Government home improvement grants provide funding for repairs, safety updates, and energy efficiency projects. These programs exist to support homeowners who might not otherwise afford necessary upgrades, especially those with low income, veterans, or disaster survivors.
Unlike loans, grants usually don’t require repayment, but they come with strict eligibility rules. In this article, you’ll learn about 10 major grant options available in 2025 and how to determine if you qualify.
| Program | Best For |
| USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program | Very-low-income rural homeowners; seniors needing health or safety repairs |
| VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant | Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities needing major home adaptations |
| VA Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant | Veterans with qualifying disabilities who need smaller-scale home modifications |
| VA Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant | Veterans with SAH/SHA eligibility living temporarily in a family member’s home |
| FEMA Financial Housing Assistance | Homeowners in federally declared disaster areas with uninsured damage |
| FEMA Direct Housing Assistance | Disaster survivors needing temporary housing or direct repair assistance |
| FEMA Personal Property Assistance | Disaster-affected households replacing essential appliances or home-related items |
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Low-income households needing help with energy bills or small energy-related repairs |
| Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) | Low-income households needing efficiency upgrades like insulation or HVAC repairs |
| Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) | Low-income households seeking support through local agencies, sometimes including housing aid |
Table of Contents
- What is a government home improvement grant?
- 10 government grants for home improvement
- 1. USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program
- 2. VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
- 3. VA Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant
- 4. VA Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant
- 5. FEMA Financial Housing Assistance
- 6. FEMA Direct Housing Assistance
- 7. FEMA Personal Property Assistance
- 8. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- 9. Weatherization Assistance Program
- 10. Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
- Finding and applying for state or local funding
- Other ways to finance home improvements
- Choosing the best home improvement funding option
What is a government home improvement grant?
A government home improvement grant is financial assistance designed to help homeowners repair, update, or make their homes safer and more energy efficient. Unlike loans, grants generally don’t need to be repaid if you follow the program’s requirements.
These programs usually come with restrictions. Funds must be used for approved purposes such as fixing structural issues, upgrading utilities, or improving accessibility. Spending outside these rules could make you ineligible.
It’s important to know that federal home improvement grants are limited. Common examples include USDA’s Section 504 Home Repair program and VA housing grants. Many homeowners will find additional opportunities through state or local governments, or even nonprofit organizations.
10 government grants for home improvement
Government home improvement grants are not one-size-fits-all. Each program has its own purpose, such as helping low-income families, supporting veterans, or assisting disaster survivors.
Below, we’ll explore 10 of the most widely available government home improvement grants, what they cover, and the eligibility requirements for each.
1. USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Section 504 Home Repair Program supports very-low-income homeowners in rural communities. It offers loans of up to $40,000 for repairs or modernization projects and grants of up to $10,000 for older adults who need to remove health or safety hazards.
In presidential disaster-declared areas, grants may be as high as $15,000. Homeowners can also combine loans and grants, with total assistance capped at $50,000, extending up to $55,000 in disaster areas.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the Section 504 Home Repair Program, applicants must:
- Own and live in the home
- Show they cannot get affordable credit elsewhere
- Meet very-low-income limits set by USDA
- Be at least 62 years old to qualify for a grant
- Have a property located in a USDA-eligible rural area
2. VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers the SAH grant to help veterans with certain service-connected disabilities live more independently. Funds can be used to build, remodel, or purchase a home that accommodates mobility needs.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the SAH grant, applicants must:
- Have a qualifying service‑connected disability (e.g., loss of limbs, blindness, burns)
- Own or plan to own the home
- Not exceed the FY 2025 grant cap of $121,812
3. VA Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant
The VA’s SHA grant offers funding for veterans with specific disabilities who need more modest accessibility adaptations—like widening doorways or modifying bathrooms. It’s suitable for smaller-scale needs.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the SHA grant, applicants must:
- Have a qualifying service‑connected disability (e.g., loss of both hands, certain breath or burn injuries)
- Use the funds on a home owned by themselves or a family member
- Stay within the FY 2025 ceiling of $24,405
4. VA Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant
The VA also offers the TRA grant for veterans temporarily living in a family member’s home. It helps make that space safe and accessible during recovery or transition.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the TRA grant, applicants must:
- Qualify for either the SAH or SHA grant
- Be temporarily residing in a family member’s home (even if you don’t own it)
- Not exceed FY 2025 limits: up to $49,062 if SAH‑eligible, or $8,760 if SHA‑eligible
5. FEMA Financial Housing Assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial housing assistance after federally declared disasters. This program, part of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), offers funds for temporary housing, home repairs, or replacement costs.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for FEMA financial housing assistance, applicants must:
- Live in an area declared a federal disaster
- Have uninsured or underinsured damage to their home
- Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
6. FEMA Direct Housing Assistance
When financial aid isn’t enough, FEMA may provide direct housing assistance. This can include temporary housing units, leased rental properties, or repairs to make a home livable again
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for FEMA direct housing assistance, applicants must:
- Live in a disaster-declared area
- Have damage that makes the home unsafe or uninhabitable
- Lack other housing options that meet their needs
7. FEMA Personal Property Assistance
FEMA’s personal property assistance helps replace essential household items after a disaster. For home improvement, this may include appliances or equipment needed to make a home safe and functional again.
This assistance falls under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program, which also covers non–home-improvement costs. For example, ONA can help with medical expenses, childcare, transportation, or tools needed for work.
Homeowners should check eligibility for these added benefits while applying.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for FEMA other needs assistance, applicants must:
- Live in an area declared a federal disaster
- Have necessary expenses or serious needs directly caused by the disaster
- Show that the costs are not covered by insurance or other forms of assistance
8. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federal program that helps low-income households afford home energy costs. Awards are often used to cover overdue heating or cooling bills, preventing shutoffs that could put families at risk. On average, a household grant is about $225, though amounts vary by state.
Eligibility requirements
To be considered eligible for LIHEAP, applicants must:
- Be responsible for paying home energy bills
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen
- Have income below 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the state’s median income
- Fall into a priority group, such as older adults, people with disabilities, or families with young children
- Apply through a local or state LIHEAP agency. A nationwide office locator is available here.
9. Weatherization Assistance Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps households cut energy costs by improving home efficiency.
Typical upgrades include adding insulation, sealing leaks, and repairing or replacing heating and cooling systems. These improvements reduce bills while making homes safer and healthier.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for WAP, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien
- Have household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or already receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Apply through a local weatherization agency; state directories are available through the Department of Energy’s website
States may also prioritize applicants who are older, have young children, live with a disability, or face especially high energy costs. Both renters and homeowners are eligible to apply.
10. Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program provides funding to local agencies that support low-income households. While it doesn’t fund home repairs directly, some agencies use CSBG dollars for housing support or small home improvement projects.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify, applicants must meet income thresholds set by the local agency. Since programs vary by location, the best route is to contact the Community Action Association (CAA) in your area.
You can find the right office through the Administration for Children and Families’ directory of state and regional CAA contacts.
You likely need to fit very specific guidelines to qualify [for a government home improvement grant] and ensure that you dot every i and cross every t to avoid your application being rejected.
Finding and applying for state or local funding
In addition to federal programs, many states, counties, and cities offer their own home repair or improvement grants. These may be managed through housing departments, local development agencies, or nonprofit organizations.
To find opportunities, start with your state’s website or local government’s website. You can also check community action agencies and nonprofit housing groups. Always confirm eligibility details and watch out for scams—legitimate programs will never ask for upfront fees.
Here are a few examples of state and local home improvement programs you could consider:
- Arizona: Maricopa County Emergency Home Repair Program
- California: Chino Hills Home Improvement Grant
- Florida: My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) Program
- New York: Targeted Home Improvement Program (T-HIP)
Certified financial planners could assist on some level in helping clients apply for these types of grants. Usually in the form of providing the financial information needed for the applications and potentially in searching out options that may work for them. This is not an area we specialize in, though, so we might also help them find a group within the federal or state government or potentially non-profit groups that assist individuals with these types of grants.
Other ways to finance home improvements
Government grants aren’t the only option for covering repair or renovation costs. Many homeowners turn to private financing for flexibility or larger projects.
- Home equity loans and HELOCs: Borrow against the value of your home, often at lower rates than unsecured loans. Home equity financing can be a good choice for major remodels or repairs.
- No-equity loans: Some lenders offer home improvement loans even if you don’t have equity, making them an option for newer homeowners.
- Renovation loans: Programs like RenoFi’s renovation loans allow borrowing based on your home’s after-renovation value, which can expand your budget for big projects.
These financing tools can be a better fit than grants when speed, flexibility, or larger funding amounts are needed.
Choosing the best home improvement funding option
Start by checking whether you qualify for programs like the USDA Section 504 grant, since government aid doesn’t require repayment. If not, explore state or local options, then consider private financing such as home equity loans, personal loans, or renovation loans.
Check out our recommendations for top lenders to get started:
Comparing eligibility, costs, and flexibility will help you choose the best mix of funding for your project.