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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

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 Ohio, 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 Ohio, free grants for homeowners for repairs 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.

What types of home improvement help is in Ohio?

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

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

Note: In some rare case you may find yourself with a mix of the types above. In all cases the important 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 Ohio’s Housing Agencies it 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 Ohio’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 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.

Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) (0 program)

This Agency doesn’t have a home improvement and home repair program to directly help homeowners. Instead it works with lenders who then help homeowners in Ohio. Look on this page for organizations in your city or county, they are the ones with home repair and improvement programs.

Veterans Home Repair (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

Seniors & Elders Help for Home Repairs (1 program)

Ohio’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 Agencies on Aging.

 

WAP & LIHEAP (2 programs)

 

Weatherization Assistance 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
Ohio	$8,009	12,510	$165M

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 (online application).

Free Roof Replacement Grants Ohio (many programs)

Major storms, snow and ice often damage roofs, and Ohio 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 Ohio’s best roofers can help.

Window Replacement (4 programs)

Find in a specific article information explaining Ohio window programs.

Ohio Rural Residents (1 program)

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

OH homeowner amounts:

Grant (average): $6,420

Loan (average): $6,480

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.

Habitat for Humanity Ohio (42 programs)

Habitat help low-income families make improvements needed on their homes with 2 programs: Brush with Kindness and Critical Home Repair.

You can find your local Habitat office.

Habitat for Humanity ReStores

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

Rebuilding Together Ohio (2 programs)

This organisation is active with home repair programs in the North East and Dayton’s area (South West) and in many counties on these 2 regions.

North East Ohio

The organization is active in Cuyahoga, Portage, Stark and Summit counties.

Find how to contact them here.

 

South West Ohio and Dayton area.

You can find the program and contact info for your region here.

Community Action Agencies (88 resources)

These non-profits organizations are present throughout the state and they offer many programs helping residents. For homeowners their programs focus on:

• Weatherization
• Energy efficiencies
• Home modification for seniors and disabled
• Home renovations
• Emergency repairs

Find your local agency here

Ohio Disaster & Emergency Management (many programs)

If you have been in a natural disaster, you can look at Ohio’s Disaster Recovery, it can guide you through FEMA’s funding. These free grants for homeowners for repairs are available after a natural disaster to help, among other things, repair damaged homes during a disaster.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

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

Ohio Counties & Cities (84 programs)

Most Ohio counties have approved home repair and government grant programs and most major cities also have similar help for homeowners. Cities and counties received over $211M ($150M CDGB + $61M 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.

Franklin County (4 programs)

Home Repair: The program provides for one or two major system repairs for homeowners residing inside Franklin County but outside the limits of the City of Columbus. Repairs are funded through a grant awarded to the homeowner(s).

Qualified homeowners can receive a grant for repair projects such as:

• – Furnace/heating systems
• – Leaking or failing roofs
• – Faulty plumbing or electrical systems
• – Structural issues
• – Handicap accessibility modifications
• – Upgrading sewage disposal and private water systems
• – Other healt and safety–related issues

Weatherization: You may qualify for this free service to tune-up your furnace or replace it, test your blower door, repair or replacement your hot water tank, safety check for your gas appliance. You’re eligible if:

• – Your household income is at or below the requirements shown in the program page.
• – You reside in Franklin County.
• – You are a Columbia Gas of Ohio customer.

Senior Minor Home Repair: The program ensure that the homes of our seniors are safe and secure.

This might include:

• – Minor plumbing, electrical, gas and furnace repairs
• – Smoke alarms
• – Handrails and grab bars in the bathroom
• – Concrete repair to main access walks and steps
• – Wheelchair and walker ramps
• – Broken window glass

City of Columbus (1 program)

Critical Home Repair: The program assist individuals and families to remain in their homes and live independently in a safe environment.

Eligible repairs include correcting lead paint hazards; replacing roof and roofing elements; furnaces; hot water tanks; gas, water and sewer lines; minor electric; securing bowing/shifting basement walls; replacement for critically damaged windows and/or siding to create sound, airtight and watertight environments; and repair or replacement for critically damaged driveways or sidewalks; etc.

Funds may also be used for health, and safety work necessary to eliminate physical barriers or increase independent living opportunities including but not limited to: custom designed ramps & handrails, widening doorways, modifying bathrooms for accessibility, installing grab bars, toilet assist railings, and porch or stair lifts, etc. in accordance with City housing standards.

Cuyahoga County (6 programs)

Home Enhancement Loan Program (HELP): provides homeowners of occupied or investment properties in eligible Cuyahoga County communities home improvement loans, at 3 percentage points below normal bank rates, for home repair or remodeling projects. HELP has no restrictions on a borrower’s income and few limitations on what improvements can be made to a property.

Home Repair Loan: Eligible homeowners can receive a loan up to $20,000 for repairs while funds are available. Examples of repairs may include: roofs, porches, gutters, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, walks and driveways.

Safe At Home: The program provides assistance to homeowners over the age of 60 or homeowners with a disability. Eligible repairs include: handrails, grab bars, smoke & CO detectors, doorknobs and deadbolts, door repairs, security lighting, and minor bathroom modifications.

City of Cleveland (3 programs)

Repair-A-Home: Program is a loan for code related repairs, mechanical repairs or health and safety repairs. The loan is a low-interest loans ranging from 0% to 3%, determined by total household income.

Senior Homeowner Assistance Program (SHAP): Provides grants to Cleveland residents age 60+ or disabled adults who meet income eligibility guidelines and own single or two family homes in need of critical, health, safety and maintenance repairs.

Exterior Paint: The program assists residents who reside in single or two-family homes needing exterior paint.The grants are up to $600 for exterior paint and supplies for owner-occupants and $400 for tenants/landlords.

More details and contact info for the 3 programs.

Note: Cleveland resident are also eligible to all Cuyahoga county programs.

Hamilton County (6 programs)

Home Improvement: The program allows homeowners in Hamilton County communities to borrow money to repair or remodel their homes at interest rates 3% below the lowest rate.

The loan can be used for any work you want, from roof replacement to paint and landscaping.

Senior home repair: Targeting residents ages 60 and over. The program can also be used for utility bills.

Emergency Repair Grants: People Working Cooperatively offers emergency repair grants to help income eligible homeowners with home repairs, energy conservation, and maintenance services. PWC focuses on living essentials, including heat, running water, working toilets, and other repairs that keep a home safe and habitable.

Assistance Repair for Elderly: The Community Action Agency’s (CAA) maintains the CARE program, which provides assistance to income eligible citizens for building code repairs.

Homeowner Assistance Repair & Building Order Remission (HARBOR):The program offers grants to help those who cannot fund the required repairs and do not qualify for the aforementioned programs. Additionally, citizens who are eligible to receive funding from the above agencies, yet still cannot abate all code violations could supplement such funding with the new program. Homeowners will only be able to receive assistance from HARBOR one time for one property.

Home Repair: Program offers financing for resident homeowners to make repairs to address exterior code violations and critical repairs for up to $15,000 available per household. No repayment needed.

Eligible Repairs: Exterior repairs for code violations: roofs, windows, siding, porches, gutters, painting, weatherization, fountain repair, walkways, and driveways.

City of Cincinnati (6 programs)

The city does not have a specific program but its residents are eligible to all programs available in the county.

Summit County (6 programs)

Housing Rehabilitation: The program’s money assistance is a Five (5) year forgivable loan. The amount of the loan is based on the amount needed to complete your home rehabilitation process. There’s no interest and no payments required of the applicant(s) as part of this loan. The loan will forgive itself automatically over the period of Five (5) years.

Rehab work may include, health and safety repairs, roof replacement and energy efficiency repairs.

Habitat of Summit County (1 program)

Home Repair: Program is a locally-operated program serving low-income homeowners who need help maintaining the exterior of their homes with a zero percent interest loan repayment.

Rebuilding Together (3 programs)

The organisation do 3 minor repair programs. 1 in the city of Akron, 1 in the city of Green and another one to do home modification for homeowners over 60.

City of Akron (1 program)

Home Repair: Program enable qualified Akronites to receive up to $25,000 for repairs to roofs, plumbing, HVAC systems and more.

Montgomery County (12 programs)

Emergency and Accessibility Program: For residents of the County outside the limits of the cities of Dayton and Kettering, up to $10,000 grant for repairs and modifications.

Emergency Home Repair and Accessibility Modification: Up to $10,000 grant for repairs and modifications.

Weatherization Grant: This program addresses issues such as insulation, furnace repair or replacement, hot water heater repair or replacement and supporting the additional expense of upgrading mechanical and building components from standard grade to ENERGY STAR.

Find details about all 3 programs.

Community Action Partnership of Miami Valley (3 programs)

Emergency Home Repair: Program will provide home repair assistance to a homeowner for repairs that are necessary to make the house safe for living, or to improve its energy efficiency. The program will cover upgrades such as bringing the electrical wiring up to code, repairing or replacing the septic system, or energy saving upgrades like adding insulation or storm windows.

Home Grant Assistance: The program assist with handicapped accessibility modifications, replacement of heating system, plumbing system, water heaters and hazardous electrical systems.

Disaster Reconstruction: Only repairs caused by the tornado are covered by this program and you are only eligible if your home insurance did not cover tornados.

See details and contacts for 3 programs.

Rebuilding Together Dayton: Its program ensure that low-income Montgomery County senior homeowners are able to live in a safe and healthy home by providing critical repairs and accessibility modifications.

Example of project: repairing a furnace, remediating electrical hazards, correcting dangerous plumbing problems, installing handrails, grab bars, and tall toilets. We are not able to address mold or lead abatement, electrical rewiring of a home, roof replacement, or whole home rehab.

Habitat Dayton: Repairs can be interior or exterior work performed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations, including a change to or repair of materials or components.

City of Dayton (1 program)

The city announced a budget of a few millions to repair and rehab homes in Dayton. You can contact the city directly but as we write this there’s no official program created yet.

City of Kettering (2 programs)

Home Rehab: The program have 2 types of funding.

Low Interest Loans: Depending on your household’s income, you may qualify for a loan with a zero to three-percent interest rate. The terms of the loan are based on the applicant’s ability to repay the loan.

Deferred Loans: Available for income eligible residents 62 years and older who have a limited income and lack financial resources to assume a monthly debt.

Several types of repairs or improvements are eligible under the Housing Rehab Program:

• – Heating, plumbing and electrical systems
• – Roof replacement
• – Windows and doors
• – Insulation and siding

Lucas County ( 4 programs)

Home Preservation: The program is a low-interest loans are made possible by these local lenders.

Most home repair & maintenance projects qualify:

• – Painting
• – Kitchen and bath remodeling
• – Electrical work
• – Energy efficiency upgrades
• – Roof replacements
• – Driveways
• – HVAC

City of Toledo (1 program)

Home Rehab: Program assist property owners with fixing code problems only with a 10-year, forgivable deferred payment loan of up to $32,000 for code related repairs and up to $16,000 for lead remediation. The loan may be forgiven after 10 years if you remain the owner of record and the primary occupant.

Eligible project:

• – leaky roofs
• – faulty furnaces
• – crumbling foundations
• – possible lead hazard issues.

GLCAP (1 program)

Home Repair: The GLCAP Home Repair program provides home repair assistance for a variety of needs if you own a home.

Pathway Toledo (1 program)

Senior Emergency Home Repair: Program correct violations in their homes that present a hazard, health, or safety concern.

If eligible, anyone of the following problems may be done such as:

• – Faulty electrical wiring
• – Inadequate heat
• – Ruptured water lines
• – Hot water tanks
• – Plumbing problems
• – Leaking roofs

Butler County (12 programs)

PEOPLE WORKING COOPERATIVELY (PWC) (2 programs)

Organisation offers 2 programs to help you fix your home: Emergency repair and critical repairs.

SELF (1 program)

Home Repair: Program helps low-income homeowners with free home repairs and mobility modifications

City of Hamilton (1 program)

Home Repair and Improvement: Offers low-interest home repair loans to assist you in repairing and improving your home.

Stark County (5 programs)

Fix-It Funds Home Improvement Loan: Enables eligible homeowners to repair or remodel their homes at interest rates up to 2% below the bank’s current interest rate. Loan amount is between $5,000 and $50,000 and can be used for repairs, remodeling, property upgrades and code compliance with few restrictions. These may include: painting, wallpapering, lighting, flooring, plumbing, carpeting, furnaces, air conditioners, additions, decks, window and door replacements, roofing, siding, gutters, driveways and sidewalks. Such “luxury” improvements as swimming pools, satellite dishes and hot tubs are ineligible.

Full Rehabilitation: Provides a onetime only grant and 0% interest loan for qualified homeowners to rehabilitate their homes. Work can include electric, plumbing, roofs, windows, furnaces, siding, flooring, wall repairs, etc. General home remodeling does not qualify. Projects may range up to $25,000 depending upon qualifications.

Emergency Grant/Deferred Loan: Program can be for any emergency project which totals more than $15,000.00 a 0% interest deferred loan will be given with a lien to be placed on the project balance over the $15,000.00 grant. Repairs under this program are for emergency situations that occur or have occurred in the past 3 months and include such things as furnace repairs, water wells, roof repairs, etc. that pose an immediate threat to the health or safety of the occupants.

Sewer Connection/Septic Improvement: This program is a one time only 0% interest deferred loan for the connection to the Stark County Sewer System (where available) and for repairs or replacements of septic systems where sanitary sewer does not exist.

Housing Accessibility: This program is a one time only accessibility grant of up to $20,000. This program is for qualified individuals with a permanent physical disability(s), that limits the use of their house. Work can include the alteration of architectural barriers, such as the installation of wheelchair ramps, doorway alterations, bathroom accessibility, and stair lifts.

See all programs details.

City of Canton (3 programs)

Minor Home Repair: Program can correct one in-home code compliance issue, which if neglected could adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the low-income homeowner. Eligible repairs are: Major electric work, major plumbing work, repair or replacement of steps, porch repairs, installation of a ramp, exterior concrete work, or energy conservation.

Roof Replacement: The program repair, replace or correct roofing, gutter and fascia problems from the gutters up. Garages will only be included if they are attached to the single-family structure. Eligible repairs are: Roof repair/replacement, sheathing, rafters, flashing, vents, structural members, soffits, fascia, gutters, downspouts and chimneys.

Find both city programs details here.

SHORB Neighborhood Home Repair (1 program)

If you live in the Shorb neighborhood you could be eligible for home repair.

See details here.

Lorain County (5 programs)

Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) (2 programs)

Home Repair: Provides necessary and vital repairs and improvements for electrical repairs/upgrades; plumbing repairs/upgrades; ADA modifications; roof replacements; furnace replacements; water tank replacements; insulation; siding repairs; and structural repairs.

Home Rehabilitation: Program covers more extensive repair work on the home, and is largely grant funded and partially funded by a no-interest deferred loan that must be paid upon sale of the home or title transfer.

Both programs details and contact info.

City of Lorain (3 programs)

Home Rehabilitation: Program offers repairs to improve the quality of their homeowners and create a positive effect in the surrounding neighborhood. The program provides up to $45,000 of home rehabilitation.

Roof & Gutter Program: Change, fix or add gutters to your home to help preserve it.

Weatherization Program: Furnace & Hot Water Tank Repair and Replacement.

All city programs details and contact.

Warren County (11 programs)

Home Rehab: Program offers deferred, interest-free loans to residents for home repair or rehabilitation projects.

People Working Cooperatively (PWC) (2 programs)

Emergency Home Repairs and Critical Home Repairs: Both programs help you stay safely in your home witout risks of injuries. Programs cover everything from blocked pipes, electrical upgrade to roof change.

Western Reserve Community Development

City of Mentor

CBDG: The program offer a no interest up to $10,000 deferred loan to county resident in order to repair their homes.

Housing rehab: The program offer a 0% forgivable loan to county resident to repair their home.

Both programs details and contacts

Seniors home repairs: A new program for seniors home repair should soon be available.

City of Cleveland (5 programs)

Repair-A-Home (RAH): The program offers low-interest loans ranging from 0% to 3%, based by household income. These loans are only for code related repairs, mechanical repairs or health and safety repairs.

Senior Homeowner Assistance Program (SHAP): The program provides grants to residents age 60+ or disabled adults who meet income eligibility guidelines and own single or two family homes in need of critical, health, safety and maintenance repairs.

Exterior Paint Program: Program provides a valuable incentive to homeowners and tenants to maintain the exterior of their home and aid in reducing lead-based paint hazards. The Exterior Paint Program assists residents who reside in single or two-family homes needing exterior paint.The Program provides grants of up to $600 for exterior paint and supplies for owner-occupants and $400 for tenants/landlords.

See programs details for the 3 above.

Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP): The program offer loans available to all Cuyahoga County investors as well as owner-occupants and can be used to enhance properties with market values below $250,000. This lower interest program is not subject to income requirements.

Neighborhood Historic Preservation and Heritage Home Programs: The programs’ loans are not subject to income guidelines and can be used for owner-occupied as well as non-owner occupied homes.

Mahoning County (4 programs)

Home repair: The program assist eligible homeowners with repair or replacement of electrical, plumbing, heating or mechanical systems or elimination of health and safety threats. It can include handicapped accessibility. The program cost maximum is $18,000 including labor.

Home rehabilitation: The program can repair roof, gutters, doors, windows, furnace, plumbing, electrical, hot water tank, an structural issues. Maximum amount is 64,000 in the form a grant with 0% interest reduced 17% per year for 5 years and the balance payable at the sale of the home. So no payment is due or made until the home is sold.

Programs details

City of Youngstown (2 programs)

Roof Replacement: Assist residents of owner-occupied, single family homes with leaking roofs at NO COST to owners

Emergency Home Repair: Program assist residents of owner-occupied, single family homes with emergency repairs such as furnace and plumbing repairs at NO COST to owners.

Clermont County (3 programs)

People Working Cooperatively (PWC) provides critical home repairs, energy conservation, and accessibility modification services in an effort to help residents remain independent and healthy in their homes in southwestern Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana.

Emergency Home Repairs: Services are limited to two emergencies a year, and an “emergency” is defined as a situation that threatens a homeownner’s well-being.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• – Broken water pipes
• – Lack of heat
• – Safety problems, such as electrical hazards
• – Leaking hot water heater
• – Only toilet in the home not working

Critical Home Repairs: The program correct major defects threatening the safety of the occupants, integrity of the structure, general functionality of the house, and/or mobility of the occupants.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• – Roof repairs
• – Plumbing system repairs
• – Electrical upgrades
• – Furnace replacements
• – Accessibility modifications

Both programs details

Weatherization: Energy conservation program available to income qualifying citizens of Clermont County that own or rent their homes. It’s designed to help residents use less energy while increasing the comfort and safety of their home. An energy evaluation is completed on the home to determine the most cost effective weatherization services.

List of the services provided:

• – Safety inspection and tune-up/repair of heating unit.
• – Reduction of air leakage from major sources.
• – Insulation of water tanks and heating ducts.
• – Insulation of attics.
• = Insulation of floors in some instances.

Delaware County (3 programs)

The Housing Trust Fund: Provides assistance with home repairs for eligible low-income households. Services include: Roof repairs/replacement, Handicap modifications and accessibility, Heating unit repair/replacement, Electrical and plumbing services, Health or safety issues, Minor home repair (floor repairs, door replacements)

Elderly Home Repair: Provides eligible homeowners over 60 years old with minor home repairs to make their homes safer and more accessible. Services include: Wheelchair ramps, Accessibility items, such as grab bars, walk-in showers, etc., Plumbing, Electrical repairs, Roof repair/replacement, Heating unit repairs/replacement.

Habitat

Home Preservation Program: Offers minor exterior home repair to qualifying homeowners where Habitat volunteers complete the projects. The homeowner then repay the cost of the project with zero-interest monthly payments that the homeowner can afford.

The Home Preservation Program offers:

• – Exterior house painting
• – Porch Repair
• – Siding & Trim repair or replacement
• – Landscaping (planting, weeding, reseeding, removal)
• – Wheelchair accessible ramps
• – Window or door repair or replacement

With the help of the homeowner, Habitat volunteers will complete the projects.

Trumbull County & Portage County (3 programs)

Home Repair (HOPE program): provide emergency home repairs to low-income homeowners in Portage County and Trumbull County. The program is offered by the Community Action Council of Portage County.

Eligible repairs:

• – Repair or replace your heating unit.
• – Repair or replace your hot water tank.
• – Make additional repairs necessary to correct code violations.
• – Make handicapped accessibility modifications.
• – Repair plumbing or sewer problems.
• – Make limited electrical repairs.

Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership (TNP) (2 programs)

Emergency Home Repair Program: Provides an emergency home repair program and typical home repairs include furnace replacements, hot water tank replacements, electrical or plumbing repairs, roof repair or replacements, steps/railings construction, and bathroom accessibility modifications.

City of Warren (2 programs)

Housing Rehabilitation: Provides income-eligible single-family homeowners with up to $35,000 in a zero percent deferred loan to upgrade and improve their property in order to rehabilitate city residences. The loan can be forgivable at the end of five to fifteen years.

Emergency Home Repair: The program provides up to $7,000 ($9,000 if it is a roof) per homeowner to alleviate immediate threats to the health and safety of low-income city residents. The loans have a 5 year term.

Examples of emergency improvement:

• – Inoperable heating system
• – Lack of hot water
• – Improving accessibility or making repairs for the physically impaired
• – Severe roof damage
• – Repairing plumbing to ensure safe drinking water and sewage disposal
• – Repair electrical wiring or service defects

Both cities programs details.

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.