Making your home safer and more accessible doesn’t have to drain your savings. While the thought of funding major modifications can feel daunting, there’s actually a wealth of grant programs and financial assistance options designed specifically to help homeowners create safer, more comfortable living spaces. From federal initiatives to local nonprofits, funding exists to help you transform your home into a place where you can thrive for years to come.

Federal Grant Programs Worth Exploring

The federal government offers several robust programs that can help cover home modification costs, particularly for those with limited incomes.

HUD’s Older Adult Home Modification Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates approximately $30 million annually through its Older Adult Home Modification Program (OAHMP). This program partners with experienced nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public housing authorities to provide low-cost, high-impact modifications for seniors 62 and older.

These changes focus on reducing fall risks, improving safety, increasing accessibility, and enhancing daily function within your home. Common improvements include grab bars in bathrooms, better lighting, lever-handled doorknobs, and railings for steps. While you can’t apply directly to HUD, you can contact local participating organizations in your area to see if you qualify for their services.

USDA Section 504 Program for Rural Residents

If you live in a rural area and your household income falls within the “very low” category based on your county’s median area income, the USDA’s Section 504 Home Repair Program offers grants up to $10,000 for homeowners 62 and older to fix health and safety hazards, plus loans up to $40,000 for other repairs. These loans come with attractive terms: a 20-year repayment period at just 1% interest.

The program covers a wide range of improvements, from fixing leaky roofs and faulty wiring to installing grab bars and wheelchair ramps. Contact your local USDA Rural Development office to begin the application process.

Veterans’ Housing Benefits

If you’ve served in the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers several specialized grant programs for home modifications.

The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant provides financial aid to Veterans for necessary home modifications that improve disability access or address medical needs. What makes this program particularly valuable is that it’s available to Veterans with both service-related and non-service-related disabilities, with funding limits ranging from $2,000 to over $6,800.

For Veterans with more severe service-connected disabilities, the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant offers up to $121,812 for fiscal year 2025 to help modify, buy, or build an adapted home. There’s also the Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant, which provides up to $24,405 for FY 2025 for home modifications.

To apply for these programs, submit VA Form 10-0103 through your local VA medical center.

State and Local Resources

Your state and local community likely offer additional assistance programs that can complement federal funding.

Area Agencies on Aging

The Older Americans Act provides funds distributed through local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), with some 600 agencies nationwide having flexibility in how these funds are used. Some AAA offices may offer eligible seniors small grants to make home modifications and repairs.

To find your local Area Agency on Aging, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit their website.

Community Development Block Grants

Many cities and counties use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help low-income residents with home repairs and modifications. Cities with populations over 50,000 may have funding available for low-income residents through the CDBG to make home repairs including home modifications. Contact your city’s housing development or community development department to learn about available programs.

Nonprofit Organizations Making a Difference

Several national nonprofits focus specifically on helping seniors and people with disabilities afford necessary home modifications.

Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is a national nonprofit that provides home repairs at no cost to eligible homeowners, many of whom are seniors or people with disabilities. Their focus centers on health and safety repairs such as fixing hazards like broken steps, faulty wiring, and leaky roofs. The organization relies on volunteers to keep costs down, allowing them to help more families.

To apply, visit Rebuilding Together’s website and search for a local affiliate in your area. Each local chapter sets its own eligibility guidelines and application procedures.

Habitat for Humanity

While most people know Habitat for Humanity for building new homes, they also offer repair and modification programs. In regions like Orange County and San Diego, they’ve helped hundreds of homeowners retrofit bathrooms, install assistive technology, and make homes more accessible with features like no-step entries and widening doorways.

Contact your local Habitat for Humanity chapter to inquire about their home preservation and repair programs.

Medicaid Waiver Programs

If you’re eligible for Medicaid, your state may offer waiver programs that cover home modifications to help you avoid nursing home placement.

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) program is designed for individuals who currently live in nursing homes and wish to return to living at home, providing up to $45,000 for home modifications such as widening doorways, lowering cabinets, and addition of wheelchair ramps.

Contact your state Medicaid office to learn about available waiver programs in your area.

Getting Started with Your Search

Finding the right funding for your home modifications takes some research, but the effort is worthwhile. Start by assessing your specific needs and getting cost estimates for the modifications you require. Then, approach multiple funding sources – you may find that combining several smaller grants or assistance programs can cover your total project costs.

Remember that many programs have income requirements or other eligibility criteria, so gather your financial documents early in the process. Stay persistent if you don’t qualify for the first program you investigate; there are multiple pathways to funding, and determination often pays off.

Smart Financial Strategies

Tax Deductions and Credits

The cost of permanent modifications made to a home that increase the value of the home are also tax deductible within certain parameters. For example, if modifications cost $20,000 but only increase your home’s value by $15,000, you may be able to deduct $5,000 as a medical expense.

Reverse Mortgages

For homeowners 62 and older, reverse mortgages can be a valuable resource for those who wish to fund modifications in order to remain living in their home, since they usually don’t require repayment until the home is sold or the owner moves out for a period of one year.

Key Takeaways

• Federal programs like HUD’s OAHMP and USDA’s Section 504 offer substantial funding for eligible homeowners

• Veterans have access to specialized grants through the VA for both service-related and non-service-related disabilities

• Local Area Agencies on Aging and nonprofits like Rebuilding Together provide valuable community-based assistance

• Medicaid waiver programs can cover significant modification costs for those seeking to avoid nursing home placement

• Tax deductions may help offset some modification costs

• Combining multiple funding sources often provides the best coverage for comprehensive home modifications

• Start your search early and be prepared to provide income documentation and cost estimates