

City of Southaven (1 resource)

Southaven city doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Southhaven residents can look into their local organizations resources.

Rankin County (3 resources)

Rankin county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Rankin residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Rankin and Capital’s area.

Jackson County (3 resources)

Jackson county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Jackson residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Jackson and Capital’s area.

Madison County (3 resources)

Madison county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Madison residents have to look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Madison and Capital’s area.

Lee County (3 resources)

Lee county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Lee residents have to look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Lee area and northeast MS.

Forrest County (3 resources)

Forrest county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Forrest residents have to look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Pine Belt area.

City of Hattiesburg (4 programs)

The city have 4 main programs helping homeowners repair their home:

• – Homeowner-occupied rehabilitation
• – Emergency Repairs
• – Emergency Roof Repair
• – LeadSafe 

More information

Lauderdale County (3 resources)

Lauderdale county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Its residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Lauderdale and Meridian areas.

Jones County (3 resources)

Jones county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Jones residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Pine Belt area.

Lamar County (2 resources)

Lamar county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Its residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Lafayette County (3 resources)

Lafayette county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Lafayette residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Lafayette area.

Lowndes County (3 resources)

Lowndes county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Lowndes area.

Pearl River County (3 resources)

Pearl River county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Its residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Pearl River area.

Oktibbeha County (3 resources)

Oktibbeha county doesn’t offer home repair or improvement program.  Its residents can look into their local organizations or if you’re in a rural area resources to find home repair help.

Habitat for Humanity is active in Starkville area.