Home Improvement
Home renovation can be an exciting project whether it is out of necessity to meet building and safety codes or purely for cosmetic purposes to increase the home's beauty and/or value. To help transform this concept into reality, consider grants available through local, state and federal government resources. If homeowners fail to qualify for grants, government agencies can assist in procuring low-interest loans for home improvements. Does this Spark an idea?
Types of Home Improvement Grants
Renovation project
Depending on the community demographics and income levels, grants are available for nearly every home improvement/renovation imaginable, from the smallest repairs to actually relocating entire houses.
Available home renovation grant funding includes money for repairs, renovations and upgrades to home interiors and exteriors; electrical, heating, cooling, plumbing and roofing improvements; remodeling and expansion projects; house relocation and new home construction and purchases, including funds for down payments.
Homes that can be renovated to meet building codes are prime candidates for grants, as are homes that need to be altered to accommodate occupants with physical disabilities. Energy-saving home improvement grants are becoming more readily available in many states. Grants requested solely for decorative or expansion projects are not generally available.
Applicant Requirements
Unlike private institutions, most government grant applicants do not need to worry about credit checks, bankruptcies, bad credit or procuring a co-signer. Any U.S. citizen at least 18 years old is eligible to apply. The process is quick, free and eligibility can be determined almost immediately, as well as alternate sources provided.
Guidelines and Restrictions
Federal grant funding is often based on income levels, age, disability status and geographic location. State grant funding generally focuses on communities in need of rebuilding and renovations to improve their financial stability, although some middle- to upper-income applicants may qualify for funds to upgrade energy-inefficient homes. Local grants offered by towns, cities and counties normally focus on home improvements that would be beneficial to entire communities such as water conservation, energy-saving improvements or planting of trees or ground cover to reduce erosion. In rare instances, grants may be available to preserve historical sites or homes.
Grant Alternatives
There are other money-saving avenues available to those who do not qualify for government grants. Low-interest loans are a popular alternative, as are tax rebates for home improvements that reduce energy consumption. These can include but are not limited to replacing older energy-inefficient major appliances and replacing water-gobbling lawns with artificial surfaces.
Information Resources
Fee-based services for grant, loan and tax rebate resources are readily available, but the same information is often available for free online and through community resources such as chambers of commerce and community centers.
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