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:

• Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants 
• Programs and Services for Individuals

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.

To apply for a loan or grant, you may:

• Visit U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Online Services.
• Contact your state's Rural Development field office.