When your roof leaks and your budget doesn’t stretch far enough to fix it, you’re not alone—thousands of Massachusetts homeowners face the same gap between need and resources. The state offers multiple grant and loan programs designed to help you tackle essential repairs, accessibility upgrades, and safety hazards without draining your savings. But finding the right program for your situation requires understanding what each one covers and whether you qualify.
Key Takeaways
- Section 504 grants offer up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners aged 62+ to remove health and safety hazards.
- Eligibility requires rural location, very low income, home ownership, and inability to get credit elsewhere.
- Loans up to $40,000 at 1% interest over 20 years can combine with grants for $50,000 total.
- Grants limited to $15,000 in presidentially declared disaster areas.
- Contact local USDA Rural Development office to apply with income and ownership proof.
What Are Massachusetts Home Repair Grants?
Massachusetts offers multiple home repair programs designed to help low-income homeowners, seniors, and people with disabilities make critical repairs and modifications to their homes.
You access financial assistance through grants like the Section 504 Home Repair program, offering up to $10,000—or $15,000 in disaster areas—for home improvement addressing health and safety hazards, if you’re 62+ and earn below 80% AMI.
Combine grants with loans for up to $50,000 total ($55,000 in disasters). Programs like LeadSafe Boston provide $12,000 forgivable loans for lead mitigation in your owner-occupied home.
Section 504 Grants: Who Qualifies in MA?
To qualify for a Section 504 grant in Massachusetts, you’ll need to meet three core requirements: you must be 62 or older, your household income can’t exceed the very low-income limit** for your county, and your property must sit in a USDA-eligible rural area**.
You’re also required to own and occupy the home as your primary residence and demonstrate you can’t obtain affordable credit elsewhere.
Understanding these eligibility thresholds upfront helps you assess whether you’re a good fit for the program before investing time in the application process.
Income Limits
Three key requirements determine your eligibility for Section 504 grants in Massachusetts: you must be at least 62 years old, your household income can’t exceed 50% of the area median income for your county, and you must own and occupy the home as your primary residence. Verify exact limits via the USDA Eligibility Site, as they vary by county and household size—add 8% of the 4-person limit per extra member beyond 8.
| Household Size | Example Income Limit (Non-Specific Areas) |
|---|---|
| 1-4 | $119,850 |
| 5-8 | $158,250 |
| 9+ | Adjusted +8%/person |
Streamline income verification and household budgeting to prove you can’t get affordable credit elsewhere.
Age Requirements
Age eligibility serves as one of the primary gatekeepers for Section 504 grants in Massachusetts. You qualify as a senior homeowner if you’re 62 or older, targeting very-low-income owners in eligible rural areas. Prove you can’t secure affordable credit elsewhere, and you’ll access up to $10,000—rising to $15,000 in disaster zones—to eliminate health and safety hazards. You’ve got a lifetime cap at $10,000, but repay if you sell within three years. This age eligibility empowers you to age safely in place, repairing essentials without loans if you meet income limits.[99 words]
Rural Location
Since your home’s location determines eligibility for Massachusetts Section 504 grants, you’ll need to verify it falls within a designated rural area.
The USDA maintains an Income and Property Eligibility website where you can enter your specific address or review general eligible zones on an interactive map.
Rural housing in designated communities qualifies for this repair accessibility program, opening doors to critical funding.
Properties must meet USDA rural area standards—typically communities with populations under specific thresholds.
Confirming your location eligibility is straightforward and essential before proceeding with your application.
Once verified as rural-eligible, you’re positioned to access grants up to $10,000 if you’re 62 or older.
How Much Funding From Section 504?
Section 504 grants offer up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners aged 62 or older to remove health and safety hazards from their homes.
If you’re in a disaster area, you can access up to $15,000.
Check grant eligibility by confirming your county’s income limits and inability to get affordable credit elsewhere.
Combine loans and grants for up to $50,000 total—or $55,000 in disasters—to maximize funding amounts.
Repay grants only if you sell within three years.
This smart combo empowers you to repair fully and stay safe.
Step-by-Step MA Application Guide
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Gathering Required Documentation
| Document Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Income Verification | Confirm eligibility based on household earnings |
| Ownership Proof | Establish you’re the property owner-occupant |
| Age Documentation | Verify senior status for grant qualification |
Your document checklist guarantees nothing’s missed. Contact your local Rural Development office—they’ll guide you through income verification requirements and answer questions about missing paperwork. Preparing everything upfront accelerates processing and strengthens your application competitively.
Contacting Your Local Office
Contact your local USDA Rural Development office to kick off your Massachusetts home repair grant application—they accept submissions year-round at spots like the Amherst State Office at 451 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002 (call 413-253-4300).
Utilize local outreach for application support through informal prequalification, evaluating your income and credit for Section 504 loans or grants.
Verify eligibility on the USDA site first—ensure your rural property qualifies. If you’re 62+, highlight health/safety repairs for up to $10,000 ($15,000 in disaster zones).
Area offices in Hadley, Holden, and Wareham offer year-round help—call ahead.
Submitting Your Application
Once you’ve confirmed your property’s eligibility and gathered initial information through prequalification, you’ll need to compile the specific documentation required for your formal application.
Submit Form RD 3550-35 along with proof of income and homeownership to your local Rural Development office. Keep in mind that eligibility criteria vary—applicants must be at least 62 years old for grants, with income not exceeding very low limits.
Include documentation demonstrating your property’s rural location and the repairs needed. Application tips include organizing documents beforehand and clearly describing health and safety hazards.
Grants reach $10,000 standard or $15,000 in disaster areas. Work with your local office staff; they’ll guide you through remaining steps toward approval and funding.
Top Massachusetts Repair Loan Programs
Massachusetts offers top repair loan programs that empower you to fix and upgrade your home affordably.
Check loan eligibility criteria like income limits and disability needs for the Home Modification Loan Program‘s 0% loans up to $50,000 for ramps, bathrooms, and ADUs.
Investigate funding repayment options—deferred until sale—with MassHousing’s fixed loans ($7,500-$50,000) for improvements, Septic Repair’s 0-2.5% up to $25,000 over 15 years, Get the Lead Out for paint removal, and HomeWorks Green’s 0% deferred up to $70,000 for energy upgrades.
You’re set to act now.
Grants for Seniors, Vets, Disabilities
If you’re a senior, veteran, or person with disabilities, tap into targeted grants that eliminate repair costs for accessibility and safety.
Seniors aged 62+ can access Section 504 grants up to $10,000 for removing health hazards. Veterans with service-related disabilities qualify for the Specially Adapted Housing Program, offering up to $60,000 through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Massachusetts’s LeadSafe Boston program provides forgivable loans up to $12,000 for lead mitigation, while the Seniors Save program grants $8,000 for heating system replacements.
The Home Modification Loan Program offers low-income individuals up to $50,000 for accessibility improvements.
These senior housing and veteran assistance programs remove financial barriers to essential home modifications.
Your Local MA Repair Resources
Investigate local Massachusetts repair resources tailored to your town—you’ll find targeted aid like the Section 504 program offering loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners’ essential fixes.
The Home Modification Loan Program provides zero-interest loans up to $50,000 for accessibility improvements benefiting seniors and people with disabilities.
Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair Program uses volunteers and donated materials to address safety hazards for low-income households.
Additionally, the LeadSafe Boston program offers forgivable loans up to $12,000 for lead paint mitigation.
Contact your local municipality or community development office to examine repair assistance programs designed specifically for your area’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Money to Make Home Repairs?
Apply for home repair resources like Section 504 grants, HMLP loans up to $50,000, and Senior programs offering 0% loans. You’ll access financial assistance through Mass.gov, local trusts, and nonprofits—check eligibility and submit docs now.
What Is the Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund?
The Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund delivers homeowner benefits like financial assistance grants up to $50,000—you’ll cover mortgage delays, taxes, insurance if you’re under 150% AMI, COVID-hardship hit, and 90 days behind.
What Is the 504 Home Repair Program?
You access the 504 Program Overview through USDA Rural Development: get loans up to $40,000 at 1% for 20 years or grants up to $10,000 if you’re 62+ for repairs. Meet Eligibility Criteria: own/occupy rural home, very-low income, no other credit.
What Is the Massachusetts Cash Grant?
Unlock your college dreams with Massachusetts Cash Grant—you’ll get cash to cover fees and tuition beyond waivers. Meet eligibility requirements like MA residency, financial need, and undergrad enrollment at public schools.
Conclusion
You’re likely eligible for Massachusetts home repair grants if you’re a low-income homeowner, senior, or person with disabilities. The state’s diverse programs—from USDA grants up to $10,000 to the Home Modification Loan Program—help you tackle critical repairs affordably. With over a dozen accessible funding options available, you’ve got real opportunities to stabilize your home. Don’t let repair costs overwhelm you; investigate your local resources today and uncover which program fits your situation best.