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USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grant

Filed under Housing & basic needs · Grants & Women editorial team

Administered by

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development

Who it's for

Very-low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas; the grant portion is generally limited to homeowners aged 62 and older who cannot repay a repair loan. Open to women and men alike.

What it funds

Repairs to remove health and safety hazards from a primary residence

Repayable?

Grant (not repaid unless the home is sold within a set period)

Where to apply

Apply through a local USDA Rural Development office; check eligibility at rd.usda.gov

The USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grant program, administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development division, provides assistance to homeowners facing significant barriers to maintaining safe housing. The program targets very-low-income households in rural areas who need to address health and safety hazards in their homes but lack the financial means to do so through conventional lending.

The program operates on two tracks: loans available to eligible homeowners, and grants reserved for older homeowners who cannot reasonably repay borrowed funds. Grants awarded under this program are designed to support critical repairs that eliminate immediate threats to health and safety, such as roof damage, electrical hazards, or structural defects. Unlike loans, grants do not require repayment under standard circumstances, though homeowners should understand that selling the property within a specified timeframe may trigger a repayment obligation.

Eligibility for both loans and grants is determined by household income limits, rural location, age requirements for grant consideration, and other factors established by USDA Rural Development. Interested homeowners apply directly through local USDA Rural Development offices, and no application fee is charged. Prospective applicants should contact their regional office to discuss their specific situation and learn whether they meet current criteria.

Approval is not automatic and depends on thorough evaluation of the applicant's circumstances, available program funding, and documented repair needs. Homeowners considering this assistance should approach the application process with realistic expectations about timelines and outcomes while working directly with official USDA representatives.

Avoid grant scams

Legitimate grants are free to apply for. Walk away from anyone who:

guarantees you a grant, or says you were 'selected' for money you never applied for;
charges an upfront 'processing', 'application', or 'grant kit' fee;
asks for your bank-account or card number to 'deposit' a grant;
pressures you to act immediately.

Verify any program directly at its official .gov site, and report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov. More on our grant-scam awareness page.

Official sources: USDA Rural Development — Section 504 Home Repair program. This page is educational information, not financial or legal advice; grants are competitive and never guaranteed. See our sources & how-we-work policy.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for usda section 504 home repair grant?

Very-low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas; the grant portion is generally limited to homeowners aged 62 and older who cannot repay a repair loan. Open to women and men alike..

Does usda section 504 home repair grant have to be repaid?

This is grant (not repaid unless the home is sold within a set period). Grants generally do not have to be repaid, but they are competitive and eligibility-bound.

Is there a fee to apply?

No. Applying for legitimate funding is free. Anyone charging a fee to 'get you a grant' is a scam — see our scam-awareness page.

How do I apply for usda section 504 home repair grant?

Apply through a local USDA Rural Development office; check eligibility at rd.usda.gov.