Home repairs can be costly. Whether you need a water tank repaired or an air conditioner or your front steps need work, every project adds up to a lot of money. Seniors who are living on a fixed income may not be able to afford to have the work done. Yet they still need it done, or they may end up going out with things they need to keep their home safer. Whether owing or renting a place, it’s comforting to know that there are programs that provide free home repairs for seniors who cannot afford them.
When seniors live on a fixed income, it often leaves them very little extra each month, and they may not be able to afford the unplanned expenses that come up. Home repairs can be an unplanned expense. While some things may be able to be put off, there are some home repairs that must be done to keep the home safe and keep the people in it comfortable. When this happens, you must turn to programs that will help with free home repairs for seniors who cannot afford them.
The programs that will help seniors with paying for house repairs are provided by the government as well as charities. Once you have contacted the federal or national programs for assistance, you have to find the local programs that may help. Local programs are provided by smaller charities that typically serve one particular area. They don’t have multiple offices but instead are focused on helping one city or area.
Free Home Repair Options for Seniors
Consider the options below to help you get free home repair assistance. Contact as many of the programs and options that seem to be a good fit for your situation. If the places cannot help you directly, they may be able to provide you with a referral to a place that can provide free home repair assistance.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This federal agency provides more housing assistance than any other entity in the country. They help people with a range of programs, with one of them being to pay for necessary home repairs. Seniors who cannot afford home repairs can contact their state’s HUD office to inquire about getting help paying for it. They will help cover the cost of things that are necessary to keep a home running and safe. To qualify, you have to show that you meet the low-income requirements and that you are a citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information, find your state’s HUD office, and apply for assistance, click here.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – The USDA is a federal agency that offers a Rural Development program. This program provides financial assistance to help with purchasing or building a home in a rural area. If you live in a rural area and need home repairs, they may also pay for that if you have a low income. They help cover the costs and offer low-interest loans. Which one you are approved for is determined by your income level. To get more information and apply for free home repairs for seniors, click here.
Helping Hands Ministry – This organization provides helpful services to people in need, including helping seniors who need free home repairs. They take in donations and give the funds out to support a range of charitable organizations, including those that help meet the needs of seniors. They can help directly or refer you to one of the charities that they support that provide that type of assistance. To get more information, click here.
Habitat for Humanity – This organization helps seniors and others who have a low income with their housing needs, including with making some repairs. They also offer a line of thrift stores around the nation, called Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The thrift stores often have items that can be used for home repairs. They sell the items for a low cost and provide some for free to those who need it and cannot afford to pay. To get more information, click here.
211 – This is a number seniors can call to access a free referral service that is provided by the United Way organization. They will use their database to help you find resources in your local area that they can refer you to. The service is free and open to everyone. Just let them know what type of assistance you need, and they will try to provide you with free referrals. To obtain more information about the program, click here.
Veteran’s Administration (VA) – Seniors who are veterans and in need of free home repair assistance should contact their local VA office. The VA office is a good resource for all seniors who are veterans and in need of assistance. They may provide you with free home repair assistance or give you a referral to where you can get it in your local area. To find your local VA office, click here.
Council on Aging – Many cities have a Council on Aging that offers helpful services for the seniors who live in the area. They often have a handyman on staff who they will use to help seniors with home repairs that they cannot afford. You can contact your local Council on Aging office to see if they provide free home repairs for seniors who cannot afford them or if they have a handyman on staff that provides free services for seniors. If they cannot help you directly, they may be able to provide you with a referral to a place in your area that can help you with your repairs for free.
Salvation Army – This organization has many locations around the nation and may be able to help you with free home repairs. They can also refer you to other programs in your area that will provide free assistance. To get more information and find a location in your area, click here.