| ur home needs updating or has been damaged by a | | | | many of which are tailored specifically to rural areas. |
| natural catastrophe and you can’t afford the | | | | Other national options include non-governmental |
| renovation costs, you may be eligible for a number of | | | | organizations like Habitat For Humanity. Groups like |
| different home improvement grants. To learn about | | | | these build housing for low-income families. To be |
| different grants as well as tips on how to obtain one, | | | | eligible, you must apply to your local chapter and be |
| keep reading. | | | | willing to invest in the project as well as prove that |
| Popular Grant Options | | | | you’re able to repay the cost of your home. |
| Local Resources | | | | Once in the home, the responsibility to pay off the |
| One of the first places you should look for home | | | | ongoing mortgage and other expenses will belong with |
| improvement grant programs is locally. Check with | | | | the new owner. |
| your county authorities and state welfare office to | | | | Tips on How to Secure a Home Improvement Grant |
| determine what kind of home improvement grant or | | | | 1. Read all the related paperwork. Go through every |
| low-interest loan programs they offer. | | | | page of the grant documentation and application to |
| For example, King County in Washington offers a | | | | make sure that you understand it. If you’re |
| Housing Repair Program with 0% interest loans to low | | | | having trouble, don’t be afraid to ask for help |
| and moderate income homeowners. These | | | | by calling the people who are offering the grant or |
| interest-free loans allow homeowners to make their | | | | even simply by asking a friend to go over it with you. It |
| houses more energy efficient, take on major repairs | | | | is much wiser in the long run to swallow your pride and |
| and bring their houses up to code. | | | | request assistance to help clearly understand the |
| Another example is the Neighborhood Housing | | | | documents than to go move forward naively assuming |
| Services of Chicago that offers 4 different loan | | | | all will somehow work out. |
| programs and a grant program for specific | | | | 2. Pick the right program for you. Some programs are |
| neighborhoods in the Chicago area. Home | | | | intended for residents of particular areas, income |
| improvement financing programs like these exist all | | | | brackets or ethnic backgrounds. So, it’s |
| over the country and in most counties, so locating one | | | | important to read through the documentation and |
| in your area may not be so difficult. | | | | make sure you meet the qualification requirements. |
| National Resources | | | | 3. Have your own paperwork ready. Many of these |
| If your home has been damaged by a natural | | | | programs require proof of your household income as |
| catastrophe, such as a flood, hurricane, or tornado, you | | | | well as a full and detailed budget of the project. Be |
| may be eligible for grant programs sponsored by the | | | | prepared in advance by having on-hand copies of your |
| Federal Government or FEMA. These agencies offer | | | | and your spouse’s most recent tax returns plus |
| funding for specific areas and disasters. The U.S. | | | | several months of pay stubs. Also, have a full project |
| Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) | | | | budget prepared to submit with your application. |
| offers a number of home improvement programs, | | | | |