| Especially in these challenging economic times, it is | | | | all grants are available everywhere. You will have to |
| common to see home repair grants advertised | | | | look for the specific grant that may work for you. |
| everywhere. These 'free money' ads for home | | | | You can find opportunities offered through the U.S. |
| repairs are usually posted by companies that charge | | | | Department of Agriculture, or USDA, so you can |
| a fee to apply for the grant on your behalf. | | | | contact your local area office to find out what you |
| However, there is no reason why you can't apply for | | | | need to do to apply for their grant. They can also tell |
| the grant yourself and save this fee. All of the | | | | you who is and is not eligible for the grant, and they |
| information that you need to have to successfully | | | | can inform you of the grant application process. |
| apply for a grant is available free of charge from local | | | | Covered Repairs |
| government and private agencies. | | | | While not all repairs are covered by grants, the |
| What is a grant? | | | | fundamental ones generally are. A simple cosmetic |
| First of all you should understand exactly what a | | | | improvement or recreational improvement will usually |
| grant is. A grant is money that is given to you for a | | | | not be considered. They types of repairs that are |
| specific purpose, and it never has to be paid back. | | | | grant worthy include the fundamental structures and |
| The difference between a grant and a loan is that | | | | functions of a home like the roof, the heating |
| you do have to pay a loan back, even if you get a | | | | system, plumbing, the electrical system and water |
| really low interest rate or many years to pay it back. | | | | and sewer systems just to name a few. Another |
| There are government programs for both grants and | | | | area where a grant can be of immense value is if |
| low cost loans, and they are available for people who | | | | you need to retrofit your home to make it |
| cannot qualify for a regular loan. Grants go largely to | | | | wheelchair accessible. |
| people who have credit difficulties, the elderly and | | | | Application Process |
| the disabled. Each grant has certain eligibility | | | | When you locate an appropriate grant, you can |
| requirements, and when you apply for the grant | | | | always visit your local USDA office, and they can help |
| there is an application process that you have to go | | | | step you through the grant application process. Often |
| through. So if you fit the requirements for a specific | | | | times you can find help online as you progress |
| grant, you have nothing to lose by qualifying for it. | | | | through the application process. You will need to |
| When you are searching for grants, look for | | | | provide financial information like tax returns and pay |
| opportunities offered by the government, those | | | | stubs, and you will need a professional estimate of |
| offered through private funding, as well as grants | | | | the required home repairs. So be ready to take a |
| from state and local agencies and local service | | | | little time and do a good job filling out your |
| organizations. | | | | application, because it may make the difference |
| Available Grants | | | | between getting your 'free money' or not. |
| With such a variety of grants available, obviously not | | | | |