If you are a Virginia homeowner who needs to update or upgrade your home, there are various helpful options and programs available – just like grants for all other states.
Both state and federal agencies currently offer grant funding, loans or tax rebates for accomplishing home makeovers. Large or small projects can be funded.
Some funding opportunities accept applications from all state homeowners for repairs and upgrades.
Others are intended for specific categories of applicants.
For example, some funding sources and programs may grant or loan money for home improvements related to environmental issues.
Others may fund upgrades for low-income housing, refurbishing an older or historical home or improving energy conservation.
Home improvement grants in Virginia are versatile!
Additional funding assistance is available to install or upgrade accessibility features for disabled people and senior home dwellers.
You can find online listings of these funding sources for making repairs to your home.
Consult federal and state housing department websites and grant funding directories.
You should also seek advice from your city or township’s government offices and check with your local chamber of commerce or housing authority for grant programs.
Get Started with Convenient Online Applications
By applying for your home improvement grant or loan online, you can save both time and effort.
You can also benefit from faster funding approval to start your renovations.
You may feel more comfortable applying through a local city or township office or agency.
This is also a good, safe way to get started when applying for your funding.
Some local governments maintain direct working relationships with state agencies for home betterment aid.
These local contacts can often help you obtain faster funding.
Experienced staff members at these offices and agencies are also quite helpful in locating your ideal funding assistance sources.
Once these local officials understand your home updating needs, they can direct you to the most appropriate funding aids.
Beware of Funding Scams as You Get Started
You should be aware that there are numerous scams offering fraudulent grants and loans to homeowners today. Never give in to these fake offers.
If you receive a phone call, text or email message that includes the offer of home improvement funding, disregard it. End any suspicious phone conversations quickly.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of these false offers around.
Scammers may ask for your personal ID information and offer to transfer money to your bank account.
Never give them any of your personal or account information.
Contact government housing officials to ensure that any grant, loan or rebate that you apply for is sponsored by a legitimate source.
Applying for funding through state or federal government offices or another trusted funding source is reliable and secure. Get started safely.
Get Qualified for a Virginia Home Upgrade Grant Today
1. Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Virginia
These helpful grants and loans are sponsored by the Rural Development division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This USDA housing repair funding (Section 504 Home Repair) program is designed for low-income homeowners.
Applicants are typically seeking funds for modernizing their homes.
Elderly homeowners in need of renovations to eliminate unsafe or unhealthy living conditions may also apply for rural development grants.
To qualify for this grant funding, you must be a homeowner and live in your house.
Your household income must not surpass the low limit in your locale.
You must show proof that you are not able to gain credit at interest rates that you can afford.
You must be at least age 62 and unable to afford a repair loan.
2. Emergency Home and Accessibility Repair Program (EHARP)
Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (FHCD), this funding is for low-income homeowners.
Suitable applicants for this program are single mothers, senior homeowners and veterans.
The funding is for eliminating home health and safety hazards.
These funds can also be used to remove obstacles to home accessibility. The funds are distributed by local administrators for Virginia home repair grants.
These administrators arrange for the home repairs or upgrades to be done.
These renovations may include structural, plumbing and electrical work or roof repair.
Especially for elderly grant recipients, having the funds administered by an experienced outside party can be a great help.
Water Systems and Plumbing
3. Indoor Plumbing Rehabilitation Program (IPR)
The IPR loan plan focuses on providing financial aid via forgivable loans for low-income homeowners. Some moderate-income applicants are also eligible.
When applying, you must show proof that you own your home property and require water system or plumbing upgrades.
This is required for many Virginia home repair grants.
Repairs and upgrades that are covered for funding include upgrades to water systems, indoor plumbing and septic tanks. Some accessibility needs are also funded.
Local authorities who coordinate home upgrades with the DHCD administer this funding program.
They decide if you are eligible for this grant and oversee the work.
If you are a single mom, veteran, senior or an individual with disabilities, you will receive priority for funding approval.
4. The Appalachia Service Project
The ASP grants home updating aid to low-income homeowners in Bristol County.
Acceptable home improvements for eligibility include roofing and plumbing.
Other home renovations covered by this grant are accessibility renovations and electrical repairs or upgrades.
You must show proof of ownership for your home property to meet grant approval requirements. This is required by many VA home repair grants.
If your home is one that is chosen for visitation by a program agent, you should have a copy of your deed available for them.
If you do not own your house, the ASP will produce and file a lease amendment.
You, the property owner (after approving updates) and the ASP will get a lease copy.
5. The Appalachian Community Action and Development Agency
This emergency home repairs loan is available to low-income homeowners in Lee County. It provides for plumbing repairs.
Eligible applicants include single moms, veterans, disabled individuals and elderly homeowners throughout the area.
This is typical of many free home repair grants in Virginia.
This program is also offered to homeowners who occupy their homes in Dickenson, Scott and Wise Counties and the city of Norton.
This home funding is a 10-year loan with no interest. The monthly repayment amount is charged according to the recipient’s ability to repay.
If the homeowner pays the predetermined amount, all else is forgiven.
The minimum borrower payment required is $25. This is one of the very helpful home repair loans Virginia.
Energy Conservation and Repairs
6. The Neighborhood Housing and Rehabilitation Program
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This financial assistance plan benefits home dwellers who own their houses in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
The funding granted is for eliminating health and safety hazards and improving energy efficiency.
Funds are administered by local officials.
These Community Development Block (CDBG) funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD handles many VA home improvement grants.
Funding is provided for updating home interiors and exteriors, improving accessibility, replacing lead-based paint and enhancing energy conservation.
As a grant recipient, your total household income must be less than 80 percent of the MSA median for Washington, D.C., based on family size.
Neighborhood Rebuilding
7. Rebuilding Together
This home refurbishing program provides home repairs and safety upgrades to low-income homeowners. It restructures houses and lives.
This home rebuilding service is staffed by volunteers.
Updates to homes include installations of handrails and grab bars where needed.
Home improvements may include new interior lighting systems as well as the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Serving Richmond and the Tri-Cities area, this popular home revitalizing service is sustained by business and organizational financial support.
Environmental Updates
8. The Lead Hazard Reduction Program
This recent DHCD financing plan supplies federal HUD funds to statewide organizations that oversee lead abatement work.
Administrators collaborate with local health officials, state agencies and DHCD providers to eliminate lead hazards successfully.
All grant providers are listed in the Rehabilitation Program Portfolio. Some other funds may be leveraged using LHR funding to aid lead reduction work.
Eligible grant applicants must live in single or multifamily residences that were built no later than 1977.
Owner or renter-occupied or vacant houses are acceptable.
The combined household income of applicants must be 80% or less of the locale’s median income. A child age six or less or a pregnant woman must be at home twice each week.
Historic Rehab
9. Introduction to Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
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When historic homes in your neighborhood are repaired and restored to their original beauty, you feel pride in your community.
These cultural sites are also visitor attractions.
If you own a historic home in Virginia, you can benefit from both federal and state tax credits through the Department of Historic Resources.
You can obtain tax credits for an owner-occupied residence or a building that is income-generating. Seek advice from the Richmond DHR office.
If your property is an income-generating building, you may also be approved for attractive federal tax credits.
Aid for Disabled Veterans
10. Granting Freedom Provides Home Modifications for Disabled Veterans
This vital home modifying program for disabled veterans operates with collaboration between the Virginia Housing Service and Virginia Department of Veteran Services.
If you own or rent your home, you may qualify for this program.
All veterans who experienced a disabling injury in the line-of-duty are eligible to apply.
Grants can be used for widening doorways and installing ramps for wheelchair accessibility.
Grab bars, railings, bathing aids and other approved items may also be installed with funding from this grant.
Check funding categories before applying.
Include clear, concise explanations, photographs, charts, graphics or other relevant information with your application, if permitted for your home improvement grants in Virginia.
Keep a positive attitude throughout the grant or loan application process.
This can help more than most people realize in gaining funding approval for upgrading your home.