What Is a Home Improvement Grant?

Uses

• The money obtained from federal grant programs may be used to carry out necessary repair and maintenance of your home. Home improvement grants may also be used to improve your property's health and safety. The amount of repair you can do depends on the home improvement grant for which you apply.
  
  

Grants, Not Loans

• Many people consider grants as federal loans that are to be repaid at a lower to no interest rate. The fact is that grant money does not have to be repaid. Again, it is necessary that you use the grant money for home improvement only. You may also be required to stay in your property for a certain number of years after receiving the grant money.
  
  

Criteria

• You must be at least 18 years of age and a legal U.S. citizen or resident to qualify for federal home improvement grants.
  
  

Finding a Grant

• Grants.gov is a good place to look for home improvement grants. The HUD website also offers information on different types of home improvement grants. You can access the website at http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD.
  
  

Application

• A detailed application is sent to the relevant grant-awarding authority. At present, there are 26 such federal grant-awarding bodies throughout the United States. You must give your reasons for needing the grant. Be sure to attach all necessary documentations as evidence.