Last updated: July 27, 2026 Do not wait for a grant if the home is dangerous now. Leave the unsafe area and call 911, the gas or electric utility, the fire department, or local emergency management for a gas smell, sparks, smoke, exposed live wiring, sewage, a collapsing ceiling, a floor that may give way, … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 If you received a tax sale, lien sale, foreclosure, sheriff sale, or court notice: Call the tax office shown on the notice today. Ask for the exact amount due, the last date to stop the sale, and every payment or hardship option. Then contact nonprofit legal aid. A deadline can … Read more
Last updated: July 27, 2026 If the home is unsafe now: Leave the area and call 911 for fire, gas odor, sparking wires, a possible collapse, or another immediate threat. Call the utility emergency line for a suspected gas or electrical problem. A local repair application is not emergency response and may take weeks or … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Immediate danger: Call 911 for a fire, gas leak, electrical arcing, collapse risk, or a medical emergency. If a broken ramp, stair, bathroom, or entrance keeps someone from safely leaving the home, tell 911 or the local fire department that a person with a disability may need evacuation help. Bottom … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 If the home is unsafe right now Do not wait for a grant application if someone cannot safely enter or leave the home, has fallen and may be hurt, cannot reach a working toilet, or is at risk from a collapsing ramp, loose railing, live wiring, gas, fire, or sewage. … Read more
Last updated: July 27, 2026 If the home is unsafe now: Leave the danger area and call 911 for fire, collapse risk, carbon monoxide symptoms, or another immediate threat. Call the gas or electric utility for a gas smell, sparks, live wires, or damaged utility equipment. Do not wait for a Housing Improvement Program application … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Unsafe home right now? Leave the home and call 911 for fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, collapse risk, live electrical hazards, or a medical emergency. If you smell gas, leave first and call the gas company from outside. Repair grants and loans are not same-day emergency services. Bottom line: There is … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 If the home is dangerous now: Leave the area and call 911 for fire, smoke, a gas smell, sparking wires, carbon monoxide alarms, collapse risk, or a person who is trapped or injured. Call the utility emergency number for gas, electric, or downed-line hazards. Volunteer groups are not emergency responders. … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Bottom line: Do not accept a repair loan only because the contractor makes it easy. First check local repair programs, USDA Section 504, your own bank or credit union, and government-backed renovation loans. A separate lender gives you more room to compare the cash price, loan price, contractor, and payment … Read more
Last updated: July 27, 2026 Bottom Line An ABLE account can often be used to pay for a disability-related ramp, accessible bathroom, wider doorway, lift, safer kitchen, or another home modification. The expense must benefit the account owner and relate to that person’s disability, health, independence, or quality of life. An ABLE account is not … Read more