Home Repair Grants in Nebraska

Who This Is For & Quick Eligibility Check

If any of these fit you, keep reading:

• You own and live in a Nebraska home that needs basic safety or accessibility repairs.
• Your income is low for your area (check with HUD’s income limits tool).
• You live in a rural town or countryside (look up your address on USDA’s property eligibility map from the Nebraska program page).
• You have disaster damage in a declared area (see FEMA’s DisasterAssistance portal).

Tip: Unsure where to start? Call Nebraska 211 and ask for “home repair programs for low‑income homeowners.” They can refer you to city, county, and nonprofit options near you.

Top Programs in Nebraska (Quick Table)

Amounts above are examples only; actual awards depend on inspection, your income, and funding. Always confirm details on the official program page.

Short Federal Snapshot (with Nebraska links)

USDA 504 Home Repair in Nebraska

USDA’s 504 program can fund essential repairs for very‑low‑income rural homeowners; grants are only for age 62+ and health/safety hazards. Nebraska’s contact list and forms are on the state’s 504 page, and you can confirm your address on USDA’s eligibility site. For a plain‑English overview, see this Section 504 guide.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Nebraska

Nebraska’s Weatherization is run by the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE). Apply through local community action agencies listed on the state WAP page or the Energy Office’s weatherization portal. Weatherization focuses on insulation, air sealing, and safe heating, not cosmetic work.

FEMA Disaster Help (when counties are declared)

If your county is in a presidentially declared disaster and you have uninsured or under‑insured damage, you can apply for FEMA’s Individuals & Households Program on DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800‑621‑3362. See FEMA’s IHP overview and Nebraska referrals on FEMA’s state page. Remember: no duplication of benefits—insurance and FEMA cannot pay for the same damage.

Nebraska Programs (Core Section)

1) LIHEAP + Emergency Heating/Cooling Repairs

Nebraska’s LIHEAP can help with one‑time heating or cooling payments, crisis aid, and small emergency repairs (for example, basic furnace or A/C fixes). Details, income rules (typically ≤150% FPL), and how to apply are on DHHS’s Energy Assistance page. Larger Heating and Cooling Repair and Replacement (HCRRA) help—up to about $5,000—is coordinated by DWEE; start at the same LIHEAP page and follow the HCRRA instructions.

Money type: bill assistance and limited repair help. Some parts are reimbursements or paid directly to contractors/utilities; save your receipts and do not start major work before approval.

2) Nebraska Weatherization (free energy upgrades)

If your household is at or below 200% of the poverty level, WAP can add insulation, seal air leaks, and improve heating safety at no cost. Find your local provider via DWEE’s WAP page or the Energy Office’s weatherization site. Wait lists are common; apply early.

3) City of Lincoln Home Repair & Healthy Homes

Lincoln offers 0% interest rehab loans (some deferred) for owner‑occupied homes within city limits. See income limits (50–80% of AMI) and the two loan tracks on Lincoln’s Home Rehabilitation page. The City also received Healthy Homes funds to address hazards like mold, radon, and electrical safety—see the Healthy Homes Grant page for status and scope.

Money type: 0% direct or deferred loans (a lien applies). Some special grants (e.g., Healthy Homes) may be available while funds last; check the City’s housing pages for current openings.

4) Lincoln Heat Pump Incentives (stackable)

Income‑eligible Lincoln homeowners may pair a $3,000 City incentive with LES’s $800 Sustainable Energy Program incentive, applied on the contractor’s invoice. Read the steps on LES’s SEP page and the City’s heat pump page (approval is needed before installation).

5) City of Omaha: Emergency Repair for Critical Hazards

Omaha’s Emergency Repair Program addresses urgent items—furnaces, water heaters, exterior service lines, and similar hazards—for very‑low‑income owner‑occupants. Start on Planning’s for homeowners page or call the Planning Housing & Community Development office. If you’re not sure where to go, Nebraska 211 can screen and refer you to the City intake.

Money type: generally a grant for emergency items. You must be current on property taxes, meet income limits, and live in the home.

6) Habitat & Nonprofits with Repair Help

• Habitat for Humanity of Omaha: 0% repair loans, Habitat manages contractors; see project list on Habitat Omaha. Veterans can apply through the same form.
• Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln: 0% loans for critical repairs, accessibility, and energy work—see Habitat Lincoln repairs.
• Project Houseworks (Douglas/Sarpy, seniors 60+): free repairs/modifications; check eligibility on How to Qualify.

7) Regional Owner‑Occupied Rehabilitation (outside big cities)

Several community action and regional groups administer state‑funded rehab in specific counties, often as conditional grants or 0% loans. Examples include SENCA’s Owner‑Occupied Rehab (SE Nebraska) and the City of Norfolk’s Owner Rehab Program. Smaller cities also run owner‑occupied rehab during funding rounds; ask your City Hall for “CDBG/HOME owner‑occupied rehab.”

8) Utility Energy Programs (helpful for certain repairs)

• OPPD EEAP: home energy upgrades for income‑eligible customers—see OPPD’s Energy Efficiency Assistance Program.
• LES SEP: rebates for high‑efficiency equipment; check the SEP incentives page.
• NPPD EnergyWise: rebates and low‑interest loans via EnergyWise.

9) Property Tax Relief (can free up money)

Nebraska’s Homestead Exemption can reduce property taxes for seniors, disabled homeowners, and some veterans. Rules and forms are on the Department of Revenue’s Homestead Exemption page, and the regulation details are posted in Chapter 45.

City & County Programs (selected examples)

Smaller towns often run owner‑occupied rehab with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) or Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund dollars during limited rounds (see DED’s NAHTF page). Call your City Hall or county community development office and ask, “Do you have an owner‑occupied rehab program open now?”

Income Limits & Who Usually Qualifies

Programs use different income tests. Some use Area Median Income (AMI), others use a percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Always check your exact limit on HUD’s income limits tool, then match that to your city/county program.

• Example (Lincoln): The City lists current AMI examples on its Income Limits page. For a 4‑person household, 80% AMI shows as $86,000 (effective June 2025; verify on the City page).
• LIHEAP/HCRRA: DHHS uses up to 150% FPL for most LIHEAP services; see the table on the Energy Assistance page.
• WAP: Nebraska Weatherization typically uses 200% FPL; confirm on the DWEE WAP page.

Note: Some programs use 80% AMI, others 50% or another cutoff. Use the official page for the program you’re applying to.

Special Groups & Short Examples

Seniors (age 60+)

Start with Project Houseworks in Douglas/Sarpy (free repairs for eligible seniors—see How to Qualify) and your local weatherization provider via DWEE’s WAP page. In rural areas, seniors 62+ can ask USDA about 504 grants for health/safety hazards on the Nebraska 504 page. For a plain‑language overview of senior‑focused options, see this seniors guide.

Example: A 70‑year‑old in South Omaha with a broken furnace could apply to the City’s Emergency Repair (critical items) and also ask Project Houseworks about no‑cost fixes. If still short, LIHEAP’s crisis section on the DHHS page may help.

Veterans

Disabled veterans with service‑connected needs should check VA housing adaptations (SAH/SHA) on VA’s Disability Housing Grants page, and apply using VA Form 26‑4555. In the Omaha metro, Habitat also runs veteran repairs via its home repair program.

Example: A veteran in Bellevue who needs a roll‑in shower can apply for VA SHA and also ask Habitat Omaha about a 0% loan to cover any remaining costs. If income‑eligible, WAP via the state weatherization portal can address energy‑loss issues.

Disabled Homeowners

Ask your WAP provider about accessibility‑related safety measures and talk with DHHS about Medicaid waiver home modifications (see DHHS’s Aged & Disabled Waiver). Nebraska’s Assistive Technology Partnership lists funding options on its Home Funding page.

Rural Residents

If your address is rural, start with USDA 504 on the Nebraska state page and apply for WAP through DWEE’s program page. Regional groups like SENCA (SE Nebraska) run rehab rounds posted on the SENCA site.

Families with Children

Weatherization often prioritizes households with children; apply via the state’s local provider list. If disaster‑related, file insurance first and then apply at DisasterAssistance.gov for FEMA help (no duplication of benefits).

Step‑by‑Step Action Plan

Today

• List urgent hazards (heat, electrical, leaks, structural). Take photos.
• Pull basic papers: ID, proof of ownership, a recent tax bill, income proof, and any insurance policy.
• Call Nebraska 211 and ask for “home repair help for low‑income homeowners.” Write down agency names and phone numbers.

This Week

• If rural: contact USDA 504 staff on the Nebraska 504 page and ask about the intake forms.
• Apply for Weatherization via DWEE’s WAP page. Expect a wait list—get in line now.
• In Omaha: ask City Planning’s Emergency Repair via the homeowners page. In Lincoln: submit the rehab application.
• Check LIHEAP crisis or repair help on DHHS Energy Assistance if heat/cooling is out.

This Month

• If you’re a senior in the Omaha area, complete Project Houseworks’ intake on How to Qualify.
• Ask your utility about rebates: OPPD’s EEAP program or LES’s SEP incentives.
• If you had storm or flood damage, apply at DisasterAssistance.gov and check NEMA updates on the State’s disaster pages.

Expected waits: Weatherization can take months. City rehab can take several weeks to process. USDA 504 depends on paperwork and inspection.

Plan B, Appeals, and Common Mistakes

• If denied: Ask for the denial reasons in writing. For city/state programs, ask if there’s an appeal or when the next round opens. For FEMA, use the appeal steps on the Individual Assistance page.
• Look at nonprofits: Project Houseworks (seniors program) and Habitat repair options in Omaha or Lincoln.
• Safe loan options: If you must borrow, ask about Nebraska’s Dollar & Energy Saving Loans through utilities like OPPD’s Energy‑Saving Loans.

Common mistakes (and quick fixes):

• Starting work before approval → Wait for written approval or you may lose eligibility.
• Missing documents → Use the checklist below; send complete packets.
• Wrong program → If urban, start with city rehab; if rural, start USDA 504 + WAP.
• Title issues/heirs’ property → Ask Legal Aid of Nebraska about clearing title or proof of occupancy/ownership.
• Unlicensed contractors → Programs usually require licensed pros; follow the program’s contractor rules.
• Duplication of benefits → Don’t accept two payments for the same damage; tell each program what insurance/FEMA already paid.

Phone Scripts (short and simple)

Calling WAP/LIHEAP (state energy help)

“Hi, I’m a homeowner in [city/county]. My heat/AC and energy bills are a problem. Can you tell me how to apply for Weatherization and if LIHEAP crisis or HCRRA can help with my furnace/AC? What documents do you need?” (DHHS info is on the Energy Assistance page.)

Calling a city/county rehab program

“Hello, I own and live at [address]. My home needs [brief safety issue]. I’m low‑income. Do you have an owner‑occupied repair or emergency program open now? What is the income limit and how do I apply?” (Lincoln’s details are on the Home Rehabilitation page.)

Calling USDA Rural Development about 504

“Hi, I’m calling about Section 504 home repair. I live in [town] and my home needs [hazard]. My gross household income is about [$X]. I’m [age]. Could you email the intake forms and tell me what else you need?” (Use the contacts on the Nebraska 504 page.)

Calling a nonprofit (Habitat/Project Houseworks)

“Hi, I’m an owner‑occupant in [city]. I have [safety issue], and my income is about [$X] for [Y] people. Do I fit your repair program? Is it a grant or 0% loan? What documents should I bring?” (Find Habitat’s info on Habitat Omaha or Habitat Lincoln.)

FAQs (Nebraska‑specific)

Do Nebraska programs help with manufactured homes?

Many do if the home is owner‑occupied and meets safety standards. WAP serves manufactured homes (see DWEE’s WAP page). USDA 504 may help if you own the home and site and it’s on a permanent foundation—confirm with Nebraska RD via the state 504 page. Some city programs exclude mobile homes—check the local rules.

How do liens and payback work?

City rehab is often a 0% loan or deferred loan with a lien. If you sell or move during the lien period, you may owe some or all. The City of Lincoln explains its 0% direct and deferred loans on the rehab page. Always ask, “Will there be a lien? For how long?”

I’m just over the income limit—any options?

Try utility incentives like LES’s Sustainable Energy Program, OPPD’s EEAP, or NPPD’s EnergyWise. Habitat repair loans are 0% and may allow slightly higher incomes; see Habitat Omaha or Habitat Lincoln.

How fast can I get help if my heat fails?

For emergencies, start with LIHEAP crisis/HCRRA on DHHS’s Energy page and your city’s emergency program (Omaha’s on the homeowners page). Keep copies of estimates and proof of the emergency.

What about property taxes? I’m falling behind.

Check the Homestead Exemption with the Department of Revenue’s homestead page and talk to your county assessor about deadlines. This won’t fix a roof, but it can free up money to maintain your home.

Title problems (heirs’ property) are blocking me—what do I do?

Ask Legal Aid of Nebraska about clearing title or documenting occupancy/ownership. Some programs accept alternative proofs—ask the program for options.

What if my repairs are disaster‑related?

File insurance first. Then apply at DisasterAssistance.gov if your county is declared. Keep in mind “no duplication of benefits”—another grant can’t pay again for the same damage already covered by insurance or FEMA. See FEMA’s IHP page.

USDA 504—loan or grant? What’s the payment?

Loans are 1% interest for up to 20 years. Example: a $20,000 loan at 1% for 20 years is about $92/month (principal + interest). Grants (for age 62+) do not have monthly payments, but the grant must be repaid if you sell within 3 years. See the Nebraska 504 page.

One‑Page Checklist & Contact Summary

Quick Checklist

• Write a short list of hazards (with photos).
• Check income using HUD’s income limits tool.
• Gather documents: photo ID, deed/tax bill, income proof (pay stubs/award letters), utility bill, contractor estimates.
• Apply to 2–3 programs at once (city/county rehab, WAP, USDA 504 or LIHEAP crisis if needed).
• Track: program, case number, contact name/phone, date submitted, next steps.

Key Contacts (save these)

Resumen en español (breve)

Esta guía es para dueños de casa en Nebraska con ingresos bajos que necesitan reparaciones de seguridad o accesibilidad. Empiece por: (1) llamar al 211 de Nebraska para obtener referencias locales; (2) si vive en área rural, preguntar por el programa USDA 504 en la página de Nebraska de Reparaciones Sección 504; (3) solicitar ayuda de climatización (Weatherization) mediante el programa estatal en la página de DWEE WAP (gratis).

En ciudades: Lincoln ofrece préstamos al 0% y ayudas para bombas de calor (ver Rehabilitación de Viviendas y el incentivo de LES). Omaha tiene un programa de Reparación de Emergencia para hornos, calentadores y líneas de agua (vea la página de Propietarios). En Douglas/Sarpy, Project Houseworks ayuda gratis a personas mayores.

Si hubo desastre declarado, solicite ayuda de FEMA en DisasterAssistance.gov. Si no habla inglés, pida intérprete al 211 o a la agencia. Guarde facturas, fotos y presupuestos. No empiece trabajos grandes sin aprobación escrita.

Reminder and Where to Double‑Check Information

• Confirm your income cutoffs with HUD’s income limits tool.
• Review the Nebraska USDA 504 contacts and current terms on the state program page.
• For free weatherization and health/safety energy fixes, see the DWEE WAP page.
• For disaster help (only after a federal declaration), use FEMA’s DisasterAssistance portal and check Nebraska referrals on FEMA’s state page.
• To find local rehab rounds in small communities, watch DED’s housing pages like NAHTF and contact City Hall.
• When in doubt, call Nebraska 211 for a fresh referral and ask for interpreter services if needed.

Rules, amounts, and income limits change. Always confirm with the agency or a trusted housing counselor before you apply. Loans are debt—make sure payments fit your budget.