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Loading...Texas has over 135 home improvement grants, home repairs grants and resources available to low income homeowner families and individuals. This article provides you with all the main home repair programs offered throughout the state in 2024.
Updated: April 25, 2024
Who provide grants for home repairs in Texas?
There are 5 main sources of financial assistance for home improvement and repair in Texas:
- 1- Federal Programs : HUD (Housing and Urban Development) is the Federal housing agency providing programs and funds to the State, Counties and cities.
- 2- State of Texas Programs : Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is a state agency offering programs and funds to Counties and cities in Texas.
- 3- Rural residents: Texans living in rural areas can apply to State, County and they also have a specific program only for them.
- 4- Community Organisations: Texas’ have many none profit organisation helping (among other services) homeowners who can’t afford to repair their home.
- 5- Counties and cities programs : The main organizations offering funds and programs to help Texans with home repair, rehabilitation and improvement are at your county and city level.
You can review the Federal and the State of Texas home repair grants but ultimately your county and city, and community organisations, are the one you need to contact and where you apply for funding.
Jump to specific needs or project:
Who is eligible for government home improvement grant?
In general every homeowners are eligible to home improvement and repairs grants and assistance in Texas (find them all in this article). In reality, because the needs are so big, some groups like seniors, veterans, disable 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 programs have their own eligibility, so you need to verify with programs in your area to see info you meet the income eligibility level.
You can start with this table as reference for programs eligibility:
| Cities & Suburbs | Rural | |
|---|---|---|
| Low income | WAP, Cities & Counties programs, State, Non-Profits, Disasters | USDA, WAP, Cities & Counties programs, State, Non-profits, Disasters |
|
Medium/High income |
Traditional loans, State, Disasters | USDA, Traditional loans, State, Disasters. |
Which home improvement & repair are usually covered?
In general in Texas all 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: Grants for roof placement or repair. Also see the Guide to Repair or Change your Roof.
- – Windows & doors: Windows replacement grants and exterior doors. 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.
Can I get a $10,000 grant for home improvement?
Can you get a $10,000 grant for home improvement? Quick answer is yes, it’s possible. Find on this page all the information you need for home improvement programs by the State of Texas, by cities and by counties. Learn: how much they provide, if you’re eligible and where to apply.
What types of home improvement help is in Texas?
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 Texas’ Housing agencies, 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 Texas 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.
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
TDHCA provides home repair and home improvement funding with a few repair assistance programs.
Community Organisations (73 programs)
Community Action agencies (26 programs)
These non-profit organisations offer many services to Texas residents. One of them is home repairs and the other is weatherization.
Both programs usually reply on state, county and federal funding to provide help at no or minimal cost.
Habitat for Humanity (19 programs)
Thanks to their volunteers, Habitat is a non-profit and among the biggest charities in Texas. Habitat rehabilitates houses for families and people in need. 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 (26 resources)
ReStores provide discounted used, surplus building materials, appliances and furniture.
Veterans Home Repair and Rehabilitation (2 programs)
Veterans Affairs Texas Loan Center offer loans and grants to qualifying veterans to adapt existing dwelling to meet specific needs up to $100,000 for a loan and up to $20,000 for a grant.
Texas Veterans Home Improvement Program provides below-market interest rate home repair loans to qualified Texas Veterans up to $50,000 with 2 to 20 years terms.
Texas Rural Residents (1 program)
The USDA provide home improvement loans and government grants for home repairs to low-income homeowners in rural areas. This program is also known as the “Section 504 Home Repair Program“.
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.
Disasters: FEMA in Texas (10s if resources)
When the Federal Agency FEMA declare some area(s) of Texas 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)
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.
Window Programs (5 programs)
Government window replacement can be done for homeowners with 5 different programs. We have a resource for those windows placement programs in Texas.
Weatherization Assistant Program
WAP is funded by the Federal but managed locally. It help improve or change, among other things, 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas |
$7,776 |
14,144 | $150M |
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.
Free Roof Replacement Grants (many programs)
Major storms, wind and fires often damage roofs in Texas. There are lots of programs for roof replacement grants and assistance. There’s not one specific program only for roof but most programs on this page include roof repair and replacement.
We have a separate resources for Texas roof replacement grant programs.
Once it’s time to find a roofer, our community selection of Texas best roofers can help.
Home Repair for Senior Citizen Free Programs
There are official eligible free home repairs for senior citizens Texas but they are not only for seniors. Seniors, just like all Texans, are eligible to the same home repair programs listed on this page.
Question: Are home repair for senior citizens free?
Answer: Yes, usually, but it’s often different for each program. Some programs are 100% free while some other require a contribution. In most case they are free if the senior have a low income. You will find those programs and your eligibility with on this page.
Question: Need modification to your home because of your age?
Answer: You can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about home modifications programs for seniors (they often have home repairs programs for seniors).
You can also find specific home modification programs for seniors here.
Programs by County & City (52 programs)
Some Texas counties have home repair and government grants for home repairs programs and most major cities also have similar help for homeowners.
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.
Bell County
City of Killeen (3 programs )
Contact Killeen’s Community Development for it’s Home, Block Grants and Low income families tax credit (which can then be used for your home repairs).
Bexar County
City of San Antonio (4 programs)
San Antonio home repair grants and owner occupied rehabilitation loans are available for low-income and those who are not low-income. The loans come at much lower rates than traditional home rehabilitation loans!
Bowie County
City of Texarkana (1 program)
The Community Development Block Grant is available for Texarkana residents who want to make valuable upgrades to their home. You must apply with the city.
Brazos County
City of Bryan (3 programs)
The Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance, Home foundation, and Minor Repair Program offers eligible owners a forgivable and low-interest loan for moderate to major and minor free home renovation programs of owner-occupied homes.
Cameron County
City of Brownsville (1 program)
- Improved Accessibility – Modifications to the home that improves a residents’ ability to use wheelchairs, canes, or walkers; or aids in the performance of activities of daily living, such as eating and bathing.
- Code Corrections – Correction of violation citations issued by city safety personnel (e.g. broken doors and windows, trapped roofs, vegetation that prevents safe entry/exit of the home).
- System Failures – Leaking roofs, rehabilitation of failing or inoperable systems including plumbing, electrical, or heating/air conditioning. Homes beyond repair and that fall within the program’s established budget may be eligible for reconstruction.
Collin County
City of Pallen (3 programs)
The CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program is available to income-qualified Allen homeowners residing in a home built at least 25 years ago. Urgent Repair/Accessibility Program is available to income-qualified homeowners living anywhere in Allen. Property Improvement Program is a matching grant and available to income-qualified Allen homeowners living in a home built at least 25 years ago.
City of Frisco (1 program)
Frisco offers some home repair grants in Texas for those who qualify. You must meet certain income guidelines and your proposed repair must be able to contribute to city beautification efforts.
City of McKinney (3 programs)
McKinney grants for home updates might be able to help you make your home better. You can get help with repairs and help making updates to your home depending on your income level. You may also qualify for other assistance to make your home better.
City of New Braunfels (1 program)
New Braunfels provides low-income families with grants that can help you update your home. The program depends on how much money you make and the need you have for upgrades to your home. There are some limits to what the grant can be used for.
City of Dallas (1 program)
Dallas have a broad home improvement and revitalization program which includes a low-cost, forgivable loan to the homeowner that won’t exceed the maximum allowable funding level of $50,000.
City of Denton (1 program)
The city provides programs to assist low- and moderate-income homeowners living within the Denton city limits who cannot afford to complete major and minor repairs that, if left unattended, would jeopardize the health and safety of occupant
Ector County
City of Odessa (3 programs)
Home repair programs are available for Emergence repairs, Minor Repairs, and Rehabilitation/Reconstruction.
El Paso County
City of El Paso (3 programs)
The city has 3 programs for Minor home repairs, Sewers connection, Single housing rehabilitation.
Hidalgo County
City of Mission (1 program)
Mission residents can get help with community development block grants offered by the city. You must apply for the grant and must be able to provide it to contribute to a better community.
Jefferson County
City of Beaumont (1 program)
Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Assistance is available to homeowners who need assistance with repairs to their principal place of residence.
The Beaumont community development agency may help you with home repairs. The agency uses grants to provide assistance to families who qualify to upgrade their homes.
Lubbock County
City of Lubbock (2 programs)
Lubbock’s community development department provides low-income families with assistance for home upgrades through grants. You can get help with the program if you plan to make upgrades to your home and if you cannot afford the typical upgrade.
McLennan County
City of Waco (1 program)
Waco offers an interest free loan of up to $50,000 to improve your home.
City of Midland (2 programs)
Residents may be able to get help with housing grants. The grants are able to provide up to $5,000 in money for rehabilitation efforts in your home. You must prove that the rehab you’re doing to your home will make the neighborhood better.
City of Amarillo (1 program)
Residents of Amarillo can get help with home upgrades. You must apply through the city to get assistance with the rehabilitation efforts.
Smith County
City of Tyler (4 programs)
Tyler might be able to help their residents with upgrades to their home. If you’re low-income and you need to upgrade your home, you can apply for assistance.
City of Arlington (3 programs)
Arlington provides homeowner assistance to residents who want to upgrade their home. They offer home repair grants in Texas as well as loan programs for families who are of moderate income. You must apply through the Arlington community development agency.
Taylor County
City of San Angelo (1 program)
Residents of San Angelo who need help with home repair grants may be able to get assistance. You must be a homeowner, must meet certain income guidelines and you must be doing repairs that are in the accepted categories.
Tarrant County
City of Fort Worth (3 programs)
The city have 3 main programs:
1- Facade improvement.
2- Priority repair: Emergency repair program and Mechanical failure repairs for work costing less than $5,000.
3- Weatherization assistance: Weatherization program technicians perform an energy assessment to determine which energy saving repair or service is most appropriate and cost-effective for each home.
Travis County
City of Austin (4 programs)
- Architectural Barrier Removal Programhelps to make homes accessible for persons with disabilities & senior living in Austin.
- GO REPAIR! Grant ProgramHelps fixing serious structural issues for homeowners in Austin who have a low-income.
- Minor Home Repair Grant Program helps low-income homeowners make their homes safe.
- Home Rehabilitation Loan Program provides a 0%-interest loans to help low income homeowners make their homes safe.
Wichita County
City of Wichita Falls (1 program)
Wichita Falls, might be able to provide you with home repair assistance to upgrade your home for free. The assistance program helps by using a portion of the community development grant to make your home better.