Home repairs are ridiculously expensive—especially extensive ones. Start imagining the funding needed for foundational work, or even a new deck and you’re bound to get a headache to the tune of several thousands of dollars. So, applying for and securing government funded home improvement grants seem a capital idea to raise some much-needed capital. But you don’t get your hands on this dough by simply loafing around. Vital steps and procedures must be followed—chief among these is aptly and adequately demonstrating a need for government assistance.
Despite well-traveled myths, rich robber barons and appallingly wealthy aristocrats do not have the same shot at receiving governmental aid from good ole Uncle Sam (as well they shouldn’t). In actuality the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (commonly referred to as HUD) doles out grants to citizens who can display a need for such funding. That means that if you’re looking for the U.S. government to foot the bill on the latest hot tub for your sprawling mansion, good luck. And the reason these grants are not automatically granted is simple and just—some people don’t actually need them, so, when applying, use your common sense and judgment (do you really need a home improvement grant?).
Who decides who is in need of home improvement grants? HUD does. But steps can be taken to boost your chances of receiving a grant—articulating your point succinctly, understandably, and deftly. In a bid to aid in this effort, websites and book publishers have released veritable deluges of how-to manuals concerning government grants. One website, www.freegovernmentgrantsandloans.org, is a top-notch service for the petitioning neophyte. Helpful hints and terse phrasing will score you points, but an actual need for monies is the biggest determinant of who receives governmental grants.
Books and web pages additionally abound to steer citizens in the direction of free money—in other words, HUD is not the only government agency willing to write checks. These books are a dime a dozen, but actually cost much more ($25-50). Inside the hundreds of pages are various agencies and groups that will proffer grants and loans to citizens meeting and surpassing criteria. While helpful in a certain sense (the money scrounging sense) the fact remains that, for those interested in home improvement grants, a trip or fax to your local HUD branch is probably the safest and most cost-efficient bet.
What types of home improvement grants are available? HUD sponsors a $10,000 grant to spruce up your digs and a $100,000 grant to revamp the neighborhood. Obviously, the outside appearance of homes affects the overall quality of a neighborhood, so such funding can be sparingly applied to your home (albeit the outside only). Why does HUD give away money to homeowners? Firstly, some people need help to upgrade their home and its amenities—adequate housing for U.S. citizens is a top priority for local, state, and federal government agencies. Secondly, improved housing benefits the community as a whole, in that the improvement of a house goes a long way to improving a neighborhood.
Home improvement grants are an altruistic way in which the government helps homeowners in need bear the tremendous brunt of home repair costs. Citizens should only apply for this financial aid if and only if they are truly worthy of such help. Remember: There’s no such thing as a free lunch—unless, of course, the government is picking up the check.
By Jean-Pierre Lacrampe