If you’re a West Virginia homeowner struggling with necessary repairs, including ex-felons and people with disabilities, you don’t have to tackle them alone. Several grant programs can help you address safety hazards and improve your home’s livability without breaking the bank.
From federal USDA assistance to state-funded initiatives, funding options exist—but eligibility requirements matter significantly for ex-felons and people with disabilities, and understanding which program fits your situation makes all the difference.
Key Takeaways
- USDA Section 504 offers grants up to $10,000 ($15,000 in disasters) for homeowners 62+ in rural West Virginia.
- Eligibility requires income below 50% area median, primary residence ownership, and inability to get credit elsewhere.
- Grants fund health/safety hazards like roofing, ramps, and electrical fixes; repay if sold within 3 years.
- Loans up to $40,000 at 1% interest over 20 years; combinable with grants to $50,000+.
- Contact local USDA Rural Development office; West Virginia Homeowners Rescue closed to new applications.[BACKGROUND]
What Home Repair Grants Are Available in West Virginia?
Several home repair and dental grants stand in West Virginia.
The USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program offers up to $10,000 in grants (or $15,000 in disaster areas) for low income people in rural areas to remove health and safety hazards, with loans up to $40,000 available.
The West Virginia Homeowners Rescue Program, now closed to new applications, previously provided critical repair assistance.
The SHPO Tax Credits program delivers a 20% state income tax credit for certified historic property rehabilitation.
Additionally, ASP Home Repairs serves income-eligible households in Central Appalachia, offering repair assistance and new construction.
These funding resources address diverse home improvement needs across the state’s communities.
Who Qualifies for Section 504 Grants?
To qualify for a Section 504 grant, you must be at least 62 years old, own and occupy your home as your primary residence, and have a household income below 50% of the area median income.
You’ll also need to demonstrate that you’re unable to repay a loan. The program focuses exclusively on removing health and safety hazards from your dwelling.
For income verification and applicant documentation, you’ll need to provide proof of ownership, occupancy details, and financial records to your local USDA Rural Development office.
Grants reach up to $7,500 and don’t require repayment if you meet all eligibility criteria.
What Repairs and Improvements Are Covered?
You can use West Virginia home repair grants and housing services to address health and safety hazards like faulty plumbing, electrical issues, and structural problems that threaten your home’s livability, while also supporting access to basic healthcare assistance.
If you have disabilities, you’re eligible for accessibility improvements such as wheelchair ramps and other modifications that remove barriers to independent living, often coordinated through local housing services and healthcare assistance programs.
These grants cover essential structural repairs necessary to maintain safe living conditions and comply with local codes, and you’ll receive up to $10,000 (or $15,000 in disaster areas) when you submit detailed cost estimates from licensed contractors, along with proof of eligibility for housing services and healthcare assistance.
Health and Safety Hazards
While West Virginia’s home repair grants focus on removing health and safety hazards, they’re designed to address the critical issues that make homes unsafe or uninhabitable.
Through hazard identification, you can pinpoint problems like deteriorating roofs, faulty electrical systems, and plumbing failures that threaten your family’s wellbeing.
Lead-based paint removal qualifies as environmental remediation under the program.
Repair prioritization guarantees you allocate resources to the most urgent safety concerns first.
Grants up to $10,000—or $15,000 in disaster areas—help you tackle these essential improvements.
You’ll need licensed contractor estimates and documentation to apply, guaranteeing qualified professionals handle your home’s critical repairs.
Accessibility Improvements for Disabilities
- Permanent ramps (wood or concrete) for entry and mobility
- Grab bars and handrails in bathrooms and throughout the home
- Widened doorways to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers
- Walk-in showers and accessible bathroom modifications
- Lowered countertops and adjusted light switches for improved functionality
These modifications remove health and safety hazards while enabling you to age in place independently.
Funding through USDA programs and state initiatives guarantees eligible homeowners can access necessary improvements without financial burden.
Essential Structural Repairs
Since your home’s structural integrity directly impacts your family’s safety, the USDA Section 504 Home Repair program covers essential repairs that address critical vulnerabilities.
You can fund roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, and foundations to guarantee your home stays safe and livable. Grants up to $10,000—or $15,000 in disaster areas—target low-income elderly homeowners removing health and safety hazards.
You’ll also access improvements boosting energy efficiency and accessibility.
Combine loans and grants for up to $50,000—or $55,000 in disaster zones—to tackle comprehensive projects keeping your family secure.
How Much Funding Can You Receive?
You can secure loans up to $40,000 at a fixed 1% interest rate over 20 years through West Virginia’s Section 504 Home Repair program.
Grants cap at $10,000 to remove health and safety hazards, rising to $15,000 in disaster areas, with a lifetime limit per recipient.
Combine them for up to $50,000 total—or $55,000 in disasters—to maximize your funding.
Loan Maximums
- Access up to $40,000 in loans for repairs, improvements, or modernization.
- Secure a 20-year term at a fixed 1% interest rate for affordable loan repayment.
- Combine loans and grants for up to $50,000 total, or $55,000 in disaster areas.
- Get grants up to $10,000 lifetime (elderly very-low-income), rising to $15,000 in disasters.
- You’ll repay grants only if selling within 3 years, ensuring flexible support.
Grant Caps
While loan amounts provide substantial funding for repairs and modernization, grant caps offer a more targeted safety net for those who need it most.
You can receive up to $10,000 in grant funding to address health and safety hazards in your home. If you’re located in a presidentially declared disaster area, grant limitations expand to $15,000, providing additional resources during emergencies.
These grants feature a lifetime limit, meaning you’ll receive assistance once for qualifying repairs.
When combining loans and grants, your total funding availability reaches $50,000, or $55,000 in disaster zones. This structure guarantees targeted support while maximizing your overall repair resources.
How to Apply: Steps and Timeline
To apply for West Virginia Home Repair Grants, contact your local Rural Development office year-round to begin the prequalification process and submit required documents like Form RD 3550-35, proof of homeownership, income verification, and repair descriptions.
Application tips and timeline expectations:
- Submit Form RD 3550-35 and authorization forms during prequalification
- Provide detailed repair descriptions with supporting photos
- Include income documentation to verify eligibility
- Expect approval timelines vary based on local funding availability
- Engage with your local office for guidance throughout the process
The prequalification process helps clarify your eligibility before formal submission. Your Rural Development office provides essential support, answering questions and facilitating smoother applications.
Since funding varies by region, early engagement guarantees you understand realistic timelines and maximize approval chances.
Common Eligibility Issues and Approval Expectations
Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll face common eligibility hurdles like exceeding 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county, not occupying the home as your primary residence, or lacking proof of financial hardship from COVID-19 after January 21, 2020.
Second homes, vacant properties, or investment homes don’t qualify, so confirm your West Virginia property meets these rules early.
Avoid common mistakes like missing photos, cost estimates from licensed contractors, or incomplete proof of income and ownership—these delay approvals.
Expect decisions tied to application timelines; submit fully before closure to maximize chances for up to $10,000 in critical repairs.
State, Nonprofit, and Local Programs Beyond Section 504
- Access the ASP Home Repairs program for essential fixes like roofing, siding, and accessibility in Central Appalachia.
- Claim a 20% SHPO Tax Credit for rehabilitating certified historic homes.
- Get WV Housing Development Fund grants for past-due mortgages and utilities.
- Tap WV Homeowners Rescue for up to $10,000 in critical repairs via licensed contractors.
- Utilize local community development organizations for improved funding collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Money to Make Home Repairs?
Apply for USDA Section 504 repair loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 (or $15,000 for elderly in disasters) at local Rural Development offices—you qualify if very-low-income in rural areas. Investigate other funding sources like ASP.
Who Is Eligible for the WV Homeowners Assistance Fund?
You qualify for the WV Homeowners Assistance Fund’s eligibility criteria if you own and occupy your primary WV residence, your household income’s under 150% AMI, and you’ve attested to COVID-related hardship post-January 21, 2020. Check homeowner assistance programs now.
What Is the WV Emergency Repair and Replacement Program?
West Virginia’s Emergency Repair and Replacement Program helps you fix critical heating and cooling systems when they fail. You’ll receive replacement assistance if you’re low-income, meet specific household criteria, and can’t afford repairs independently.
What Is the Hardship Program in West Virginia?
You access West Virginia’s hardship program through the Homeowners Rescue Program, securing hardship assistance and financial relief for mortgage delinquencies, utilities, taxes, and critical repairs if you own your primary residence, earn ≤150% AMI, and attest to COVID-related hardship post-1/21/20.
Conclusion
You qualify for up to $10,000 in USDA Section 504 grants if you’re a very-low-income homeowner aged 62+ in rural West Virginia, tackling health hazards like leaky roofs. Combine it with a $40,000 loan at 1% interest for up to $50,000 total aid. Don’t wait—contact your local Rural Development office today, submit income proof and repair details, and secure your safe home fast. Act now; these funds keep thousands staying put annually.