Homes require modifications to cater to seniors’ safety and evolving needs. However, the financial burden of these home repairs can be daunting for seniors, especially those with fixed incomes. Fortunately, several home repair assistance services for seniors have emerged. From loan programs to government grants, several home repair assistance programs help seniors address home repair issues. Having some insight into home repair assistance programs can be beneficial for urgent repair requirements and planning future modifications.

Benefits
Home repair assistance programs for seniors offer the following benefits:

• They help seniors live in their homes for as long as possible.
• They help make the older adult’s home safer and more accessible.
• These programs help prevent accidents and reduce fall risks.
• The programs aim to improve independence for seniors.
• The home repair updates aim to reduce energy usage, lowering utility bills.

Source of home repair assistance for seniors
Here are some of the top home repair assistance for seniors:

1. Area Agency on Aging
One can connect with the county’s Area Agency on Aging and inquire about the home repair and modification funds under the Older Americans Act. Local government programs may also offer grants. So, check with the county or city housing or community development department.

2. Rebuilding Together
It is a national NPO that assists with home modifications and repairs. Its objective is to ensure and promote independence, safety, and health.

3. Low-Income Home Energy Update Assistance Programs
It assists low-income households with energy crises, weatherization, paying for cooling and heating energy costs, and energy-related home repairs.

• Weatherization Assistance Programs offer financial assistance to update homes and make them weatherized and more energy-efficient.
• Some contractors offer the seniors home modifications at a sliding scale and a reduced fee. However, this depends on seniors’ income. So, when booking a contractor, check if this option is available.

4. US Department of Agriculture
Under the Section 504 Home Repair Program, older adults with low incomes get grants to fix safety hazards and their health. The program also offers loans to low-income homeowners to modernize, repair, and improve their homes.

Insurance
A few long-term care insurance policies cater to home modifications. Read the policy terms for more details.

Medicaid and Medicare
These do not pay for home modifications. However, Medicaid and Medicare can pay for the medical equipment with a doctor’s prescription. It comprises a toilet safety frame, wheelchair, bath transfer bench, walker, and hospital bed. One can speak to a doctor to know if they can employ durable medical equipment to boost their health and safety at home.

Types of home repair grants
Here are some of the top home repair grants for seniors:

1. US Department of Agriculture Single Family Housing Repair Grants
Here is what one needs to know about this grant:

• It is called the Section 504 Home Repair Program.
• The program offers loans to low-income and elderly homeowners.
• The objective is to support rural development.
• Seniors aged 62 or older can employ the money to address safety and health concerns in the home.

2. VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant
Here is what one needs to know about this grant:

• The program offers grants for service members and veterans with service-related disabilities.
• It helps them remodel, build, or buy an adapted home that caters to their physical needs.
• The repairs include widening doorways, installing ramps, and making other amends to support independent living.

3. Housing Improvement Program
Here is what one needs to know about this grant:

• It helps members of federally recognized tribes conduct home repair and improvement.
• The program helps improve the homeowner’s dwelling condition to meet building code standards.

4. Federal Emergency Management Agency Grants
Here is what one needs to know about this grant:

• Under FEMA, the Individuals and Housing Program offers home repair grants to victims of presidentially declared natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes.
• It covers both underinsured and uninsured victims.
• One will qualify only after a FEMA inspection.
• To qualify, the property must be classified as uninhabitable.

5. Home Investment Partnerships Program
Here is what one needs to know about this grant:

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development funds this grant program.
• It helps low-income people rehabilitate their homes.
• One can qualify if the post-rehabilitation value is not more than 95 percent of the median purchase price for a single-home family in the area.

6. HUD Community Development Block Grant Program
Here is what one needs to know about this grant:

• It offers grants to cities, countries, and states.
• The program helps offer housing and covers home repair costs for moderate and low-income people.
• Only towns and non-entitlement cities with <50,000 residents or jurisdictions with a population of <200,000 can apply.

Eligibility for home repair assistance programs
The eligibility requirements are usually different. Broadly, the eligibility depends on one’s age, the type of property one owns, income, and the location of the property.

Further, some programs are custom-designed for special groups, such as rural residents, service members and veterans, and Native Americans.