Finding a secure and safe living place can be difficult for disabled homeowners. Financial limitations frequently prevent them from making the essential house improvements that might significantly enhance their quality of life.

Many modifications and repairs needed to ensure a home’s accessibility can be taxing for those on fixed incomes or with limited financial resources. The good news is that various home repair grants for the disabled and financial assistance programs are available specifically designed to help them with this.

Get A Free Mortgage Quote

Loans vs. Grants

People often ask, “Are loans the same as grants?”

No!

The two main types of financial aid are loans and grants, each with unique qualities. Like the FHA 203(K) Program, loans are cash borrowed with a repayment obligation that frequently includes interest. These can be useful for extensive repairs and upgrades, but careful budgeting is necessary because of the repayment terms.

Home repair grants for the disabled, on the other hand, are a type of repayable financial assistance, making them a desirable choice for eligible individuals. Grants are available through programs such as the Section 504 Home Repair Program to assist highly low-income households in addressing health and safety risks in their houses.

Aspect Grants Loans
Repayment No. Yes.
Interest N/A. Typically, yes.
Eligibility Often based on factors such as age, income and disability. Varies by program.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for home repair grants can vary depending on the specific program, but standard criteria often include:

  • Income Requirements: Many programs are designed for low to moderate-income households. Proof of income may be required to demonstrate eligibility.
  • Homeownership: Generally, applicants must own the home that needs repairs. Some programs may also assist renters, mainly if the modifications are necessary for accessibility.
  • Disability Status: Applicants may need to provide documentation of their disability, such as a letter from a doctor or proof of receiving disability benefits.
  • Type of Repairs: Grants are typically designated for specific repairs, such as those that address health and safety issues, improve accessibility, or bring the home up to code.

Federal Grants

Section 504 Home Repair Program (USDA Rural Development)

The Section 504 Home Repair program, also known as the Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants program, is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It provides financial assistance to very low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes or to remove health and safety hazards.

Eligibility: Applicants must be homeowners and occupy the house. They must be unable to get credit elsewhere because of their low income (50% less) of the median income. For grants, the person should be at least 62 years old and unable to repay the loan.

Benefits: Loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000. Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance.

Usage: Repairing or replacing roofs, windows, and foundations, addressing accessibility issues like ramps and grab bars, and eliminating health and safety hazards.

Special Housing Adaptation Grant (VA) and Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant (SHA)

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant and Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant to disabled veterans. These grants help disabled veterans build, buy, or adapt homes to accommodate their disabilities.

Eligibility: Veterans with specific disabilities from their time served. This includes the loss of leg(s) and arm(s), blindness, severe burns, and other disabilities specified by the VA.

Benefits: The SAH grant provides up to $117,014 (as of fiscal year 2024) for adapting homes, while the SHA grant provides up to $22,444.

Usage: Install ramps, widen doorways, modify bathrooms and kitchens, install lifts, and provide accessible pathways.

The Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant

The TRA home repair grant for the disabled is designed to adapt a family member’s home where a disabled veteran intends to live. The primary goal is to provide a safe living environment tailored to the veteran’s specific disability needs.
Eligibility: The veteran must have a qualifying disability from their time served, including loss of leg(s) or arm(s), blindness, severe burns, or an injury resulting in organ disease.

Benefits: SAH-Eligible veterans receive up to $46,130 for adaptations to a temporary residence, and SHA-Eligible veterans receive up to $8,415 for adaptations to a temporary residence.
*These amounts are subject to change and should be verified with the VA for the most current figures.

Usage: The TRA grant can be used for various home modifications to improve accessibility and safety, such as ramps, wide doorways, bathroom and kitchen renovations, lifts or elevators in double or triple-story houses and flooring replacement.

The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant

The HISA grant aims to help veterans and service members make medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to their primary residences. These modifications ensure the home is safe, allowing the individual to live more independently.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a veteran or active-duty service member. The modifications must be medically necessary and prescribed by a VA or other authorized physician.

Benefits: Veterans with disabilities from their time served can receive up to $6,800, and those with non-service-connected disabilities can receive up to $2,000.

Usage: The HISA grant can be used for various home improvements and structural alterations, provided they are necessary for medical reasons. Some common modifications include accessibility ramps, widening doorways, kitchen and bathroom modifications, and HVAC and electrical modifications.

State and Local Grants

State and Local Housing Authorities

Many states and local municipalities offer home repair grants for the disabled. Eligibility and benefits for these programs vary widely.

Eligibility: Applicants must typically meet income guidelines, be homeowners, and demonstrate a need for repairs or modifications due to disability.

Benefits: Grants and low-interest loans. Amounts and specific uses vary by program.

Usage: Common uses include roof repairs, plumbing, electrical work, and accessibility modifications like ramps and bathroom adaptations.

Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers

These waivers can be used for home modifications to help disabled individuals live independently.

Eligibility: It varies by state but generally includes individuals who meet Medicaid eligibility and have a documented need for home modifications to live safely at home.

Benefits: Funding for necessary home modifications.

Usage: Installing ramps, widening doorways, adding grab bars, and other modifications that improve accessibility and safety.

Get A Free Mortgage Quote

Non-Profit Organizations and Private Foundations

Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is a national non-profit organization that provides free home repairs and modifications to low-income homeowners, mainly focusing on the elderly, disabled, and veterans.

  • Eligibility: Low-income homeowners who are elderly, disabled, or veterans.

  • Benefits: Free home repairs and accessibility modifications.

  • Usage: General home repairs, installing ramps, grab bars, and other accessibility improvements.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity’s home repair grants for the disabled help low-income homeowners with critical home repairs, accessibility modifications, and weatherization.

  • Eligibility: Low-income homeowners, with a focus on those with disabilities.

  • Benefits: Reduced-cost or free home repairs and modifications.

  • Usage: Critical repairs, accessibility modifications, and weatherization improvements.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)

United Cerebral Palsy offers assistance programs that may include grants for home modifications to improve accessibility for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

  • Eligibility: Individuals with cerebral palsy or other disabilities who demonstrate a need for home modifications.

  • Benefits: Grants and other forms of assistance for home modifications.

  • Usage: Install ramps, modify bathrooms, and make other accessibility improvements.

By understanding the various federal, state, and non-profit programs available, disabled homeowners can find the support they need to maintain and improve their living conditions. Whether through USDA programs, VA grants, state initiatives, or non-profit organizations, there are numerous resources available to help disabled individuals live more independently and with greater dignity.

Are you or a loved one living with a disability and struggling with home repairs? At LendGo, we believe everyone deserves a safe, accessible, and comfortable home. That’s why we provide access to lenders offering specialized home repair grants for the disabled. For more information, call 844-(551)-6667.