Last updated: May 21, 2026
Your home may need a repair your budget cannot handle, but the program you need may not say “HUD” on the door. It may be hidden inside a city housing office, county community development department, state agency, or nonprofit contractor using CDBG or HOME funds.
Quick facts
- CDBG and HOME are federal HUD programs, but homeowners usually apply through a local or state program.
- Help may be called homeowner rehabilitation, owner-occupied rehab, emergency repair, housing preservation, code repair, accessibility repair, or a deferred loan.
- Rules vary by city, county, state, tribal area, and nonprofit partner.
- Many programs serve lower-income owner-occupants and may have waiting lists, funding caps, inspections, contractor rules, and title checks.
- Do not start work or pay a contractor before the program gives written approval.
What this page helps you do
This guide is for a homeowner trying to find local repair help paid for with HUD Community Development Block Grant funds, called CDBG, or HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds, called HOME.
The hard part is not learning the names of the federal programs. The hard part is finding the right intake desk. HUD sends CDBG funds by formula to eligible states, cities, counties, and insular areas. HUD describes CDBG as money used to support decent housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunity, mainly for low- and moderate-income people. You can review the official HUD CDBG overview from the agency.
HOME works in a similar local way. HUD says HOME provides formula grants to states and localities, often with nonprofit partners, for affordable housing activities. That can include rehabilitating affordable housing for homeownership. The official HOME program overview explains the program.
For a homeowner, this means one important thing: you are probably not looking for a federal application. You are looking for the city, county, state, housing agency, tribal partner, or nonprofit that runs the local repair program.
If the repair is dangerous right now
CDBG and HOME programs are rarely same-day emergency services. If there is fire risk, exposed live wiring, a gas smell, sewage inside the home, no safe heat in severe weather, a collapsing structure, or a blocked exit, treat it as a safety problem first.
- Call 911 for immediate danger.
- Call your gas, electric, water, or sewer utility for service hazards.
- Call your local building, code, or health department if the home may be unsafe to occupy.
- If you may lose the home because of repair costs, call a HUD-approved housing counselor before signing a loan.
After the immediate danger is handled, use this page to find the local repair intake path. For a broader first step, see the HomeRepairGrants.org local programs guide first.
CDBG vs. HOME: why the difference matters
CDBG and HOME can both support housing repair, but they are not the same. Local staff may care which funding source is used because the rules can affect income checks, inspections, lead paint work, property standards, and whether a small repair can be approved.
| Question | CDBG | HOME |
|---|---|---|
| Who receives the federal money? | Eligible cities, urban counties, states, and insular areas. The CDBG entitlement program covers many larger cities and counties. The state CDBG program supports smaller local governments. | States, local governments, and consortia called participating jurisdictions, often shortened to PJs. |
| Can it help homeowners repair homes? | Yes, if the local program has chosen homeowner rehabilitation or a related eligible activity and the activity meets CDBG rules. | Yes. HUD says HOME rehab rules allow help for repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of owner-occupied units. |
| What income group is usually served? | Low- and moderate-income people are the main focus. Local programs use HUD income rules and local documents. | HOME funds must be invested in housing for low-income families, generally at or below 80% of area median income, adjusted for family size. Check current HOME income limits. |
| Can it do a small emergency repair? | Often more flexible. CDBG-funded local programs may be set up for emergency repair, spot repair, code correction, or full rehab. | Sometimes, but HOME can require the unit to meet the participating jurisdiction’s written rehab standard and code requirements. That can make a small stand-alone repair harder. |
| Will there be a lien or loan? | Possibly. Many local programs use grants, deferred loans, forgivable loans, or zero-interest loans. The local agreement controls. | Possibly. HOME rules may also involve affordability or property value checks. HUD posts HOME value limits for assisted homeownership units. |
Fastest realistic starting points
Most people lose time by searching for “CDBG application” or “HOME grant application” and landing on grant directories. Use local government words instead. Search your city, county, or state plus phrases like “homeowner rehabilitation,” “owner occupied rehab,” “housing rehab,” “emergency home repair,” “community development,” or “CDBG housing repair.”
Step 1: Check your city first
If you live inside a larger city, the city may receive CDBG directly from HUD. Look for the city department named housing, neighborhood services, community development, planning, or code compliance.
Ask for the office that handles owner-occupied housing rehabilitation, not just building permits. A permit office may know code rules but may not run financial help.
Step 2: Check your county
If your city does not run a program, your county may be the HUD grantee, or your city may participate through an urban county. HUD says qualified urban counties generally have populations of at least 200,000, excluding the population of entitlement cities. The official urban county page explains this structure.
Step 3: If you are in a smaller town or rural area, check the state
Smaller cities and rural counties often do not get CDBG directly. The state may receive CDBG and then award money to local governments. That means your town may have help only during certain grant cycles. If you live outside a large city or urban county, contact your state community development agency or state housing finance agency and ask which local governments or nonprofits are funded in your area.
Step 4: Use HUD tools when local search fails
The HUD Exchange awards search can help you see which grantees receive CDBG or HOME money. The HUD Exchange also explains the Consolidated Plan, which is the local planning process for these funds. Your city or county Annual Action Plan may list a housing rehab line item, the agency running it, and sometimes the expected number of homes to be assisted.
What repairs may be covered
Covered repairs depend on the local program design. CDBG and HOME are funding sources, not a promise that every repair will be paid. A local program may focus on one repair type or may require a broader rehab scope.
Repairs often seen in local programs
- Roof repair or replacement when leakage threatens the home.
- Heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, or sewer repairs tied to health and safety.
- Code violation repairs for owner-occupied homes.
- Accessibility work such as ramps, grab bars, door widening, or bathroom changes.
- Lead-based paint hazard work in older homes when required by federal rules.
- Structural repairs, floors, porches, stairs, foundations, or unsafe exterior conditions.
- Rehabilitation needed to keep the home decent, safe, sanitary, and livable.
Repairs that may not be covered
- Work already started or finished before written program approval.
- Luxury upgrades, cosmetic-only projects, additions, pools, or landscaping.
- Repairs on homes outside the program’s city, county, or service area.
- Homes with title problems that cannot be resolved in time.
- Homes needing repairs far above the local cap, unless another source can fill the gap.
- Rental property, unless the specific program is designed for rental rehab.
If your repair is mainly energy-related, also review USAGov repair help and ask about weatherization. Weatherization may be separate from CDBG or HOME and can have different rules. If your repair involves lead paint in a home built before 1978, review HUD’s lead paint resources and ask whether certified workers are required.
Who may qualify
Local rules vary, but most CDBG and HOME homeowner repair programs start with the same basic questions: do you own and live in the home, is the home in the right service area, does the household meet income rules, and is the repair allowed under the program?
- You may be a good fit if the home is your main residence.
- You may be a good fit if your household income is within the local limit.
- You may be a good fit if the repair is needed for safety, code, health, accessibility, or basic livability.
- You may be a good fit if you can show ownership, taxes, mortgage status, insurance, and income proof.
- You may not fit if the home is outside the funded area.
- You may not fit if the home is a second home, investment property, or short-term rental.
- You may not fit if you refuse inspection, permits, contractor rules, or required documents.
Income limits are not the same everywhere. HUD updates income limits by area and household size. A city may also set priorities, such as very low-income households, seniors, disabled homeowners, veterans, families with children, homes with active code cases, or repairs that remove an urgent health risk. Do not assume you are over the limit because a neighbor was denied. Ask for the current limit for your household size.
HOME has an extra issue that many homeowners do not expect. For owner-occupied rehabilitation, the home must be within the applicable HOME homeownership value limit after rehab, unless the participating jurisdiction uses an approved local method. HUD’s value-limit page says the 2025 limits became effective December 1, 2025 and remain in effect until HUD issues new limits. This is why a program may ask about the estimated value of your home, not just your income.
How local administration works
Local administration is the reason one county may offer roof repair grants while the next county offers only deferred loans, and another city has no open list at all. HUD sets the federal framework. The local grantee designs the program within that framework and its budget.
A local government may run the program directly. It may also contract with a nonprofit, community action agency, housing authority, redevelopment agency, or regional planning commission. Some states fund towns, counties, and nonprofits through competitive rounds. This is common in smaller communities.
The public plan matters. Cities and states that receive HUD community development funds prepare plans that describe needs, priorities, and yearly activities. In plain English, this is where you may see whether home repair is in the budget this year. If a plan shows only rental housing, homeless services, or infrastructure, the local office may not have homeowner repair money right now.
Documents to gather before you apply
You do not need every document before making the first call. But gathering records early can keep you from losing a place on a waitlist. For a more detailed checklist, see the HomeRepairGrants.org document checklist.
| Document or proof | Why the program asks | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Confirms identity. | Ask what is accepted if your ID is expired or your name changed. |
| Proof of ownership | Shows you own the home. | Deed, title, manufactured-home title, trust papers, probate papers, or tax record may be requested. |
| Proof you live there | Shows owner-occupancy. | Utility bill, driver’s license, voter record, benefit letter, or insurance record may help. |
| Income proof | Checks household eligibility. | Pay stubs, Social Security letters, pension statements, unemployment, child support, bank statements, or tax returns may be required. |
| Property tax record | Shows parcel details and whether taxes are current. | Ask about payment plans if you are behind. |
| Mortgage or lien information | Shows whether other claims affect the property. | Some programs check whether the home is at risk of foreclosure. |
| Insurance information | Checks duplicate benefits and risk. | After storms, the program may need claim documents or denial letters. |
| Photos and repair notes | Helps staff understand the problem. | Take clear photos, but do not climb on a roof or enter unsafe areas. |
| Contractor estimates | May help with scope and cost. | Do not sign a contract or start work until the program says what is allowed. |
Inspections, estimates, and contractor rules
Most CDBG and HOME repair programs do not simply hand money to a homeowner. They may inspect the home, write a work scope, check income, complete an environmental review, approve contractors, require permits, and inspect again before final payment.
This can feel slow, but it protects both the program and the homeowner. Federal funds can trigger lead paint, environmental review, permit, and fair housing rules.
Never assume you can pick any contractor. Some programs use a pre-approved contractor list. Some require bids. Some let the homeowner choose from qualified bidders. Some pay the contractor directly after inspection. Ask this before you sign anything.
Do not start early. If you start work before the written notice to proceed, the program may not be able to pay for it. Even a real repair can become ineligible if it was not approved first.
Delays, waitlists, and denials
Many local repair programs run out of funds before they run out of need. A delay does not always mean you did something wrong. It may mean the program is waiting for a new funding year, a council approval, HUD release of funds, contractor availability, inspection staff, or another household ahead of you.
Ask for the status in writing when you can. Keep a call log with the date, person, number, and what they said. Save copies of your application, all documents, and photos. If you need help with the application process itself, use the HomeRepairGrants.org application guide next.
Common reasons people get stuck
- They applied to HUD instead of the local intake office.
- They used an old income chart or old program flyer.
- They live outside the funded city, county, or service area.
- The repair is not covered by the current funding round.
- They started work before approval.
- They cannot prove ownership because of probate, heir property, divorce, or title issues.
- They missed a document deadline.
- The home needs more work than the program cap allows.
- The program is closed, but the old page is still online.
If you are denied
Ask for the denial reason in writing. The next step depends on the reason. If the issue is a missing document, ask whether the file can be reopened. If the issue is income, ask what income was counted and what period was used. If the issue is title, ask whether legal aid, a title clinic, or a housing counselor can help. If the issue is repair scope, ask whether a smaller emergency repair, weatherization, accessibility program, or nonprofit repair program may fit.
For a step-by-step response to a denial, see the HomeRepairGrants.org denial guide. If you do not qualify after review, use backup options before signing high-cost financing.
Phone scripts you can use
Script 1: City or county housing office
Hello, I own and live in a home in [city or county]. I need help with [repair problem]. Do you have an owner-occupied home repair, housing rehabilitation, emergency repair, or CDBG/HOME-funded program? If not, who handles that intake for my address?
Script 2: State CDBG or housing agency
Hello, I live in [town and county]. My local office does not have a repair program. Does the state fund any CDBG or HOME homeowner rehabilitation program in my area this year? Is there a local grantee, nonprofit, or regional agency I should call?
Script 3: HUD-approved housing counselor
Hello, I need home repair help and I am worried about paying for it safely. Can you help me understand local repair programs, foreclosure risk, liens, deferred loans, or contractor financing before I sign anything?
Script 4: Contractor before approval
I am applying for a local repair program. I cannot sign a contract or start work until the program approves the scope. Can you give me a written estimate only, with your license and insurance information, and wait for program approval before any work begins?
Backup options if CDBG or HOME is not available
CDBG and HOME are important, but they are not the only path. If the local program is closed or does not cover your repair, ask about these options.
Local and official options
- HUD-approved housing counseling: HUD says you can call 800-569-4287 or search online for a housing counseling agency. CFPB also offers a counselor search.
- 211: United Way says you can call 211 or use its 211 utility help search for local utility and related assistance.
- Weatherization: Weatherization may help with energy-related health and safety items, but it is not a general rehab program. Ask your state energy or community action agency.
- Area Agency on Aging: Older homeowners may find minor repair, fall prevention, ramps, or caregiver-related home safety referrals.
- Nonprofit repair groups: Habitat for Humanity affiliates, Rebuilding Together affiliates, community action agencies, faith-based groups, and local nonprofits may help with limited repairs.
- Disaster recovery: If the damage came from a declared disaster, ask whether CDBG Disaster Recovery or other programs apply. HUD has a CDBG-DR rehab page for disaster homeowner rehabilitation programs.
If you live in a rural area, also read the HomeRepairGrants.org rural repair guide. Rural repair help may involve USDA, state housing agencies, regional nonprofits, and local governments.
Scam and financing cautions
Home repair stress makes people vulnerable. A real CDBG or HOME program should not demand a surprise upfront fee to “release” a grant. Be careful with door-to-door offers, social media grant messages, fake government names, pressure to sign today, and contractors who say they can guarantee approval.
The FTC says homeowners should check licenses and insurance, get three written estimates, review a written contract before work starts, and avoid paying by cash or wire transfer. Read the FTC repair scam advice first. If you spot a scam, the FTC says you can report it online or call 1-877-382-4357.
Warning signs
- Someone says a federal grant is guaranteed if you pay a fee.
- A contractor wants you to sign over the whole program payment before work is inspected.
- A lender or contractor says not to read the lien, mortgage, or tax assessment paperwork.
- The offer came by text, social media, robocall, or a fake agency page.
- The person tells you not to call the city, county, HUD counselor, or family member.
For more scam warning signs, see the HomeRepairGrants.org scam warning guide. If you are considering borrowing for repairs, read the loan caution guide before signing. Some financing can create liens, payment shocks, foreclosure risk, or tax assessment problems.
FAQs
Can I apply directly to HUD for a CDBG or HOME home repair grant?
Usually no. HUD funds eligible governments and participating jurisdictions. Homeowners usually apply through a city, county, state, tribal partner, housing agency, or nonprofit running the local repair program.
Are CDBG and HOME programs only for seniors?
No. Many programs serve low- and moderate-income homeowners of different ages. Some local programs give priority to seniors, disabled homeowners, veterans, families with children, or urgent health and safety cases, but that is a local program rule.
Does 80% of area median income mean I qualify?
Not by itself. Income is only one test. The home must be in the service area, the repair must be covered, the program must be open, and you may need to meet ownership, occupancy, tax, insurance, title, inspection, and property value rules.
Why does the program want to inspect my whole home?
Federal funds can require property standards, code checks, lead paint rules, environmental review, and cost reasonableness. A small repair request can uncover other safety or code items that affect approval.
Can I use my own contractor?
Maybe. Some programs allow it if the contractor is licensed, insured, eligible, and approved. Others require bids or use an approved contractor list. Ask before signing any contract.
What if the program is closed?
Ask when the next intake may open, whether there is a waitlist, and whether another city, county, state, nonprofit, weatherization, disability, aging, disaster, or housing counseling resource can help sooner.
About This Guide
HomeRepairGrants.org writes practical guides for homeowners looking for safer repair help. This guide uses official federal, state, local, and high-trust nonprofit/community sources mentioned in the article, including HUD, HUD Exchange, HUD User, CFPB, FTC, USAGov, 211, and local program resources.
HomeRepairGrants.org is not a government agency, does not guarantee eligibility, and is not legal, financial, tax, medical, insurance, disability-rights, or government-agency advice. Program rules change by location and funding year. Always confirm current rules with the agency or organization running the program.
Corrections: Email info@homerepairgrants.org with corrections.
Next review: August 17, 2026