You can repair your home without draining your savings. Illinois offers substantial grants, up to $60,000, specifically designed for homeowners facing COVID-related financial hardship.
Whether you’re dealing with a leaky roof, faulty wiring, or accessibility challenges, these programs cover critical repairs that most homeowners can’t afford. But here’s what you need to know before applying.
Key Takeaways
- HAFHR grants up to $60,000 for critical home repairs like roofing and plumbing.
- Eligibility requires income ≤150% AMI, COVID hardship after January 21, 2020.
- Property must be owner-occupied primary residence, no reverse mortgages or trusts.
- 3-year forgivable recapture agreement applies to grants.
- Apply via local IHDA grantees or USDA offices on first-come basis.
Top Illinois Home Repair Grants in 2026
Eligible repairs cover a wide range of critical needs, including fixing health, safety, and code issues; roofing, gutters, and drainage problems; electrical and plumbing systems; foundations, decks, and porches; accessibility upgrades for elderly or disabled residents; and environmental improvements.
You’re eligible for top 2026 grants like HAFHR—up to $60,000 forgivable aid if your income’s ≤150% AMI and you’ve faced COVID hardship post-January 2020.
Apply via grantees for HRAP Round 2 health/safety fixes, Section 504’s $40,000 loans/$10,000 grants, or SCP community revitalization.
Boost community outreach through local partners; integrate financial planning to stay in your home.
Act now—funds are limited till 2026.
HAFHR Program Basics
You can receive grants up to $60,000 to address critical home repairs if you’ve experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and meet the program’s core eligibility requirements.
To qualify, your household income must fall at or below 150% of the area median income, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence, and you need to certify a financial hardship that occurred after January 21, 2020, which may include qualifying for other healthcare aid and housing services.
Once you receive your grant, you’ll enter into a three-year forgivable recapture agreement, which guarantees the funds support necessary repairs that maintain your home’s habitability and prevent displacement.
Core Eligibility Rules
| Eligibility Criterion | Requirement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Hardship | COVID-19 related | After Jan. 21, 2020 |
| Income Limit | ≤ 150% AMI | By household size |
| Property Ownership | Primary residence | Owner-occupied |
| Mortgage Status | Current or none | No delinquencies |
| Exclusions | Reverse mortgages, trusts | Ineligible models |
Secure up to $60,000 in home repair grants for program benefits like health/safety fixes.
Grant Amount Details
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR) delivers grants up to $60,000 per household, a vital resource for eligible ex-felons to cover essential repairs that safeguard your home’s health, safety, and habitability amid COVID-19 hardships.
Your grant application qualifies you for critical repairs addressing electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or structural deficiencies, costs that cannot be covered by other assistance, like education grants.
The funding timeline operates through a 3-year forgivable recapture agreement, meaning you won’t repay the grant if you maintain ownership during this period.
Minimum grant awards start at $5,000, ensuring accessible assistance across varying repair needs.
This substantial funding empowers Illinois homeowners to address long-delayed maintenance issues comprehensively.
Who Qualifies for HAFHR?
To qualify for the HAFHR program, you must certify financial hardship due to COVID-19 after January 21, 2020, and guarantee your household income stays at or below 150% of the area median income (AMI) based on family size.
Your property qualifies only if you own and occupy it as your primary residence, you’re current on mortgage payments (or have none required), and it needs critical repairs for health, safety, or code violations—while avoiding ineligible setups like reverse mortgages or trusts.
Check these property requirements precisely to confirm your eligibility and secure up to $60,000 in assistance.
Income Limits
Income limits determine who qualifies for HAFHR, with household income capped at 150% of the area median income (AMI) based on your family size.
For example, if your area’s AMI for four people is $100,000, you’d need to earn no more than $150,000 annually.
Income eligibility requirements consider your entire household’s earnings, making financial documentation essential during the application process.
You’ll need to provide proof of income to verify qualification.
This income threshold guarantees assistance reaches homeowners who genuinely need support.
Meeting this requirement is fundamental—exceeding the limit disqualifies you from the program entirely.
Financial Hardship
Financial hardship certification drives HAFHR eligibility, so you’ll qualify if you certify experiencing one after January 21, 2020, tied directly to the COVID-19 pandemic—alongside keeping your household income at or below 150% of the area median income (AMI) for your family size.
You don’t need current mortgage payments; certify your hardship to access this financial assistance for critical health and safety repairs.
Own and occupy your Illinois property as your primary residence—reverse mortgages and trusts don’t qualify.
This homeowner support combats housing insecurity, delivering targeted grants without redundancy to past aid recipients.
Property Requirements
Your property qualifies for HAFHR if you own and occupy it as your primary residence in fee simple title—you can’t hold it in a reverse mortgage, trust, home equity line of credit, or contract for deed.
Verify property eligibility through ownership verification like a recorded deed, recent mortgage statement, or property tax bill. You must be current on mortgage payments or have no mortgage requirement.
Eligible types include single-family homes, accessory dwelling units, 2-to-4-unit buildings (owner-occupied), condos, co-ops, and manufactured homes on owned land taxed as real estate—never investment properties.
Secure repairs for health, safety, and code issues only.
HAFHR Income Limits and Hardship Rules
To qualify for the HAFHR program, your household income must sit at or below 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI) based on family size—you’ll find specific limits like $96,200 for one person or $120,450 for four in the guidelines.
You’ll also need to demonstrate income verification through tax returns or pay stubs to establish eligibility.
Beyond income requirements, you must provide hardship documentation proving financial difficulties stemming from COVID-19 after January 21, 2020. This certification guarantees funds reach homeowners genuinely impacted by the pandemic.
The program prioritizes those whose critical repairs were delayed due to economic hardship, making your documented hardship essential for approval and accessing up to $60,000 in grant assistance.
Eligible Properties for HAFHR Grants
HAFHR grants cover repairs on eligible properties that you own and occupy as your primary residence, including single-family homes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), 2-to-4-unit buildings (owner-occupied units and common areas), condominiums, cooperatives, and manufactured homes on permanent foundations where you own the land and it’s taxed as real estate.
Your property must be held in fee simple title—not through reverse mortgages, trusts, or contracts for deed.
During the HAFHR application process, you’ll need to document critical health and safety issues requiring repair. Eligible repair types address mechanical, electrical, structural, and plumbing deficiencies that compromise your home’s integrity.
Properties must remain current on mortgage payments and maintain homeowners insurance throughout construction.
HAFHR Ownership Disqualifiers
If you have a reverse mortgage, you don’t qualify for the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR), as these ownership models fall outside the program’s strict criteria.
Likewise, if your property is held in a trust, you’re excluded, since HAFHR requires you to own and occupy it as your primary residence in fee simple title.
Check your mortgage status and title now to confirm eligibility and avoid disappointment.
Reverse Mortgages Disqualified
Homeowners with reverse mortgages can’t apply for the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR), as these properties face ineligibility due to ownership disqualifiers.
If you’ve secured a reverse mortgage, you’re automatically excluded from HAFHR assistance, regardless of your financial hardship or repair needs.
Properties held in trust likewise disqualify applicants, as the program requires fee simple title ownership.
This restriction means you’ll need to investigate reverse mortgage implications and homeowner assistance alternatives elsewhere.
Consider contacting local housing agencies or HUD-approved counselors who can identify programs specifically designed for reverse mortgage holders experiencing financial difficulties or home maintenance challenges.
Trust Ownership Excluded
Properties held in trust automatically disqualify you from HAFHR assistance. Understanding trust ownership eligibility criteria is essential for determining your program qualification. The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program maintains strict ownership requirements to guarantee funds reach eligible households.
Ineligible ownership structures include:
- Properties held in trust or under trust arrangements
- Reverse mortgages on your primary residence
- Home equity lines of credit as ownership models
- Contracts for deed arrangements
- Investment properties or non-primary residences
You must own the property outright in fee simple title and occupy it as your primary residence to qualify.
These eligibility criteria guarantee program resources support homeowners with direct property ownership. If your property’s title structure includes any trust arrangement, you won’t meet HAFHR’s ownership requirements, regardless of financial hardship or income qualifications.
What Repairs Does HAFHR Cover?
Since the HAFHR addresses home maintenance needs delayed by COVID-19 financial hardships, you’ll find the program covers a comprehensive range of essential repairs important to keeping your home safe and habitable.
You can tackle repair types like roofing, soffit/fascia/gutters, drainage, electrical systems, plumbing systems, foundations, decks, porches, and accessibility modifications for elderly or disabled individuals.
It targets health, safety, code violations, and other crucial needs up to a $60,000 per-unit limit, ensuring habitability and preventing displacement if you meet eligibility criteria.
Act now—funds are limited.
HAFHR Grant Amounts and Recapture Rules
You can receive up to $60,000 in grants through HAFHR to cover critical home repairs, with the funds structured as a forgivable loan that you won’t need to repay if you maintain the property for three years.
The program covers essential health and safety repairs—including roofing, electrical and plumbing systems, code violations, and accessibility modifications—without charging interest on the awarded amount.
Your eligibility depends on household income not exceeding 150% of the area median income and your ability to document financial hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic after January 21, 2020.
Maximum Award Limits
- Certify COVID-19 financial hardship after January 21, 2020.
- Guarantee household income stays at or below 150% area median income.
- Target habitability repairs like roofing, electrical, plumbing, foundations.
- Note limited funds may exclude some eligible households.
- Act now—awards go to selected grantees first.
Forgivable Recapture Agreement Terms
When you receive an Illinois HAFHR grant of up to $60,000 for critical home repairs, you’re accepting a 3-year forgivable recapture agreement that protects the state’s investment in your property.
The grant forgives at a rate of 1/36th monthly, meaning your obligation decreases proportionally each month you remain compliant. You’ll owe nothing if you maintain primary residence status throughout the three-year term.
However, selling, transferring, or refinancing triggers repayment of the unforgiven balance from net proceeds. This property compliance requirement guarantees accountability while rewarding homeowners who keep their commitment to their homes.
Eligible Repair Coverage
- Roofing, soffit/fascia/gutters, and drainage management
- Electrical and plumbing systems
- Foundations, decks, and porches
- Accessibility modifications for aging in place
- Environmental and essential home-specific fixes
Act now—funds are first-come, first-served until September 30, 2026.
HRAP for Low-Income Repairs
The Home Repair and Accessibility Program (HRAP) assists low- and very low-income homeowners like you with critical health and safety repairs, accessibility modifications, and roof work to preserve affordable housing and improve your well-being.
You qualify if your household income is at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI)—with priority for those at or below 50% AMI—and you own-occupy a single-family home meeting property value limits and lien requirements.
Check HRAP benefits: up to $50,000 grants for hazards, ramps, or roofs, forgivable over 3-5 years.
Apply through local grantees now, as waitlists form due to high demand and limited funding.
USDA Section 504 Loans and Grants
- Combine loans and grants for up to $50,000 ($55,000 in disaster areas).
- Access grants if you’re 62+ to eliminate health/safety hazards.
- Enjoy 1% fixed-rate, 20-year loans.
- Apply year-round via local Rural Development offices—Loan Application accepts prequalification.
- Target repairs like roofs, wiring, ramps—not cosmetics.
Act now for safe, modern living.
Steps to Apply for Illinois Repair Aid
Verify your eligibility for Illinois home repair aid first—you’ll need household income at or below 150% of the area median income (AMI), ownership of an eligible rural home, and, for grants, age 62 or older.
Contact your local Rural Development office with required documentation, including Form RD 3550-35 and Form RD 3550-1. Though prequalification isn’t mandatory, it’s advisable to determine program fit before formal application.
Submit your completed application tips through your local RD office year-round. Remember your eligibility checklist: proof of income, property ownership documentation, and citizenship status.
Given limited funding, applications operate first-come, first-served, so don’t delay.
Key Documents for HAFHR Applications
Since the HAFHR program requires extensive documentation to verify your financial situation and property eligibility, you’ll want to gather these materials before submitting your application.
The required documentation strengthens your application process and demonstrates your qualification for assistance.
- Proof of homeownership, such as a deed or mortgage statement
- Financial hardship certification form detailing COVID-19 impacts after January 21, 2020
- Income documentation showing earnings at or below 150% of area median income
- Evidence of primary residence occupancy, including utility bills or lease agreements
- Detailed repair list with estimated costs and current mortgage payment status
Organizing these documents beforehand streamlines your application and accelerates review timelines.
Common Reasons You’re Ineligible
Even if you meet most criteria, you’ll face ineligibility if your household income exceeds 150% of the area median income (AMI), your property involves a reverse mortgage or trust ownership, or you can’t certify financial hardship from COVID-19 after January 21, 2020.
Additional common disqualifying factors include mortgage delinquency—you must remain current on payments.
Rental properties and secondary residences also create eligibility challenges since you’re required to own and occupy the home as your primary residence.
Understanding these eligibility challenges prevents wasted application effort and helps you determine whether alternative repair programs better suit your circumstances.
Beyond HAFHR: Other Illinois Options
- Access Section 504 low-interest loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income safety repairs.
- Apply for HRAP Round 2 grants targeting low-income health and safety fixes via local grantees.
- Tap SCP grants for municipalities rehabilitating vacant properties into affordable homes.
- Utilize Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund for land bank capacity building.
- Use HUD’s Title 1 loans for remodeling, checking local eligibility.
Find Local Grantees Near You
How do you locate local grantees for Illinois home repair grants?
Visit the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) website to access their directory of program administrators, including those for HRAP and HAFHR. Then contact the grantee serving your area to apply directly.
You’ll tap into local grant resources via this network; grantees handle applications, but expect waitlists, so act fast through community outreach.
Verify income eligibility and property limits with them—they set criteria.
For rural aid, reach local USDA Rural Development offices to pinpoint options and start your process efficiently.
State-by-State Home Repair Grants: Eligibility, Benefits & Program Details
| Alabama | Alabama’s home repair grants help income-qualified homeowners fix critical issues like roofing, plumbing, or structural damage. Funds are typically provided as grants (not loans) with specific income limits and must be used within state program guidelines. |
| Alaska | Alaska offers home repair grants for low-income residents and seniors to address essential repairs and weatherization. Grants are awarded based on financial need and the severity of needed repairs. |
| Arizona | Arizona’s home repair grant programs assist qualifying homeowners with major repairs like roofing, electrical, and accessibility upgrades. Income and home ownership criteria apply, and awards are usually direct grants to cover costs. |
| Arkansas | Arkansas home repair grants support low-income households with safety and critical infrastructure repairs. Funds are typically distributed through state or local nonprofits with eligibility tied to income and home condition. |
| California | California’s home repair grant programs focus on essential fixes for low-income homeowners, including roofing, ADA modifications, and health-hazard corrections. Grants are income-based and distributed through local agencies. |
| Colorado | Colorado offers home repair grants to eligible homeowners to make critical repairs, improve energy efficiency, or address safety issues. Funding is awarded based on income limits and property condition assessments. |
| Connecticut | Connecticut home repair grants help low-to-moderate income homeowners fix essential components like heating, roofing, or wiring. Grants are awarded after income verification and inspection of needed work. |
| Delaware | Delaware’s program provides home repair grants for low-income homeowners to address safety issues and structural repairs. Assistance is targeted to critical needs with income caps and household reviews. |
| Florida | Florida home repair grants assist qualifying households with major home repairs, hurricane-related damage, and code compliance issues. Grants are income-based and administered through state or local agencies. |
| Georgia | Georgia offers home repair grants for low-income residents facing critical repair needs including roofing and accessibility modifications. Qualification depends on income and documented home issues. |
| Hawaii | Hawaii’s home repair grants support low-income homeowners with repairs related to safety, weatherization, and structural integrity. Eligibility is based on income and housing condition. |
| Idaho | Idaho home repair grants help low-income families cover essential repairs to roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems. Grants are awarded after income verification and inspection. |
| Indiana | Indiana home repair grants assist low-to-moderate income owners with essential renovation needs. Funds are typically awarded to cover safety-related repairs after eligibility review. |
| Iowa | Iowa’s home repair grants help income-qualified homeowners fix structural, electrical, and safety issues. Grants are based on financial need and are often administered through nonprofit partners. |
| Kansas | Kansas offers home repair grants to help low-income households make necessary essential repairs like roofing and accessibility needs. Eligibility includes income limits and documented need assessments. |
| Kentucky | Kentucky home repair grants support low-income homeowners with essential repairs and safety improvements. Funds are awarded through state/local programs after income qualification. |
| Louisiana | Louisiana’s home repair grant programs provide funding to low-income homeowners for hurricane-related and essential safety repairs. Income limits and inspection requirements apply. |
| Maine | Maine home repair grants help qualifying homeowners with critical repairs like roofing, heating, and accessibility upgrades. Grants are income-based and require documentation of need. |
| Maryland | Maryland’s home repair grants target low-income residents needing essential upgrades or safety repairs. Programs require income verification and property assessments. |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts offers home repair grants to eligible low-income homeowners to address structural, safety, and accessibility issues. Grants are awarded based on need and inspection results. |
| Michigan | Michigan home repair grants help income-qualified owners cover essential repairs like roofing and electrical fixes. Assistance is provided through state/local programs after qualification. |
| Minnesota | Minnesota’s home repair grants support low-income homeowners with safety and structural repairs. Grants are income-based, and applicants must document needed repairs. |
| Mississippi | Mississippi home repair grants provide funding for essential repairs for low-income households with income verification and documented structural needs. |
| Missouri | Missouri offers home repair grants to help income-qualified homeowners address critical safety and structural issues. Funds are awarded based on need. |
| Montana | Montana home repair grants assist low-income owners with essential repairs, weatherization, and safety improvements. Grants depend on income limits and documented need. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska’s home repair grant programs support low-income homeowners with safety and structural repairs. Eligibility is income-based with documentation required. |
| Nevada | Nevada home repair grants provide funding for essential repairs to income-qualified homeowners, including roofing, plumbing, and safety corrections. |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire’s home repair programs help low-income residents make essential repairs. Grants are income-based and require a documented home need assessment. |
| New Jersey | New Jersey home repair grants assist eligible low-income homeowners with safety and structural repairs. Funds are provided through state and local grant programs. |
| New Mexico | New Mexico’s home repair grants help income-qualified homeowners make critical repairs including roofing, plumbing, and safety upgrades. |
| New York | New York offers home repair grants for low-income homeowners to fix safety and structural issues. Assistance is funded by state/local programs based on documented need. |
| North Carolina | North Carolina home repair grants provide funding for essential repairs to income-qualified homeowners. Grants are awarded based on need and income criteria. |
| North Dakota | North Dakota’s home repair grants assist qualifying homeowners with critical repairs, including weatherization and safety fixes, based on income limits. |
| Ohio | Ohio home repair grants support low-income homeowners with essential structural and safety repairs. Applicants must meet income and documentation criteria. |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma’s home repair programs provide grants to income-qualified homeowners for essential repairs and safety upgrades after need assessments. |
| Oregon | Oregon home repair grants help eligible homeowners address structural and safety issues. Grants are based on income and documented repair needs. |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania’s home repair grant programs assist low-income owners with safety, structural, and weatherization repairs after income qualification. |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island home repair grants fund essential structural and safety repairs for qualifying homeowners. Eligibility is income-based and needs documented. |
| South Carolina | South Carolina’s home repair grants assist low-income homeowners with safety and essential fixes like roofing and accessibility upgrades. |
| South Dakota | South Dakota home repair grants support qualifying homeowners with critical repairs. Grants are provided to cover safety and structural needs based on income. |
| Tennessee | Tennessee home repair grants help income-qualified households make essential repairs to roofs, plumbing, and safety systems after eligibility reviews. |
| Texas | Texas offers home repair grants for low-income homeowners to address essential repairs like roofing and safety upgrades. Funds are granted based on income and need. |
| Utah | Utah’s home repair programs provide grants to eligible homeowners for safety and structural repairs. Eligibility hinges on income limits and repair documentation. |
| Vermont | Vermont home repair grants assist low-income homeowners with critical repairs like roofing and weatherization. Programs apply income limits and require documented need before awarding funds. |
| Virginia | Virginia’s home repair grants help eligible homeowners fix essential safety and structural issues. Applicants must meet income guidelines and provide repair documentation. |
| Washington | Washington provides home repair grants for income-qualified owners to address essential safety fixes, weatherization, and structural repairs based on needs assessments. |
| West Virginia | West Virginia’s home repair grant programs assist qualifying homeowners with critical structural and safety repairs, using income and home condition criteria. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin home repair grants help low-income homeowners cover essential repairs like roofing, electrical, and safety upgrades following documented need evaluations. |
| Wyoming | Wyoming’s home repair grants assist eligible owners with critical repairs, weatherization, and safety fixes. Eligible recipients must meet income limits and need criteria. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do if You Can’t Afford House Repairs?
You can investigate several financial assistance and repair resources if you can’t afford house repairs. Contact your state housing authority about homeowner assistance programs, reach out to local nonprofits, examine USDA Rural Development offices, and research community stabilization partnerships for available support options tailored to your income level.
What Is the Homeowner Relief Program in Illinois?
Illinois’s homeowner relief programs offer you grants up to $60,000 for critical repairs if you’ve faced COVID-19 hardship and earn under 150% area median income, helping you maintain safe, habitable housing through designated community assistance grantees.
What Is the Home Repair and Remodeling Act in Illinois?
The Home Repair and Remodeling Act in Illinois requires you to get written contracts detailing work, timelines, costs, and a 3-day cancellation right. Check your home repair eligibility for remodeling assistance; you’ll need licensed, bonded contractors to protect against fraud.
How to Get Money to Make Home Repairs?
Apply for government assistance like Illinois HAFHR grants up to $60,000 if you’re below 150% AMI with COVID hardship post-1/21/20. Fill contact forms via grantees, submit income proof, insurance. Investigate home improvement loans too—you’ll qualify fast!
Conclusion
You’ve got a golden opportunity to transform your home before funding runs dry in 2026. Illinois’s HAFHR program puts up to $60,000 in your hands—no strings attached after three years. Don’t let critical repairs slip through the cracks; contact your local grantee today and reclaim your home’s safety and value while you can.