Home Repair Grants in New Hampshire

This plain‑language guide is for New Hampshire homeowners who need help fixing serious home problems—especially seniors, disabled homeowners, single parents, rural households, and veterans. You’ll see who may qualify, which programs to try first, and the exact steps to apply.

Last updated: December 2025
Checked against official sources as of December 2025. This is general information, not legal or financial advice, and we are not a government agency.

Who This Is For & Quick Eligibility Check

• Homeowners living anywhere in New Hampshire (mobile/manufactured homes included if you own the unit and have site approval).
• Households with low or moderate income; many programs look at a percent of Area Median Income (AMI).
• Homes with health, safety, or code issues (roof leaks, heating failure, electrical hazards, failing septic, accessibility barriers).
• People affected by storms or floods who may qualify for FEMA disaster assistance when a county is declared.

Quick check: If you own and live in the home, have limited income, and the repairs relate to safety, heat, roof, water, electric, or accessibility, you likely have at least one program to try. If you’re unsure where to start, call 211 New Hampshire and ask for home repair and weatherization referrals.

Top Programs in New Hampshire (Quick Table)

Amounts and eligibility can change. Always confirm details on the agency’s official page.

Short Federal Snapshot (with NH links)

• USDA 504 Home Repair (NH): In rural NH, very‑low‑income homeowners can get 1% loans and, for seniors 62+, grants to remove health/safety hazards. Start with USDA Rural Development’s NH/VT 504 page for forms and contacts. For background, see this concise Section 504 guide.
• Weatherization (WAP): NH’s Community Action Agencies deliver weatherization; you can reach programs through Southwestern Community Services (Cheshire/Sullivan), Strafford CAP (Strafford), and others. If you get Fuel/Electric Assistance, that application also flags you for WAP.
• FEMA after storms: When your county is declared (e.g., FEMA DR‑4771, DR‑4799), apply fast at DisasterAssistance.gov and check FEMA’s New Hampshire page for timelines and Disaster Recovery Centers. You cannot be paid twice for the same damage—insurance, FEMA, and other programs coordinate to avoid “duplication of benefits.”

New Hampshire Programs (Core Section)

1) USDA Section 504 Home Repair (rural NH)

What it covers: roofing, heating, electrical, plumbing, accessibility, health/safety hazards. The program offers 1% loans up to 20 years; seniors 62+ who cannot repay a loan may get grants strictly for health and safety. The state office lists current terms on USDA RD’s NH/VT 504 page.

• Type of help: Loan (1% interest, up to 20 years) and/or grant (62+ only).
• Money: USDA lists loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000; loans+grants can combine (higher caps may apply in declared disaster areas). Most awards are lower and depend on the inspection and need.
• Key rules: Must own and occupy, be very‑low‑income, and live in an eligible rural community. USDA verifies income and property status; grants must be repaid if the home is sold within 3 years.
• How to apply: Use the forms and contact on the NH/VT page. You can also see FEMA’s brief 504 overview.

Payment example: A $20,000 loan at 1% for 20 years is about $92/month (principal + interest). Taxes/insurance are extra and not included in this estimate.

2) Weatherization & Utility Energy Programs

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): Free energy‑saving work based on a home energy audit—insulation, air sealing, ventilation, health/safety fixes, and sometimes heating system work. Apply through your local Community Action Agency, such as Strafford CAP WAP or SCS Energy Conservation. Many households are referred from the Fuel/Electric Assistance application.

NHSaves Home Energy Assistance (HEA): For income‑eligible utility customers, utilities coordinate with the weatherization network to deliver efficiency upgrades; details and contacts are listed on NHSaves weatherization. NHSaves also notes a 2% APR financing option for approved improvements if you need to cover your cost share.

3) City & Town Repair Programs funded by CDBG/HOME

In New Hampshire, the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) runs the state’s CDBG program. Cities and towns apply to CDFA and then run local owner‑occupied rehab or emergency repair programs. Rules and amounts vary by town and funding year.

• Nashua HIP (Owner‑Occupied): 0% loans (deferred until sale/transfer) for health/safety and code issues like roofs, electrical, plumbing, and ramps; details are on Nashua’s HIP page and program rules PDF.
• Other municipalities: Many communities use CDBG for housing rehab or small emergency replacements. Ask your Town/City Community Development office if they have an owner‑occupied rehab program and when the next round opens, or contact CDFA’s CDBG housing page for guidance.

“Grant” vs. “loan”: City rehab programs often use a deferred or forgivable loan recorded as a lien. If you sell, move, transfer title, or sometimes if you cash‑out refinance within the lien period, you may need to repay part or all of it. Read your agreement.

4) Sewer/Drainage & Septic Help

• Manchester backflow prevention (CSO areas): The city reimburses 50% of eligible costs up to $5,000 to install a backflow prevention device that protects your home from combined‑sewer backups; see the CSO 50/50 program and cost details page.
• Small‑town projects via CDBG/CDFA: Some towns use CDFA CDBG funds for private sewer laterals or septic repair in specific projects; check your Town Hall’s Community Development and the CDBG housing page.
• Wells/Septic (non‑CDBG areas): Regional nonprofits sometimes assist with wells and septic, such as RCAP Solutions, or the national Water Well Trust (for rural homeowners). Programs change—call to verify current funding.

For roof or sewer‑specific tips, this readable explainer on roof repair grants can help you plan quotes, documentation, and timing across multiple programs.

5) Disaster Damage (FEMA + SBA)

When your county gets a federal disaster declaration, apply quickly at DisasterAssistance.gov, then follow directions you get for inspection and documentation. Check FEMA’s New Hampshire page for declarations and any open Disaster Recovery Centers. FEMA grants aim to make a home safe, sanitary, and functional, not “like new.” If FEMA refers you to SBA for a low‑interest disaster loan, complete that step—even if you decide not to accept the loan—because it can affect eligibility for certain FEMA “Other Needs” assistance.

No double payment: If insurance or FEMA paid for your roof already, a city or state program usually can’t pay for the same portion again. They can sometimes cover remaining unmet needs with proof.

City & County Programs (Selected)

Many NH municipalities offer owner‑occupied rehab or small emergency repair help funded by CDBG. Always check your City/Town Community Development or Planning pages and ask about “owner‑occupied rehab” and “emergency repair.”

Income Limits & Who Usually Qualifies

Programs use different income cutoffs. Some use 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), some use 50%, and energy programs often use State Median Income (SMI). Always check the program page.

• To look up your area’s numbers, use HUD’s Income Limits tool and select New Hampshire and your metro/county.
• Energy programs like Fuel/Electric Assistance and WAP often use state SMI and are administered locally; your Community Action office can confirm current thresholds.

Example only: In larger metros like the Manchester–Nashua area, the 80% AMI for a family of four is typically well into five figures and changes each spring; verify your current figure in HUD’s Income Limits tool.

Special Groups & Short Examples

Seniors (62+)

• Start with: USDA 504 grants (health/safety only) on the USDA NH page, city CDBG owner‑occupied rehab (e.g., Nashua HIP), and weatherization via your Community Action WAP site.
• Background tips for seniors are summarized in this plain seniors repair grants guide.

Example: A 70‑year‑old homeowner near the Lakes Region with very low income might combine WAP for insulation from SCS Energy Conservation and a small USDA 504 grant to fix hazardous wiring. Actual approvals depend on inspections, income, and funding.

Veterans

• Start with: VA adapted housing grants (SAH/SHA) on the VA’s disability housing grants page, then check city rehab (e.g., Nashua HIP) and weatherization through your Community Action office.
• To apply for SAH/SHA, VA explains the steps and form 26‑4555 on its how‑to‑apply page.

Example: A veteran in Hillsborough County with a new mobility need could use VA SAH/SHA to widen doors and modify a bath, then add WAP‑funded ventilation and insulation via the weatherization network if income‑eligible.

Disabled Homeowners

• Look for accessibility repairs through city CDBG owner‑occupied rehab (ramps, grab bars, bath modifications), plus WAP for health/ventilation safety.
• For sewer backup prevention in Manchester’s combined‑sewer areas, see the CSO 50/50 program.

Rural Residents

• USDA 504 is designed for rural addresses—use the USDA NH/VT page then confirm your address is eligible during intake.
• For well/septic issues, ask about options from RCAP Solutions or the Water Well Trust.

Families with Young Children

• Weatherization prioritizes households with children under six; apply through your local Community Action WAP program like CAPSC’s energy programs.
• In a disaster, apply fast via DisasterAssistance.gov and ask about Other Needs Assistance for essentials while your home is being repaired.

Step‑by‑Step Action Plan

Today (or as soon as you can)

1. Make a short list of urgent problems (e.g., “roof leak over kitchen,” “furnace failed,” “sparking outlet,” “sewer backup,” “no insulation”). Take dated photos.
2. Gather documents: photo ID; deed or title/tax bill; recent income proof (pay stubs/award letters); last year’s taxes; utility bills; contractor estimates if you have them.
3. Call your local Community Action to start Fuel/Electric Assistance and WAP. For Strafford County, use CAPSC Fuel/Electric Assistance; for Cheshire/Sullivan, see SCS Energy Conservation. If you don’t know your agency, dial 2‑1‑1.

This week

1. If you are rural and very low‑income, email or call USDA using the contacts on the NH/VT 504 page. Ask about loan vs. grant and what documents they need first.
2. If you live in Nashua, read the HIP eligibility and call the Urban Programs office from the program page. In Manchester CSO areas, complete the online application for the 50/50 Backflow reimbursement before work starts.
3. If your damage is from a recent storm and your county is declared, file at DisasterAssistance.gov. Keep receipts and photos.

This month

1. Get at least two written estimates from licensed/insured contractors. Don’t start work until the program gives written approval.
2. If energy work is recommended, ask NHSaves about any rebates and the 2% financing option listed on NHSaves weatherization.
3. Track all applications in a simple log (date, person, phone/email, what they asked for next).

Expect wait‑lists: Weatherization can take months. USDA 504 timing depends on funding and your paperwork. City rehab rounds open/close; watch city pages and call to ask about waitlists.

Plan B, Appeals, and Common Mistakes

• If denied: Ask for the reason in writing, whether you can appeal, and what to fix (missing document, income just over limit, title issue). Ask when to reapply.
• Consider alternatives: Combine city rehab with NHSaves incentives, or small USDA 504 loans. For wells/septic, ask RCAP Solutions about low‑cost options.
• Heirs’ property/title issues: If you inherited a home but the deed is not in your name, programs may pause your application. Contact NH Legal Assistance or the NH Bar Lawyer Referral Service to discuss clearing title.

Common mistakes (and quick fixes)

• Starting work before approval → Wait for the written grant/loan agreement.
• Missing documents → Keep a “repair folder” with ID, deed, income proof, insurance, photos.
• Not answering calls → Add program numbers to your phone; return voicemails quickly.
• Unlicensed contractors → Use licensed/insured pros; city and USDA require it.
• Scope creep → Stick to health, safety, energy, and accessibility unless the program approves extras.

Phone Scripts

Use these short, direct scripts. Adjust to your situation.

• Calling Community Action (Fuel/WAP):
  “Hi, I live in [town]. I need help with high energy bills and home repairs. I’d like to apply for Fuel/Electric Assistance and Weatherization. My heat/roof/electrical is a safety issue. What documents should I bring and how soon can I get on the list?”
• Calling a city rehab office (e.g., Nashua HIP):
  “Hello, I’m an owner‑occupant at [address]. I’m low‑income and need help with [roof/electrical/ramp]. Can you tell me if I fit your income limits and when I can apply? Do you use deferred loans or grants, and is there a lien period?”
• Calling USDA about 504:
  “Hi, I’m a homeowner in [town]; my address is rural. My income is about [$X] for a household of [#]. I need repairs for [hazard]. Could you check my basic eligibility for a 1% loan or, since I’m over 62, a grant? What forms should I start with?”
• Calling Habitat/Nonprofit repair:
  “Hello, I’m seeking critical home repair for safety/accessibility. I’m low‑income and live at [address]. Do you have a repair program or wait‑list? What documents do you need from me?”

FAQs (New Hampshire‑Specific)

Q1. Do NH programs help with mobile/manufactured homes?
Yes—many do, including USDA 504 (if you own the home and it’s on a permanent site), WAP via Community Action, and some city rehab programs (check local rules; for example, Nashua notes mobile homes are “generally not eligible” on its HIP page, but confirm in your city).

Q2. Where do I apply for weatherization?
Apply through your Community Action WAP program (for example, Strafford CAP or SCS Energy Conservation). If you apply for Fuel/Electric Assistance, check the box indicating you want weatherization—this flags you for the WAP list.

Q3. I’m a little over the income limit—any options?
Try utility programs on NHSaves (rebates and 2% financing for eligible efficiency work) and ask your city about rehab loans that allow moderate incomes. If rural, ask USDA whether a small 1% loan works. Also call 2‑1‑1 to see if any short‑term local funds exist.

Q4. Who helps after a flood or severe storm?
If your county is declared, start at DisasterAssistance.gov and check FEMA’s NH page for open Disaster Recovery Centers. Keep photos, receipts, and any contractor estimates. You can’t be paid twice for the same damage, so be honest about insurance and any earlier help.

Q5. My sewer backed up in Manchester—any help?
If you’re in a combined‑sewer area, the city’s CSO 50/50 Backflow program can reimburse 50% up to $5,000 for a backflow prevention device. Apply before work starts.

Q6. Are there statewide “grant checks” I can just claim?
No. Most help comes through specific programs with applications, inspections, and income checks—USDA 504, WAP, city CDBG rehab, NHSaves incentives, or FEMA post‑disaster. Use official sites like CDFA CDBG and USDA’s 504 page.

Q7. What about scammers?
If someone asks for upfront fees or says you’ve “won a grant,” be careful. Work through city, state, utility, Community Action, or USDA contacts. If unsure, ask the NH Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service or a HUD‑approved counselor on HUD’s New Hampshire page.

Q8. Will this money affect my taxes or benefits?
Ask the agency how their funds are treated and consult a tax professional. If you get SSI, SSDI, or SNAP, tell the program and ask if benefits could be affected.

One‑Page Checklist & Contact Summary

Resumen en español (corto)

Esta guía es para dueños de casa en New Hampshire con ingresos bajos o moderados—incluyendo personas mayores, con discapacidades, familias con niños, y residentes rurales—que necesitan reparaciones de seguridad (techo, calefacción, electricidad, accesibilidad, o alcantarillado).

Empiece con: (1) el programa de Climatización (WAP) por su agencia local de Community Action (por ejemplo, Strafford CAP o SCS), (2) USDA Sección 504 para hogares rurales con ingresos muy bajos (préstamos al 1% y subvenciones para mayores de 62) en la página de USDA NH/VT, y (3) su ciudad o pueblo para programas de rehabilitación con fondos CDBG (por ejemplo, Nashua HIP).

Si hubo un desastre declarado por FEMA, solicite en DisasterAssistance.gov lo antes posible—guarde fotos y recibos. Para descuentos y financiamiento de energía (2% APR) vea NHSaves.

Si necesita ayuda o intérprete, llame al 211 y pida referencias para reparaciones del hogar, climatización y asistencia de energía. Prepare documentos: identificación, escritura o factura de impuesto, comprobantes de ingresos, y fotos del daño.

Reminder and Where to Double‑Check Information

• Confirm income limits in HUD’s Income Limits tool.
• Verify USDA 504 terms and forms on the USDA NH/VT page.
• For weatherization and utility rebates, see your local CAP and NHSaves.
• For city/town rehab cycles, check your City Hall pages and the CDFA CDBG overview.
• After disasters, apply and track status at DisasterAssistance.gov and FEMA’s NH page.
• For general referrals or language help, call 211 New Hampshire.

Rules, amounts, and income limits change. Always confirm with the agency or a trusted housing counselor. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice.