Home repair grants are an excellent source of funding for individuals and families who need to make repairs to their homes.
The purpose of these grants is to help make low-income family homes safe and accessible. In Mississippi, there are various federal, state, and local organizations that offer home repair grants for eligible residents. In this blog post, we will discuss the available free home repair grants in Mississippi.
Available Free Home Repair Grants in Mississippi
Table of Content
- Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) Homeowner Rehabilitation Program
- Community Action Agency (CAA) Home Repair Program
- Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) HOME Investment Partnership Program
- USDA Rural Development Repair and Rehabilitation Grant
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program
Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) Homeowner Rehabilitation Program
The Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) Homeowner Rehabilitation Program offers free home repair grants to low-income homeowners in Mississippi. The program provides funding for necessary home repairs that cannot be financed through other means.
The program is designed to assist homeowners in maintaining their homes and preserving affordable housing. To be eligible for the MHC Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, you must be a homeowner, have a low income, and reside in a single-family home.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Homeowners must reside in the home and be the owner
- The household income must not exceed 80% of the area’s median income.
- The home must be a single-family, owner-occupied residence.
- The home must be located in Mississippi.
- The home must be in need of repairs to address health and safety concerns.
How to Apply:
- Contact the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) to determine eligibility and to request an application.
- Complete the application, providing all required information and documentation.
- Return the completed application to the MHC.
- Once the application is received, MHC staff will conduct an on-site visit to assess the home and determine the extent of repairs needed.
- If the homeowner is deemed eligible and the repairs are approved, the homeowner will be required to enter into a contract with MHC to complete the repairs.
- After the repairs are completed, MHC staff will conduct a final inspection to ensure that the work was completed as agreed.
Community Action Agency (CAA) Home Repair Program
The Community Action Agency (CAA) Home Repair Program provides free home repair grants to low-income families in Mississippi. The program offers to fund essential home repairs that cannot be financed through other means. The CAA Home Repair Program is designed to assist families in maintaining their homes and preserving affordable housing.
If you are a low-income homeowner in Mississippi in need of home repairs, the Community Action Agency Home Repair Program may be able to help. Contact your local Community Action Agency today to learn more and to start the application process.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for the CAA Home Repair Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Residency: Applicants must be residents of Mississippi and live in the home that they want to repair.
- Income: Applicants must have a household income that is below the program’s established income limit, which varies depending on the area and household size.
- Homeownership: Applicants must own the home that they want to repair and be responsible for paying property taxes and insurance on the property.
- Home condition: The home must be in need of repairs and must meet program guidelines regarding safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
- Home value: The value of the home must not exceed the program’s established maximum value.
How to Apply:
- Contact your local Community Action Agency: The first step in applying for the CAA Home Repair Program is to contact your local Community Action Agency. You can find a list of agencies by visiting the Mississippi Community Action Agency Association’s website.
- Complete an application: Once you have made contact with your local Community Action Agency, you will be asked to complete an application. You will need to provide information about your household income, home ownership, and the repairs you need.
- Submit required documentation: In addition to the application, you will need to submit proof of income, homeownership, and other documentation as required by the program.
- Meet with a program representative: Once your application and required documentation have been submitted, a program representative will meet with you to discuss the details of your repair needs and conduct a home assessment.
- Receive notification of eligibility: After the home assessment is complete, you will receive notification of whether you are eligible for the CAA Home Repair Program and, if so, the amount of assistance you will receive.
- Complete the repairs: If you are eligible for the program, you will be responsible for completing the repairs to your home. The Community Action Agency will provide oversight and technical assistance to ensure that the repairs are completed in accordance with program guidelines.
The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) HOME Investment Partnership Program provides free home repair grants to low-income homeowners in Mississippi.
The program offers funds for necessary home repairs that cannot be financed through other means. The HOME Investment Partnership Program is designed to assist homeowners in maintaining their homes and preserving affordable housing.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a first-time homebuyer or a homeowner who has not owned a home in the past three years
- Must have a total household income at or below 80% of the area median income
- Must be a legal resident of Mississippi
- Must occupy the home as their primary residence
- Must complete a homebuyer education course
How to Apply:
- Contact the MDA at 601-359-6611 to find a participating lender in your area.
- Complete a homebuyer education course offered by a participating organization.
- Meet with a participating lender to discuss your options and determine if you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Complete a loan application and provide all necessary documentation, such as proof of income and expenses, proof of residency, and identification.
- If approved, the lender will work with you to secure the funds needed for your home purchase or rehabilitation project.
Please note that the MDA HOME Investment Partnership Program is a competitive program and funding is limited. It is important to contact the MDA as soon as possible to determine if funds are available and to begin the application process.
USDA Rural Development Repair and Rehabilitation Grant
The USDA Rural Development Repair and Rehabilitation Grant provide free home repair grants to low-income homeowners in rural areas of Mississippi. The program offers funds for necessary home repairs that cannot be financed through other means.
Eligibility Requirements
- Residency: You must be a homeowner and live in a rural area, as defined by the USDA.
- Income: You must have an income below the established low-income limit for your area.
- Home Ownership: You must own and occupy the home in need of repairs. The home must also be your primary residence.
How to Apply
- Contact your local USDA Rural Development office: You can find your local office by visiting the USDA Rural Development website or by calling their national office.
- Complete an application: Your local office will provide you with an application and guide you through the process. You will need to provide information about your income, assets, and the repairs needed for your home.
- Home inspection: A USDA inspector will visit your home to assess the condition and make a determination of what repairs are necessary.
- Approval: If approved, you will receive a grant to pay for the repairs to your home. The grant may also include a loan to cover additional costs.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program provides grants to eligible individuals and households who have suffered significant damage as a result of a declared disaster. Eligibility for the program is determined by FEMA and is based on factors such as the extent of the damage, insurance coverage, and the applicant’s ability to obtain funds from other sources.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
- Must have suffered significant damage as a result of a declared disaster
- Must have insurance coverage for the damages, but the insurance may not fully cover the cost of repairs
- Must have a financial need for assistance, as determined by FEMA
- Must not have sufficient resources or support from other sources to fully recover from the disaster
- Must be able to provide documentation to support the claim of damages and insurance coverage.
How to Apply
- Register with FEMA: The first step in applying for FEMA assistance is to register online or by phone. This can be done by visiting the FEMA website or by calling the toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
- Complete a damage assessment: After registering, a FEMA inspector will contact the applicant to schedule a time to visit the damaged property and assess the extent of the damage.
- Submit a grant application: After the damage assessment is complete, the applicant will be asked to complete a grant application to determine eligibility for assistance. This will involve providing information about the extent of the damage, insurance coverage, and other sources of funding.
- Receive grant award: If the grant application is approved, FEMA will disburse the grant funds directly to the recipient.
It is important to note that funding from the FEMA Individual Assistance Program is intended to supplement insurance and other sources of recovery funding, not to replace them.
