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Program Description

The Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program, also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, offers loans and grants to elderly and very-low-income homeowners. Very low income is below 50 percent of the area median income.

How may I use the funds?

  • Use loan funds to repair, improve, or modernize your home, or remove health and safety hazards.
  • Use grant funds only to remove health and safety hazards.

How much money can I get?

  • Maximum loan is $20,000.
  • Maximum grant is $7,500.
  • You may be able to combine loan and grants for up to $27,500.

What are the terms of the loan or grant?

  • You can repay loans over 20 years.
  • The fixed interest rate for the loan is 1%.
  • Loans of $7,500 or more require full title service.
  • Grants have a lifetime limit of $7,500.
  • You must repay grants if you sell the property in less than 3 years.
  • You may be able to get a loan and grant combination if you can repay part but not all of the cost.

To learn more, visit one of the program pages below:

General Program Requirements

To qualify for the loan program, you must meet all of the conditions below:

  • Be a homeowner who has very low income,
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and
  • Live in a rural area; check the address on the Property Eligibility page.

To qualify for the grant program, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Meet the conditions above,
  • Be age 62 or older, and
  • Not be able to repay a repair loan.

You must also occupy the home and be unable to get affordable credit elsewhere.

See income limits (PDF, 5 MB) for more details.

Application Process

To apply for a loan or grant, you may:

Last Updated: 09/11/2019