Aging in place requires having safe, comfortable, and affordable housing. The Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program was created to help more older Americans live at home independently for longer by keeping their homes in good repair, which benefits homeowners and strengthens their communities.

What is the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program?

Also referred to as the Section 504 Home Repair Program or simply the Home Repair Program, the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service. Its purpose is twofold:

• It provides loans to very-low-income homeowners that can be used to repair, improve, or modernize their homes as well as to remove health and safety hazards.
• It provides grants to very-low-income homeowners age 62 or older that can be used to remove health and safety hazards in their home. These grants can also be applied toward modifications, like adding a walk-in tub, that make a home more accessible to household members who have disabilities.

Who can get help from the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program?

This program is for existing homeowners of single-family homes. To qualify, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Own and occupy the house (and be able to document ownership)
• Meet your county’s guidelines to be classified as "very low income" (typically below 50% of the area median income)
• Be unable to obtain affordable credit anywhere else
• Be age 62 or older and unable to repay a loan (applies to grants)
• Live in an eligible rural area

To find out if your property must be located in an eligible rural area, you can visit the USDA Income and Property Eligibility website and search your address.

If you have a manufactured home, you must own the home and site or you must be in a long-term lease. The home must also be occupied and should be on (or will be placed on with USDA funds) a permanent foundation.

You can still obtain a loan or grant from this program if your property has income-producing land or structures. But you can only use the funds to improve the residential portion of your property.

How much money can I get from the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program?

The amount of funds you can get from this program depends on whether you qualify for a loan or a grant:

• Loans: The maximum loan amount is $40,000 and is to be repaid over 20 years on a monthly basis. Interest is at a fixed rate of 1%. For loans greater than $25,000, full title service is required. No down payment is needed.
• Grants: The lifetime maximum grant amount is $10,000. Grants do not have to be repaid unless the property is sold in less than three years.

If you can repay part of the funds received (but not all), you may qualify for a combination of a loan and grant. Loans and grants can be combined up to a maximum limit of $50,000.

What can  Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants be used for?

The Home Repair program's loans can be used to fund household repairs such as fixing a leaky roof or replacing a broken-down heating system. They can also be applied toward cosmetic or structural improvements, such as additions and kitchen and bath upgrades.  

The Home Repair program's grants, however, are intended to be used primarily to eliminate health and safety risks for older residents, such as winterizing a drafty house or repairing faulty electrical wiring. Grants can also be applied toward improving accessibility for residents with disabilities (e.g., installing a wheelchair ramp). Grants cannot be used to modernize or make cosmetic upgrades to a home. Be sure to check with your area Rural Development field office for specific funding guidelines.

Is there a deadline to apply for the Single Family Home Repair Loans and Grants program?

Applications are accepted year-round as long as funding is available. While there is no set deadline to apply, applications are processes in the order they are received.

How do I apply for Single Family Home Repair Loans and Grants?

The first step is to contact a USDA home loan specialist. Visit this map and choose your state to find a specialist in your area. They can answer any questions you may have and assist you with completing your application.

You can also contact your county’s Rural Development field office. Find contact information for your local office by choosing your state on this map.

Once you submit your application, the length of the review and approval process depends on funding availability in your area.

Learn more about the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program by visiting the USDA Rural Development website.