You qualify for Montana’s Section 504 Home Repair program if you’re a very-low-income rural homeowner, offering up to $40,000 loans at 1% interest or $10,000 grants (if 62+) to fix health/safety hazards. Local options like Habitat for Humanity in Helena add support for essential repairs. Check your eligibility now—discover which program fits your needs and how to apply next.
Key Takeaways
- Section 504 program offers grants up to $10,000 for elderly homeowners (62+) to remove health and safety hazards.
- Maximum grant rises to $15,000 in presidentially declared disaster areas.
- Eligibility requires owning/occupying rural home, very-low income, and no affordable credit elsewhere.
- Park County provides 0% interest forgivable loans for owner-occupied homes at or below 80% AMI.
- Montana HAF aids up to 100% AMI households with repair costs tied to COVID-19 hardships.
Which Montana Home Repair Programs Are Available?
Three key Montana home repair programs stand ready to help you if you’re a very-low-income homeowner needing essential fixes.
The Section 504 Home Repair program delivers loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 (higher in disaster areas) for repairs, with eligibility under county very-low-income limits.
The Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund allocates up to $100,000 for repairs alongside mortgage and utility aid, capping income at 150% of Area Median Income.
Park County’s program provides 0% interest, forgivable loans from $40,000, forgiven over 15 years.
Check program benefits and start the application process via local RD offices or Rocky Mountain Development Council.
Do You Qualify? Income, Ownership, and Residency Requirements
Do you qualify for Montana home repair grants? You must own and occupy your home as your primary residence to meet homeowner eligibility. Your household income verification can’t exceed 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county. Prove you can’t secure affordable credit elsewhere. If you’re 62 or older, target grants removing health and safety hazards. Check eligible rural areas via the USDA Eligibility Site. Meet these criteria, and you’ll access essential repairs—act now to verify your status.[99 words]
What Repairs Are Covered and How Much Can You Get?
You can access grants to cover critical repairs that address health and safety hazards in your home, with assistance amounts varying based on your situation and location.
The types of repairs covered include essential systems like plumbing, electrical wiring, heating, and structural foundation work, along with energy conservation improvements.
Understanding the maximum assistance available and which specific repairs qualify will help you determine whether this program can meet your home’s needs.
Types of Repairs Covered
Montana home repair grants primarily cover essential fixes** like plumbing installation or repair, heating system repair or replacement, and electrical wiring repair or replacement to guarantee health and safety**.
You’ll find that grants focus on removing hazards rather than cosmetic upgrades. If you’re 62 or older and very-low-income, you can access up to $10,000 in grants for these critical improvements.
In presidentially declared disaster areas, you can receive up to $15,000. You can combine loans and grants to reach $50,000 in total assistance, giving you flexibility for larger projects.
These programs prioritize structural repairs, accessibility modifications, and systems that directly impact your home’s safety and livability.
Maximum Assistance Amounts
Section 504 Home Repair grants offer up to $10,000 for very-low-income elderly homeowners (62+) to eliminate health and safety hazards, rising to $15,000 in presidentially declared disaster areas. Check your grant eligibility through funding sources like USDA Rural Development, which also provides loans up to $40,000 for repairs, improvements, or modernization. Combine them for up to $50,000 total assistance—you’ll repay loans at 1% over 20 years, but grants are forgivable if you stay three years. Secure your home’s safety affordably; apply now to meet income and rural area rules.[99 words]
How Do You Apply for Montana Home Repair Assistance?
Contact your local Rural Development office to start the Montana Home Repair Assistance application process year-round.
Gather required documents like income verification, mortgage statements, and proof of residency, and complete forms RD 3550-35 and RD 3550-1.
Connect with a HUD-approved housing counselor to guarantee you’ve got everything ready for submission.
Contact Local Office
You’ll kick off the application process with forms RD 3550-35 and RD 3550-1; submit them anytime.
Prove you occupy the home, your household income’s very low for your county, and you can’t get affordable credit elsewhere.
If you’re 62+, grab grants up to $10,000 for health/safety fixes.
Combine loans (max $40,000) and grants for up to $50,000 total—or $15,000 grants in disaster zones—via these local resources.
Act now for essential repairs.
Gather Required Documents
| Document Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| IRS Form 1040 | Income verification |
| Mortgage statements | Financial obligation proof |
| Proof of residency | Property ownership confirmation |
| RD 3550 forms | Program application initiation |
Early submission secures funding on a first-come, first-served basis.
Submit Application Forms
To apply for Montana home repair assistance through the USDA Rural Development program, you’ll need to submit Form RD 3550-35 (Section 504 Home Repair Loan and Grant Program Intake Form) and Form RD 3550-1 (Authorization to Release Information) to your local Rural Development office.
The application process remains open year-round, giving you flexibility in timing your submission. While undergoing a prequalification process isn’t mandatory, it’s encouraged to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria before formally applying.
This preliminary step helps clarify whether the repair program suits your needs. Submit your completed forms along with your gathered documentation to begin the formal application review process.
What Documents Do You Need to Bring?
When you’re ready to apply for Montana home repair assistance, gathering the right documentation upfront can streamline your application and strengthen your case.
You’ll need current income verification, such as IRS Form 1040, paystubs, or profit/loss statements, to demonstrate your financial situation. Include mortgage statements and filed deeds of trust if seeking mortgage reinstatement assistance.
Provide proof of residency along with utility shutoff or late notices to document financial hardship and repair documentation. Submit contractor estimates detailing the work needed.
Consider consulting a HUD-approved housing counselor to verify your documents are properly prepared and complete before submitting your application.
What to Expect After Submitting Your Application
Once you’ve submitted your Montana home repair grant application, the review process typically takes several weeks, though the timeline varies based on funding availability and application volume in your area.
Stay responsive—the agency may request additional documentation or clarification to expedite your application timeline. Prompt replies prevent unnecessary delays.
Upon approval, you’ll receive grant notification detailing your award amount and allowable repair types. Importantly, approved funds disburse directly to your selected contractors, not to you.
Since funding is limited, applying early maximizes your chances of securing assistance before resources deplete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Money to Make Home Repairs?
Apply for USDA Section 504 loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 for home improvement. You qualify if you’re very low-income, own your rural home, and can’t get credit elsewhere. Contact your local RD office for financial assistance now.(35 words)
What Is the 504 Home Repair Program?
Like a lifeline for your weary home, the 504 Home Repair Program delivers 504 program benefits—loans up to $40,000 at 1% interest, grants to $10,000. Meet eligibility requirements: you’re very low-income, own/occupy a rural home, can’t get credit elsewhere; grants if you’re 62+.
What Is the Montana Assistance Program?
You access Montana programs like the Homeowner Assistance Fund for financial assistance up to $100,000 in grants. Cover past-due mortgage, taxes, utilities, and critical repairs if your income’s below 150% AMI.
What to Do if You Can’t Afford to Fix Your House?
Seek financial aid like Section 504 loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 for home maintenance. Apply via USDA Rural Development, check Montana programs, and contact a HUD counselor—you’ll get free help to repair safely.
Conclusion
I need to clarify that the background information provided contains inaccurate details that don’t match the search results. Montana home repair grants have specific limits, not $100,000 as stated.
Based on the search results, here’s an accurate 75-word summary:
You’re not alone in facing home repair challenges—Montana’s repair programs can be your financial lifeline. Whether you’re applying through USDA Rural Development (up to $50,000 combined) or local initiatives like Habitat for Humanity, these opportunities exist to transform your living space. Start by contacting your local Rural Development office or community housing program today. With proper documentation and eligible repair needs, you’ll navigate the path toward a safer, more stable home. Your next step awaits.