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Loading...New Jersey (NJ) has over 131 official home improvement grants, repairs grants, programs and local resources available to low income homeowner families and individuals (most programs are based on income). This article provides you with all the main home repair programs offered throughout the state in 2024.
Updated: April 25, 2024
Who provide home improvement grants in New Jersey?
There are 4 main sources of financial assistance for home improvement and repair in NJ:
- 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- State of NJ Program : NJ’s Department of Community Affair has a program to help with lead removal.
- 3- Community organizations: Many offer help for home repair, improvement and home modification.
- 4- Counties and cities programs : are the organizations offering funds and programs to help NC homeowners with home repair, home rehabilitation and home improvement.
- 5- Rural programs: are for people living outside of a major city in a rural area and are offered by the USDA.
You can review the Federal and the State of New Jersey 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 New Jersey (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 in those cases, 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.
Which home improvement & repair are eligible?
In general, in New Jersey 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. Also our Guide to Roof Repairs.
- – Windows & doors: NJ window replacement program info is right below. We have also a Windows Replacement Guide.
- – Foundations: Foundation repair grants and programs usually covers home foundation repairs.
- – Electrical & plumbing : Grants for electrical repair and plumbing assistance repairs are covered as long as they bring your home electrical and plumbing up to the local code.
- – Heating & cooling: Some States and Counties have heating grants and cooling programs to bring your system up to living standards.
- – Lead paints & pipes plus asbestos: Most programs cover the removal and change of lead and asbestos materials dangerous to your health.
- – Sewers and water line: Most home improvement grant programs cover funds to have your home connected to your town water and sewer system and in other cases to your well or septic tank.
- – Home structure: In some cases, if your home structure is no longer safe, programs will help with fixing the home structural problems. Note: in some cases the cost may be too high to fix and another program can help get a new one.
- – Home remodeling: In some cases a home can be remodeled if they need major repairs as long as the cost is not prohibitive. Since the total amount vary by program you have to verify on this page for programs in your area.
- – Bathroom remodeling: Some programs let you remodel a bathroom in order to bring them to sanitary and health standard.
- – Home modifications for seniors: There are multiple programs to modify seniors’ homes to help them living longer independently at home. Common modification are ramps, handle bars, bathrooms modification and kitchen are adaptations. You can find those resources in our resource for senior home modifications.
Confused about home improvement programs terms?
It can be confusing to understand the terms. Lots of different organizations have different words for the same type of help programs: home improvement grant, home repair grants, programs, free grants, relief service, repair assistance, etc. They are all synonyms of programs designed to help low and moderate income homeowners repair and fix important element of their house.
What are the types of home improvement help in NJ?
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) (2 programs)
HUD is the federal agency funding the New Jersey’s Housing agencies in its 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 New Jersey’shomeowners 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: 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.
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
New Jersey does not have a direct home improvement or repair program for homeowners. The sole program is for lead paint removal (see below).
Lead assistance: The program exist to deal with lead-based paint hazard. It assist eligible occupants in remediating and/or abatement lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 one to four family residential units..
Statewide organizations (66 Programs & Resources)
Community Action Partnership of New Jersey (CAP) (24 resources)
These 24 non profits located throughout New Jersey offer many services to their residents area. One is often home repair assistance programs for low and moderate income homeowners.
Find your area CAP by looking in this table. Then contact your closest agency to see the programs they have for homeowners like you.
Habitat for Humanity (17 programs)
With 17 local organizations in NJ and its volunteers, Habitat provide help to low income, disable and elderly homeowners to fix their home. Find and contact your local Habitat organization in New Jersey.
Habitat ReStores (23 resources)
ReStores provide discounted used and surplus building materials, plus appliances and furniture in over 56 location throughout the state.
Rebuilding Together (2 resources)
RT helps homeowners in need repair or modify their home and be able to live safely in it much longer. RT have 2 local chapters in Jersey city and the Northern Jersey.
Veteran Affair (1 program)
Home improvement & modification: Program provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Service members’ primary residence for $6,800.
Work purposes:
– Allowing entrance to or exit from the primary residence
– Use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities (e.g. roll in showers)
– Allowing accessibility to kitchen or bathroom sinks or counters (e.g. lowering counters/sinks)
– Improving entrance paths or driveways in immediate area of the home to facilitate access to the home through construction of permanent ramping
– Improving plumbing or electrical systems made necessary due to installation of home medical equipment
Find more details and how to apply
New Jersey’s WAP & LIHEAP (2 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.
| Spent per Home | Homes Weatherized | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey |
$7,556 |
6,516 | $68M |
Types of assistance:
- – Address air infiltration with weather stripping, caulking, thresholds, minor repairs to walls, ceilings and floors, and window and door replacement
- – Install attic and floor insulation.
- – Install attic ventilation.
- – Apply solar reflective coating to manufactured homes.
- – Install solar screens.
- – Repair or replace inefficient heating and cooling units.
- – Repair or replace water heaters.
Find the program detail and contact your county since they manage funds locally.
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 contact your county since they manage funds locally.
New Jersey Disaster Recovery
If you have been in a natural disaster, you may qualify for New Jersey’s Disaster Recovery Programs for disasters. These homeowners repair programs exist for a long duration after a natural disaster happened and they help repair homes during a natural disaster such as hurricanes.
New Jersey Rural Residents (1 program)
The USDA provide home improvement loans and government grants to low-income homeowners in NJ’s rural areas.
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.
Seniors and Elderly Help for Home Repairs
There are official elderly home repair assistance in New Jersey but they are not only for seniors. Seniors, just like all New Jerseyans, 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
Window Replacement (4 programs)
There is a specific resource explaining New Jersey window replacement programs.
Counties and Cities Programs (50 programs)
Some New Jersey 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 it directly and ask them if the city have a home repair program.
Bergen County (1 program)
Home Improvement (HIP): Program assist qualified low to moderate income Bergen County home and condominium owner occupants with an interest free, no monthly payment loan with improvements that upgrade the home and enhance the neighborhood. HIP provides loans of up to $17,500 for a one-family home and condominium interiors and up to $25,000 for a two-family home.
Eligible work:
- – Heating
- – Plumbing
- – Electrical
- – Roof, Leaders, Gutters
- – Exterior Siding
- – Windows and Doors
- – Driveway, Sidewalk, Steps
- – Other Home Improvements
Home improvements to basements and attics (other than related to infrastructure, e.g., plumbing, heating, HVAC, etc.) are not permissible.
Middlesex County (many programs)
The county provide funding to local communities for home rehabilitation. Contact your city housing or community department to find out about their housing rehab program.
Woodbridge city (1 program)
Home Improvement: Program is up to $22,000 loan for repairs with no interest ten year forgivable.
Eligible work:
- – Heating and Electrical Systems
- – Plumbing System Components
- – Roofs
- – Weatherization (windows, insulation, etc.)
- – Foundation
Edison city (1 program)
Housing Rehab: Program offers a no-interest ten-year loan up to $15,000 to assist low and moderate income persons for the purpose of rehabilitating their home.
Eligible repair:
- – Roofing
- – Plumbing
- – Septic Systems
- – Limited ADA Accessibility
- – Furnace/Boiler
- – Replacement of Windows
- – Electrical Repair/Upgrade
- – Sewer Systems
Essex County (1 program)
Home Improvement: Program provides Deferred Loans to low-and moderate-income homeowners who occupy a 1 to 3 family home. Homeowners in following municipalities may be eligible for assistance through this program: Belleville, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair, North Caldwell, Nutley, Orange, Roseland, South Orange, Verona, West Caldwell, and West Orange.
Examples of repairs:
- – Roofing
- – Plumbing
- – Electrical
- – Heating system
- – Code violation
Newark city (2 programs)
HOME FACADE IMPROVEMENT: Program provides up to $20,000 no-interest forgivable loans for owner-occupied homes. The loans is used for repairs or improvements to the property’s exterior which are intended to beautify the community and may also satisfy code violations or threats to the health and safety.
MINOR HOME REPAIR & WEATHERIZATION: This program offer free home repairs to seniors residents age 62+, homeowner, household income not to exceed $40,000, must have current home owners insurance – most retirees are eligible.
Work can include:
- – Installing, repairing, or replacing doors, windows, screens, gutters, shingles or other roofing
- – Outlets & light switches
- – Hand & stair railings & grab bars
- – Minor plumbing repairs: faucets, toilets, hand held shower heads, & raised toilet seats
- – Building ramps & widening doorways
- – Weather stripping, caulking, air seals & insulation
Hudson County (0 program)
The county provide funding to local communities for home rehabilitations through the HOME investment partnership. If you live in 1 of the following communities call them to find out about their housing rehab program: Bayonne, East Newark, Guttenberg, Harrison, Hoboken, Kearny, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Weehawken, or West New York.
Jersey city (1 program)
Home Improvement Program (HIP): This forgivable, deferred payment loan assists low-moderate income homeowners in abating code violations and to eliminate health & safety hazards existing in the Jersey City. Maximum amount of assistance is $24,900 per home and the Emergency repairs will receive up to $15,000 assistance.
Eligible Work Items Include:
- – Electrical Service
- – Heat/Hot Water System (No Conversion)
- – Plumbing: Water/Sanitation Service
- – Roof/Chimney
- – Smoke Detectors
- – Windows/Doors/Locks
- – Porch/Steps/Railings/Sidewalk
- – Siding
- – Handicapped Access
- – Code Violations
Ocean County (1 program)
Housing Rehabilitation: Heating, Weatherization, Aging in Place, Plumbing, Code Issues Structural Concerns, Roofing.
Habitat for Humanity Ocean
Habitat low income and seniors homeowners with minor and substantial repairs through volunteers. Contact them to see if you’re eligible, the work they can do and when they could do it at your home.
Lakewood city (3 programs)
Rehabilitation & Improvements: The programs are a rehabilitation Deferred Loan not to exceed $25,000 will be made available on a first come, first served basis. A lien will be placed on your home which will be recorded with your property deed.
Eligible Major Repairs or Replacements:
- – Roof
- – Heating System (includes hot water heater)
- – Plumbing (includes sewer and water connections)
- – Electric (Inspected by the Lakewood Township Electrical Inspector)
- – Weatherization to reduce energy consumption
- – Structural damage
- – Handicap facilities (documentation required)
- – Additional bedroom space ( ONLY when approved by program officialsSpecifically when different sex children reside in same sleeping area)
- – Stove (only when a safety hazard exists)
Eligible Minor Repairs or Replacements:
- – Minor painting
- – Masonry
- – Gutters and leaders
- – Drywall and flooring
- – Fixtures
- – Minor carpentry
- – Repair driveways and sidewalks
Toms river (1 program)
Toms River housing authority have the program as Lakewood above.
Monmouth County (1 program)
Home Repair: Program funding is not clear but it can help homeowners with minor and major repairs. Contact the county to learn about program funding.
Major Repairs Examples
- – electrical
- – running water
- – heating and cooling systems
- – severe roof leaks and damage (complete re-roof)
- – structural repairs.
Minor Repairs Examples
- – roof patch
- – porch or entrance repairs
- – window and door replacement
- – small framing repairs.
Barrier Free examples:
- – wheelchair ramps
- – stair lifts
- – kitchen and bath modifications.
Union County (3 programs)
Home Improvement: Program is a Deferred Payment loan of up to $24,999.
Eligible work:
- – substandard heating, electrical and plumbing systems
- – structural repairs
- – repairs to correct code violations
- – lead based paint remediation
- – stabilization measures
- – energy saving measures such as insulation, new windows and storm doors.
Senior Home Improvement Grant: Program’s grant is capped at $5,000 and it assist with home rehabilitation
Senior Home Repair: Home repairs eligible for consideration should be $500 or less, and should increase or restore the individual’s health and safety. Feasible home repairs include, but are not limited to, fixing a door or broken window, installation of grab bars, toilet repair, and window insulation.
Elizabeth city (2 programs)
Emergency repair: Program to repair or change hot water boilers and furnaces.
Home Repair: Program help residence of 1-2 families for up to $25,000.
Types of repair:
- – Roof
- – Siding
- – Windows
- – Sheetrock
- – Plumbing
- – Electrical
- – Sidewalk
- – Garages
Camden County (1 program)
HOME IMPROVEMENT: Program’s assistance must be used for the correction of housing code violations which are dangerous or injurious to the occupants. Improvements considered as eligible repairs will be determined by the
Inspector at the time of inspection. Funding is a deferred payment loan up to $ 20,000.00.
Passaic County (1 program)
Housing Rehabilitation: Program offers up to $40,000 in repairs as a no interest (0%) ten year forgivable loan. There are no monthly payments and the loan is forgiven if the homeowner maintains title and occupancy for a ten year period.
Eligible uses include:
- – Heating and Electrical Systems
- – Plumbing system components
- – Roofs
- – Weatherization (windows, insulation, etc.)
- – Lead-based Paint Remediation
- – Foundation
Habitat for Humanity of Passaic
Critical Repair: The program helps low-moderate income homeowners alleviate health and safety issues in and around their homes.
Repairs Include
- – Roof repair
- – Structural damage
- – Porch repair
- – Electrical
- – Plumbing
- – HVAC
- – Handicap Accessibility
- – Siding
Paterson city (1 program)
Minor home repair: Program offer a maximum grant of $15,000 per household for approved home repairs. A mortgage in the amount of the grant is placed on the property for a period of seven years. If the household retains ownership of the property and uses the house as their primary residence for the seven year period, the mortgage will be removed in its entirety.
Only minor exterior repairs are eligible, including the following:
- – Windows and Doors
- – Minor Roof Repair
- – Paint
- – Porches and Steps
- – Foundation Walls
- – Trim
- – Flashing and Gutters
- – Sidewalks
- – Landscaping (Front Yard Only)
- – Exterior Lighting
- – Fencing (Front Yard Only)
Morris County (2 programs)
Housing Rehabilitation: Program offer no Interest, no Payment 6- Year or 10-Year Forgivable Loan (Term is dependent on amount of assistance) to help fix by example:
- – roof replacement
- – furnace replacement
- – upgrade electrical
- – construct new well or septic
- – sewer or water hook-ups
- – provide handicapped access
- – etc.
Habitat of Morris
HOME REPAIR: Program helps lower income homeowners who are affected by age, disability, or family circumstances and struggle to fix and maintain the integrity of their homes. The maximum cost of repair is $5,000.
Services covered:
- – Window and door replacement
- – Extensive siding and trim repair or replacement
- – Major roof repair or replacement
- – Porch or wheelchair ramp construction
- – Floor and wall repair/replacement
- – Foundation repair
Burlington County (1 program)
Emergency Home Repair: Program provides limited grants to eligible homeowners to make emergency repairs to their homes. Eligible repair services correct conditions that pose an immediate threat to Occupants’ health, safety and/or welfare and can include, but are not limited to the following:
- – Inoperative heating systems
- – Absence of water service
- – Total absence of electricity
- – Inoperative water heater
- – Stoppage of electricity
- – Defective roofing (damaged or leaking)
- – Inoperative air conditioning systems
Mercer County (2 programs)
Residential Rehabilitation: Code violations and safety improvement assistance
Weatherization Assistance: Energy conservation improvements
Somerset County (0 program)
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (Somerset) (3 programs)
- – Brush With Kindness
- – Home Safety and Repair
- – Critical Home Repair
Gloucester County (2 programs)
Owner Occupied Rehabilitation: The program provide funding to renovate homes through emergency repair loans and deferred payment loan programs. Loans are 0% deferred payment loans from $1,000 to $24,999.
Weatherization Assistance: The program help income-eligible families reducing their heating/cooling costs and improving the safety of their homes through energy efficiency measures. Energy efficiency measures performed through the program include:
- – air sealing (weather-stripping, caulking)
- – wall and ceiling insulation
- – heating system improvements or replacement
- – efficiency improvements in lighting
- – hot water tank and pipe insulation
- – and refrigerator replacements with highly efficient Energy Star rated units.
Atlantic County (2 programs)
Housing Rehabilitation: The program provide financing up to $25,000 per household for eligible activities,
All assistance is offered to the homeowner in the form of a 0% interest deferred loan, secured by a mortgage, to be repaid to the program in full at time of resale, transfer of title, or refinancing
Example of work allowed including major systems:
- – plumbing
- – heating
- – electric
- – roof
- – weatherization (windows, doors, insulation)
- – exterior repair and painting.
Fix-It: The program provides minor home repairs to protect the safety of county residents 60 years and older in to help them maintain their independence and their ability to remain in their own homes.
Cumberland County (3 programs)
HOME REHABILITATION: Program pays for home repairs, focusing on those to correct code deficiencies, in residences of qualified homeowners. A maximum of $20,000 in assistance can be provided per eligible home within Carlisle Borough and $22,000 in Cumberland County.
Eligible work include but are not limited to:
- – Updating electrical wiring
- – Updating heating systems
- – Roof repair or replacement
- – Insulation
- – Doors
- – Windows
- – Siding doors
- – Interior and exterior painting
- – Chimneys
- – Spouting
- – Foundation repairs
- – Kitchens
- – Bathrooms
EMERGENCY REPAIR: The program provide up to $10,000 in assistance to homeowners in need of emergency repairs to their home through an interest-free deferred loan.
Repairs can include:
- – Roof or furnace repairs
- – Plumbing or wiring emergencies
- – Foundation stabilization
WHOLE HOME REPAIRS: Program is paused but it improves habitability, energy efficiency, and disability accommodation concerns. Funding are grants of up to $25,000 are available with a maximum of $50,000 per household.
Sussex County (1 program)
Habitat for Humanity
Home Repair: Program is paused right now but it usually help with floors, decks, ramps, painting, electrical, plumbing, and more.
Hunterdon County (1 program)
Housing Rehabilitation: Program goal is to maintain safe, accessible, and energy-efficient housing by helping eligible residents to correct code violations and other deficiencies in their homes.
Eligible work:
- – Code violations that threaten the life or health of residents.
- – Access into and throughout your home.
- – Weather damage resulting in code violations.
- – Heating (Cooling when deemed to be medically necessary)
- – Electrical
- – Plumbing
- – Structural (Including Windows)
- – Lead paint remediation
- – Well and septic repairs
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (Hunterdon) (3 programs)
- – Brush With Kindness
- – Home Safety and Repair
- – Critical Home Repair
Warren County (1 program)
Housing Rehabilitation : The program provides up to $16,000 per dwelling for home improvements such as: new roof, electrical improvements, smoke detectors, etc. The funds are in the form of an interest free loan which is forgiven after a 10 year period. The loan must be repaid only if the property is sold within the 10 year period.
Warren County Habitat for Humanity
Critical Home Repair Program (CHR): The program keep existing homeowners in their homes safely and affordably by providing critical home repairs to roofing, electrical, plumbing, interior or exterior damage or other items deemed necessary.