The US Department of Agriculture’s Program 101: Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants

What does this program do?

Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Who may apply for this program?

To qualify, you must:

• Be the homeowner and occupy the house
• Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
• Have a family income below 50 percent of the area median income
• For grants, be age 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan

What is an eligible area?

Applicants may check the address of their home to determine eligibility.

How may funds be used?

• Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize homes or remove health and safety hazards
• Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards

How much money is available?

• Maximum loan is $20,000
• Maximum grant is $7,500
• Loans and grants can be combined for up to $27,500 in assistance

What are the terms of the loan or grant?

• Loans can be repaid over 20 years
• Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
• Full title service is required for loans of $7,500 or more
• Grants have a lifetime limit of $7,500
• Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
• If applicants can repay part, but not all of the costs, applicants may be offered a loan and grant combination

Is there a deadline to apply?

Home loans are available year round as long as funding is available. Applications are processed in the order they are received.

What governs this program?

The Housing Act of 1949 as amended, 7 CFR Part 3550 HB-1-3550 – Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants Field Office Handbook

Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

Helping people stay in their own home and keep it in good repair helps families and their communities. Homeownership helps families and individuals build savings over time.