If you’re a low-income New Hampshire homeowner struggling with safety hazards, structural damage, or accessibility barriers, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. The state offers multiple grant and loan programs designed to help you repair critical issues—from roof replacements to wheelchair ramps—often at little to no cost. Understanding which programs you qualify for and what they cover can unfasten thousands in assistance. Here’s what you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire offers home repair grants for low-income homeowners addressing safety, health, and accessibility issues.
- Eligibility requires income below 60% of HUD Area Median Income, homeownership, occupancy, and active insurance.
- Covered repairs include roofs, windows, doors, bathroom modifications, and energy efficiency upgrades.
- NHSaves provides up to $6,000 rebates for energy-efficient improvements like insulation and HVAC systems.
- Apply via online inquiry; local agencies verify eligibility and assist through repair scheduling.
Understanding New Hampshire Home Repair Grants
New Hampshire offers several home repair grant and loan programs designed to help low-income homeowners address critical safety, health, and accessibility issues.
You qualify if your household income is at or below 80% of Merrimack County’s median income and you own and occupy the home needing repairs, like roofs, ramps, or structural fixes.
The Existing Home Repair Program provides grant funding for these essentials through local partnerships that verify need.
Submit an inquiry for assessment, then sign a CHR Agreement to start.
Meet homeowner responsibilities by preparing your site and contributing sweat equity alongside volunteers.
Who Qualifies for NH Home Repair Grants
You qualify for NH home repair grants if you reside in the program’s service area, own and occupy the home needing repairs, and maintain active homeowners insurance. Eligibility criteria demand your household income falls below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) per HUD guidelines, proving financial need. You must demonstrate inability to afford repairs due to age, disability, or similar circumstances. Programs stress homeowner responsibilities, requiring your sweat equity contribution, adjusted to your abilities.[99 words]
Types of Repairs Covered
NH home repair grants cover essential fixes like roof replacements, window and door replacements, and bathroom safety modifications to keep your housing safe and decent. You’ll get support for structural and finishing repairs to walls, stairs, ceilings, and floors, ensuring your home’s integrity. Energy efficiency upgrades, such as insulation installation, help you cut energy costs. Install safety features like grab bars, rails, and non-skid strips to boost accessibility and minimize hazards. These bathroom modifications and other repairs require your home to be owner-occupied, insured, and your income to meet financial need criteria.[99 words]
NHSaves Energy-Efficient Repairs
You can access substantial rebates through NHSaves to cover energy-efficient upgrades like heat pumps, air conditioners, thermostats, and whole-home weatherization improvements.
The program provides up to $6,000 in rebates for comprehensive home energy performance projects, plus additional federal tax credits up to $3,200 annually through the Inflation Reduction Act.
To get started, you’ll need to verify your eligibility as a residential customer of a participating New Hampshire utility and submit your rebate application within the specified timeframe after installation.
NHSaves Program Incentives
- Insulation upgrades seal drafts, cutting heating bills by 20-30%.
- Efficient heating systems like heat pumps reduce emissions while qualifying for up to $1,500.
- ENERGY STAR appliances deliver lifetime energy savings, with instant rebates at purchase.
Eligible Energy Efficiency Improvements
The NHSaves Program covers a broad range of energy efficiency improvements designed to lower your utility bills and improve home comfort.
Heating and cooling upgrades qualify for substantial rebates, including air-source heat pumps (up to $250 per ton for customers switching from oil, natural gas, or propane systems), central air conditioners ($70 per ton), ductless heat pumps, and Wi-Fi thermostats ($85 per unit).
Weatherization and insulation work—encompassing air sealing, duct sealing, and above-code windows and doors—can reduce heating costs by 20-30% and qualify for up to $6,000 in rebates through the Home Energy Performance program.
Appliance upgrades extend to ENERGY STAR-certified clothes washers (up to $50), dryers (up to $200), pool pumps (up to $350), and room air purifiers (up to $40).
Water heating equipment, lighting and controls, refrigeration systems, and variable frequency drives also qualify for incentives.
Start with an energy audit to identify insulation options and maximize your rebates.
Income Limits and Financial Rules
- Demonstrating inability to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
- Maintaining current mortgage payments, property taxes, and active homeowners insurance
- Limiting liquid assets, excluding retirement funds, to specific amounts
These criteria guarantee support reaches families genuinely needing essential repairs while maintaining program integrity and responsible fund allocation.
How to Apply for Assistance
Homeowners apply for New Hampshire home repair assistance by submitting an online inquiry with your contact information and specific repairs needed. A Habitat representative then conducts a walk-through assessment to determine eligibility criteria and discuss solutions. Next, you complete the CHR application process with required documents proving financial need and homeownership in the service area. This includes a repair assessment to confirm qualifications and design a repair plan. Once approved, you accept the CHR Agreement to schedule your project.[99 words]
Get Referred by Local Partners
Contact local referring agencies like Families First, Goodwin Community Health, and Rockingham Community Action to start your home repair assistance in New Hampshire—they’ll refer you rather than accepting direct requests.
Local agency roles confirm you’re eligible by verifying financial need and property criteria. You’ll work with them on the referral process, which directs aid to qualified homeowners.
- Verify your income and home ownership through agency assessment.
- Complete the application with their tailored support.
- Get approved for grants focusing on safety, health, and accessibility.
This process guarantees precise, need-based help without direct applications.
Approval Timeline and Next Steps
After your local agency approves the referral, expect an initial inquiry and walk-through assessment that takes a few weeks, depending on request volume. Submit your completed application promptly to kick off the approval process. You’ll get a repair assessment to confirm qualifications within 4-6 weeks, with updates throughout.
Here’s a breakdown of timeline expectations:
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Initial Inquiry/Walk-Through | Few weeks |
| Application Review | 4-6 weeks |
| Approval Notice | Upon qualification |
| Repair Scheduling | Based on volunteers/funding |
| Repairs Complete | Per availability |
Once approved, repairs depend on volunteer availability and funding.[99 words]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use a Grant to Repair a Rental Property I Own but Don’t Live In?
You can’t use most New Hampshire grants for rental properties you don’t occupy. Owner-occupied homes qualify for grants, but investor-owned rentals typically require loans instead. Check your property’s eligibility restrictions carefully.
What Happens if My Home Repairs Exceed the Grant’s Maximum Funding Amount?
You can combine loans and grants for up to $50,000 in total assistance. When exceeding budget, you’ll secure additional funding through a USDA loan alongside your grant, accessing more comprehensive repairs within the program’s combined limits.
Are There Penalties if I Sell My Home Shortly After Receiving Repair Assistance?
If you’re receiving a USDA Section 504 grant, you’ll need to repay it if you sell within three years, affecting your home’s resale implications and net proceeds.
Can I Choose My Own Contractor, or Must I Use an Approved Provider?
Based on the search results, contractor selection procedures vary by program. In some New Hampshire home repair programs, you can choose from an approved providers list or the program selects contractors for you. Specific contractor selection rules depend on your particular program.
What Documentation Do I Need to Prove I Cannot Afford Repairs Independently?
You’ll need to provide income verification documents—like recent pay stubs or benefit statements—and repair estimates showing costs you can’t afford. You must also demonstrate you’ve been denied affordable credit elsewhere.
Conclusion
You qualify for New Hampshire home repair grants if you’re a low-income homeowner—typically at or below 60% of area median income—facing safety or accessibility issues. Apply through local partners like Habitat for Humanity; you’ll get up to $10,000 in grants or $40,000 in 1% loans for repairs like roofs or ramps. Notably, loans and grants combine for up to $50,000, empowering thousands to stay safely in their homes. Start with a referral today—you’ve got this. (68 words)