Home Improvement Grant: Florida

Finding funds for a home improvement project is tough, but it is possible to find a home improvement grant in Florida. Other states and the federal government have similar funding programs.

Where to Look for Florida Home Improvement Grants

Information on Florida home improvement grants is available via online databases, such as HomeBuyerFunds or by visiting the Florida state government Web site, My Florida.com. Grants are offered for low-income residents, those over 62, those living in historic neighborhoods and a variety of other groups.

Home Improvement Grant: Florida-What's Available?

To give you an idea of what kind of funding is available, below is a sample of what was available in 2007. Please note these programs change frequently and this information is only meant to give readers an idea of what is customarily offered.

• Rural Housing Service Repair and Rehabilitation Grant – Applicants must be over 62, live in a rural area, occupy the home being repaired, and have an income at least 50 percent below the state median. Maximum grant of $7,500.

• Weatherization Assistance Program – Funded by the Federal Department of Energy, this program provides assistance for homeowners to update heating and cooling units, repair or replace hot water tanks, install solar screens, and to install attic ventilation. Applicants must have an income no greater than 50 percent about the national poverty level and preference is given to owner-occupied homes, those over 62, applicants with a disability, and those with children living in the home under the age of 12.

• Florida Division of Emergency Management – This agency offers a series of grants and loans to improve the wind resistance of Florida homes, by evaluating and improving the structural support of homes and providing tie-downs for mobile homes.

• Florida Community Development Block Grant Program – This state-wide initiative provides funds to local communities for housing and to improve neighborhoods by renovations, new storefronts, and street improvements.

In addition to these programs, at this writing there were still a variety of programs in place state-wide to assist those whose homes were damaged in the hurricanes of 2005.

Low-interest loans are also available for homeowners through the federal government, such as with the Housing and Urban Development programs, and via state programs, such as county first-time homebuyer remodeling loans. Qualifications for these loans are generally less stringent than those for grants.

How to Apply for a Home Improvement Grant in Florida

Each grant has its own set of application requirements, due dates, and qualifications. A good place to start your search is at MyFlorida.com, the easy-to-navigate Web site of the Florida state government.

Grant projects and their details are matters of public record. Don't be misled into paying a company to find or compile this information for you. A trip to the county courthouse or the local branch of your library should be able to help you with whatever information you find online.

The United States and Florida governments have money set aside to assist with home improvement projects for many Florida homeowners. Before you decide that you can't possibly afford the repairs you'd like to make on your home or that you'd have to get a loan to do the work, take a few minutes to see what money is available. The return on investment for your time and effort will be well worth it.

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