The Rural Housing Repair Loans and Grants program offers loans and grants to very-low-income homeowners. Very low income is below 50 percent of the area median income.

How may funds be used?

• Loans may be used to repair, improve, or modernize your home, or remove health and safety hazards.
• Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards.

How much money can I get?

• Maximum loan is $20,000.
• Maximum grant is $7,500.
• Loans and grants can be combined for up to $27,500.

What are the terms of the loan or grant?

• Loans can be repaid over 20 years.
• Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%.
• Full title service is required for loans of $7,500 or more.
• Grants have a lifetime limit of $7,500.
• Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years.
• If you can repay part but not all of the cost, you may be able to get a loan and grant combination.

To qualify for the loan program, you must be: 

• A homeowner who has very low income,
• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and
• Live in a rural area.

To qualify for the grant program, you must:

• Meet the requirements above,
• Be age 62 or older, and
• Not be able to repay a repair loan.

You must also:

• Occupy the house, and
• Be unable to get affordable credit elsewhere.

See income limits (PDF, 5 MB) for more details.

To apply for a loan or grant, you may:

• Visit U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Online Services.
• Contact your state's Rural Development field office.