Government Grants for Roof Replacement

Your roof looks old. It may be leaking in spots, and some shingles are missing. You know it’s time to repair or replace it, but money is tight.

Is there anything you can do? Are there government grants for roof replacement?

Federal and state governments do offer various grants and assistance programs designed specifically for homeowners in need. Whether you qualify for one of these grants depends on several factors, including your income, where you live, and the condition of your home or roof.

In this post, we examine the different types of government grants for roof replacement that are available and how you may apply for them.

Federal Government Grants for Roof Replacement

A federal government home improvement grant is a financial program that provides funds to citizens, organizations, and local governments for home repairs and modifications. These funds don’t have to be paid back in most cases. An exception might be if an individual moves out of the home too quickly after the modifications have been made.

The government also offers loans for home improvements, but in this article, we focus specifically on grants.

Most federal grants are offered only to those with low or very low incomes. The federal government defines this category as earning 50 percent below the area median income for very low income, and 50 to 80 percent of median income for low income.

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A commonly used figure for low income in the U.S. is the government-established federal poverty level. In 2023, it was $14,580 annually for a single-person household, and $30,000 annually for a family of four.

Whether you qualify for a particular grant, however, often depends on the grant itself and where you live.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Offered by the U.S. Department of Energy, this program aims to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households. Its primary focus is on weatherization measures like insulation and air sealing, but it may also cover roof replacements if they can enhance energy efficiency.

To qualify for this grant, you must make no more than 200 percent of the current federal poverty income level. Priority is given to the elderly and disabled, households with high energy consumption, emergency situations, and homes with preschool-age children.

If someone in your household receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, you automatically qualify for Weatherization Assistance.

To Apply: Submit your application to the agency that services your county. Start by identifying your state weatherization administrator at this website, then contact them.

USDA Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Grants for the Elderly

Offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this program grant assists homeowners with home repairs, including roof replacements. It’s mainly focused on enhancing home safety for the elderly and disabled.

The USDA provides grants to low-income, rural, elderly homeowners. These grants can be used to make home modifications for elderly or disabled residents to improve safety and remove health hazards.

To be eligible for this grant, you must:

• Be the homeowner and occupy the house
• Have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county
• Live in a rural area of the country (for a list of eligible areas, visit this page)
• Be 62 years of age or older

If the property is sold in less than three years, the grant must be repaid.

To Apply: Contact your local USDA Service Center. To find yours, visit this site.

Housing Preservation Grant

Also offered by the USDA, this program offers grants to repair low-income housing to ensure these homes remain habitable over time. Unlike the above grants, however, these aren’t directly accessible by individual homeowners. Instead, they’re available to rural development authorities in eligible areas.

Check with your local authorities to find out more. You can also reach out to a roofing contractor in your area, who may be able to provide more details.

To Apply: Contact your local rural development office for more information.

Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP)

Offered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), this program administers grants for roof repairs and/or modifications “to eliminate barriers to accessibility for persons with mobility or other physical impairments.”

The program will pay a grant of up to $20,000 to replace and/or repair a roof. It pays for exterior roofing and gutter work only. To qualify, you must have owned and resided in the home for at least three years.

You must also be ineligible for private financing and maintain a good credit score. You must be current on all district and federal taxes, possess current homeowner’s insurance, and meet the household income limits.

To Apply: Contact one of the community organizations listed on this page.

HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

This grant, offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides funds to local governments and community organizations for various community development products, including housing rehabilitation.

Some communities allocate a portion of these funds for home repairs, including roof replacements. Eligibility varies by location.

To Apply: Check with your local government or housing authority for details.

Housing Improvement Program

Administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and federally recognized Indian tribes, this program helps “eliminate substantially substandard Indian owned and inhabited housing for very low income eligible Indians living in approved tribal service areas.”

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or be an Alaska Native
• Live in an approved tribal service area
• Have an income that does not exceed 125 percent of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Poverty Guidelines (generally characterized as low or very low income)

To Apply: Check with the nearest BIA-operated or tribal social service provider. For more information on how to find a provider in your area, contact the nearest BIA regional office.

State and Local Housing Programs

Though the above grants are all offered by the federal government, state and local governments may also offer assistance programs for homeowners. These programs typically target low-income individuals and families, seniors, and disabled homeowners, and may include grants for roof replacements.

To find out more, search for “housing assistance programs” in your state or locality.

Final Thoughts

While government grants for roof replacement can be an option, not every family will qualify. If you need assistance with the cost of a roof replacement, contact a reputable roofing contractor that offers financing options.

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