Home Repair Grants in Maryland (2026 Guide)

Last updated: July 27, 2026

Maryland homeowners may qualify for help with a leaking roof, failed heating system, unsafe wiring, plumbing, septic problems, accessibility changes, lead hazards, weatherization, or other critical work. The right route depends on the county, household income, age, disability status, utility company, home condition, and ability to repay a loan.

This guide clearly labels grants, loans, deferred loans, tax credits, bill aid, and direct repair services. It also identifies closed or exhausted programs so you do not waste time on outdated offers.

Maryland Home Repair Help: Quick Reference

Start With Your County or Local Housing Office

Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development, called DHCD, funds several repair programs. Local governments often take applications, inspect the home, verify income, and match a homeowner to available money. A program listed by the state may not be open in every county at the same time.

Review the official Maryland repair program hub, then find your area on the local repair contact list. You may also call DHCD Special Loans at 301-429-7409 or 877-218-8101.

Main Maryland Repair Programs

Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program. The state rehabilitation program is a loan program for owner-occupied single-family homes. It may address roofs, mold, gas leaks, unsafe heating equipment, asbestos, vermiculite, lead, and other serious hazards.

• Type: Loan, not a grant.
• Income: Generally at or below 80% of area median income.
• Amount: Generally up to $50,000.
• Terms: Usually 0% to 6% for up to 30 years.
• Deferred option: May be considered at or below 50% of area median income.

Loans above $5,000 and deferred loans are generally secured by a mortgage or lien. A deferred loan may have no payment now but become due when the home is sold, transferred, refinanced, or no longer the borrower’s main residence.

Special Targeted Applicant Rehabilitation. The STAR program offers a 0% fully deferred loan, usually for households at or below 50% of HUD’s income limit. Some households up to 80% may qualify when other financing is unavailable. STAR is generally not offered in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford, Howard, Prince George’s, or Montgomery County. A local office must confirm the current limit and funding.

Indoor Plumbing Program. The Indoor Plumbing Program may help with unsafe or nonworking plumbing, wells, septic systems, drainfields, water or sewer connections, purification equipment, and needed bathroom work.

• Type: Loan at 0% to 6%, based on ability to pay.
• Income: Generally at or below 80% of area median income.
• Term: Up to 30 years.
• Special help: Deferred terms may be available, and part may be forgiven over time for some households below 30% of area median income.

The home must be structurally sound enough to justify the work. See our guide to sewer repair help for other possible routes.

Accessible Homes for Seniors. The senior accessibility program may fund ramps, grab bars, wider doors, accessible showers, lever handles, and some first-floor bathroom or laundry additions.

• At least one resident must generally be age 55 or older.
• Income must generally be at or below 80% of area median income.
• Loan: 0% deferred loan, usually due after sale, transfer, or refinance.
• Grant: Up to $25,000 when an eligible senior homeowner cannot qualify for loan funding.

The home must usually be the owner’s main residence and structurally sound. Tax liens, open bankruptcy, or foreclosure may block approval. A grant is not automatic because someone is older. See our guide to stairs and ramp help.

Healthy Homes Production Grant. The Healthy Homes grant can provide up to $15,474 for actual critical repairs in an eligible owner-occupied home. It is limited to Allegany, Calvert, Charles, Garrett, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties. Income must generally be at or below 80% of area median income, and homes with a child under age 6 receive priority.

Covered hazards may include mold, gas leaks, roofs, gutters, electrical dangers, plumbing, wells, septic or sewer problems, foundation or drainage work, radon, pests, and unsafe heating or water-heating equipment.

Lead Hazard Reduction. Maryland’s lead hazard program may provide a grant or loan, depending on location and ability to repay. Some target areas may not use an income limit; elsewhere, the limit is generally 80% of area median income. The property must need lead work, be structurally sound after repairs, and meet Maryland lead registration rules. It does not pay for unrelated remodeling.

WholeHome grant closed. The Homeowner Assistance Fund WholeHome grant opened January 22, 2026, and closed April 2, 2026. Maryland says all money has been used. Do not pay anyone who claims they can still submit a new application. Check the official WholeHome status page.

Heating, Cooling, Weatherization, and Utility Help

MEAP repair service. Maryland’s program can repair or replace a nonworking heating, cooling, or water-heating system for an income-eligible household. It is a no-cost direct service, not cash.

The current limit is 200% of the federal poverty level. As of February 10, 2026, monthly limits are $2,660 for one person, $3,607 for two, $4,553 for three, and $5,500 for four. Call 1-855-583-8976 to ask about the waitlist and backup repair programs.

EmPOWER Maryland. The EmPOWER program provides no-cost energy improvements for qualifying customers of BGE, Delmarva Power, FirstEnergy, Pepco, SMECO, or Washington Gas. Work may include insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling improvements, appliances, and lighting.

Annual income limits updated July 14, 2026, are $74,800 for one person, $85,450 for two, $96,150 for three, and $106,800 for four. Some households are automatically income-eligible through OHEP, SNAP, TANF, SSI, HUD housing, Medicaid, or another listed benefit. This is a direct service, not a check. Read our weatherization guide for more background.

Weatherization Assistance Program. Maryland’s Weatherization program provides no-cost work after an energy audit. It may include insulation, air sealing, water-heating measures, lighting, furnace cleaning or replacement, and safety corrections tied to weatherization. Priority may go to households with an older adult, person with a disability, child, high energy use, or high energy burden. Call 1-855-583-8976.

Office of Home Energy Programs. OHEP helps with heating and electric bills, not general repairs. It may provide bill grants, arrearage help, or Utility Service Protection Program safeguards. Fiscal year 2027 monthly gross income limits are $2,660 for one person, $3,607 for two, $4,553 for three, $5,500 for four, $6,447 for five, and $7,393 for six. A shutoff notice is not required.

Use the official OHEP application page or call 1-800-332-6347. Gather identification, proof of residence, Social Security cards, the last 30 days of gross income, and utility bills.

BeSMART loan. The BeSMART loan is not a grant. Current advertised terms include 6.99% APR, $5,000 to $30,000, and up to 10 years. Applicants generally need a credit score of at least 640 and debt-to-income ratio no higher than 50%. Work bought or completed before approval is not eligible.

Independent Living Tax Credit. The accessibility tax credit is not accepting applications now and is expected to reopen January 1, 2027. It is not upfront money. The credit may equal up to 50% of eligible accessibility renovation costs, with a $5,000 maximum. Keep invoices, receipts, and before-and-after photos.

Rural, County, and Local Repair Help

USDA Section 504. The federal USDA home repair program serves very-low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas who cannot get affordable credit elsewhere.

• Loan: Up to $40,000 at 1% for up to 20 years.
• Grant: Up to $10,000 for an eligible homeowner age 62 or older who cannot repay a loan.
• Combined maximum: Up to $50,000.
• Recapture: A grant is generally repaid if the home is sold within three years.

Applications are accepted year-round while funds are available. Check the address on the USDA eligibility map or call the Delaware–Maryland Single Family Housing office at 302-857-3595. Our USDA Section 504 guide explains the process.

Prince George’s County. The county’s repair programs include HOPP services up to $30,000, or up to $50,000 for some households below 50% of area median income. Eligible work may include roofs, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, water heaters, and accessibility. HRAP may offer a 0% loan up to $60,000 with no monthly payment. Call Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland at 301-990-0014, extension 19.

Montgomery County. Montgomery HARP provides free accessibility modifications through Habitat and Rebuilding Together. The home must generally be owner-occupied for at least one year, and a permanent resident must be age 65 or older or have a disability. Income must be at or below 80% of area median income, with priority at 50% or below. Call 301-947-9400 or 301-990-0014, extension 19. The county’s general single-family rehabilitation loan program is not accepting new applications until further notice.

Frederick County. The county’s repair programs include an Emergency Rehabilitation Program with a 0% deferred loan up to $15,000 and a Senior Rehabilitation Grant up to $15,000 for eligible very-low-income senior homeowners. Call 301-600-3531.

Anne Arundel County. The septic assistance fund may cover 50% to 100% of an eligible failed sewage disposal repair, up to $15,000. The owner must live in the home and complete a financial review. Funding is first come. Call 410-222-7189. Ask for current income limits because the online chart is old.

Baltimore City and other counties. Baltimore City offers rehabilitation loans for code repairs and wheelchair accessibility through its housing repair office; call 410-396-3023. Elsewhere, use the state local-contact list and ask about county funds, federal block grants, emergency repair waitlists, and nonprofit partners.

Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers can also call Maryland Access Point at 1-844-627-5465. MAP is a referral service, not a repair grant.

How to Apply and What to Gather

Common documents include:

• Photo identification and Social Security cards.
• Deed or other proof of ownership.
• Mortgage statement, property tax status, and insurance page.
• Pay stubs, Social Security or pension letters, benefit letters, bank statements, and tax returns when requested.
• Utility bills, shutoff notices, and photos of damage.
• Inspection, code, medical, fire, utility, or contractor reports.
• Probate, trust, divorce, life-estate, co-owner, or heir documents when title is complicated.

Delays, Denials, Contractor Rules, and Scams

Common problems include unclear title, unpaid property taxes, missing insurance, mortgage delinquency, liens, open bankruptcy, foreclosure, income above the limit, cosmetic work, a project that costs more than the program can support, or work started before approval. Funding may also be exhausted even when a household meets the rules.

One source may cover only part of a project. Weatherization might handle insulation and heating safety while a county loan handles the roof. Our list of home improvement programs may help identify backup categories.

Maryland home improvement contractors must be licensed. Check the contractor and read MHIC consumer advice. Call the Maryland Home Improvement Commission at 410-230-6231 or 1-888-218-5925.

• Use a written contract with scope, materials, dates, price, and payment schedule.
• Maryland generally limits the down payment to one-third of the contract price.
• Confirm liability insurance and permits.
• Do not sign blanks or transfer insurance proceeds to a contractor.
• Do not start work until the assistance program gives written approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

About This Guide

This guide was prepared to help Maryland homeowners understand home repair grants, loans, deferred loans, energy services, tax credits, and local assistance. Details were checked against Maryland agencies, county governments, USDA Rural Development, and other official sources.