| Wouldn't it be wonderful to renovate your home and | | | | revitalization project? Talk to your local and state |
| let someone else pay for it? In many circumstances | | | | historic commissions and revitalization agencies for |
| you can do just that! There are dozens of programs | | | | help. Many offer grants to historic property |
| available today through local agencies, state | | | | homeowners to bring these historic homes back to |
| governments and the federal housing authority that | | | | their previous grandeur. |
| allow homeowners of every economic status and | | | | It's not uncommon today for many homeowners to |
| area of the country to apply for grants and/or financial | | | | need to make their existing property accessible to an |
| aid packages to help pay for personal renovations and | | | | older family member who has become disabled and |
| remodeling on your private home. | | | | no longer capable of caring for themselves alone. |
| Some agencies limit their funding for projects in | | | | Grants are available by many disability and older |
| specific areas of interest such as the revitalization of | | | | American organizations and agencies to remodel |
| certain geographic areas; historic preservation; | | | | current bathrooms; add sufficient ramps and so on in |
| handicapped accessibility; low-income housing | | | | existing homes. |
| renovation; etc. Others offer funding to homeowners | | | | Who's eligible for these types of home remodeling |
| who own homes built before a certain year; located in | | | | grants? Virtually any American citizen who is 18 years |
| a specific neighborhood or that may require a specific | | | | or older and either owns or rents their home and |
| type of renovation such as insulation; roofing; electric; | | | | meets a funder's specific grant requirements. I usually |
| plumbing;' siding; etc. The key to finding funds for your | | | | requires filling out a short questionnaire to determine |
| specific home remodeling project is to locate the | | | | eligibility, followed an official assessment of your needs |
| agency or organization that offers similar grant | | | | and request. |
| programs. | | | | Depending on the agency that's offering the grant, and |
| For instance, if you are interested in making your home | | | | the amount being requested, you may be required to |
| more energy efficient consider contacting your local | | | | submit a detailed plan of your project including a |
| utility companies; "green" organizations or state housing | | | | substantiated budget and a variety of personal |
| authority t inquire about any funding programs they | | | | financial information including current pay stubs and |
| may offer. | | | | federal income tax returns for the last one to three |
| Interested in purchasing an historic home, but not sure | | | | years. The entire process can take anywhere form a |
| you're wallet is ready to handle such an expensive | | | | few weeks to a year or more. |