Home Repair Grants in New Hampshire (2026 Guide)

Quick Help: Match the Repair to the Right Program

Where New Hampshire Homeowners Should Start

New Hampshire repair help is spread across utilities, nonprofit agencies, federal rural programs, municipalities, and a few targeted state programs. Applying to several matching programs at the same time is often smarter than waiting for one answer.

1. Deal with immediate danger. Use 911, the utility, insurance, 211, or municipal welfare before waiting for a repair program.
2. Call the Community Action agency serving your county. Use the official Community Action lookup if you do not know the correct office.
3. Call one specialty program the same day. That may be USDA, the lead program, New Hampshire Housing, ServiceLink, or a local rehab office.
4. Do not start work before written approval. Many programs will not reimburse repairs that began too early.

The five Community Action regions are Belknap-Merrimack, Southern New Hampshire Services for Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, Southwestern Community Services for Cheshire and Sullivan counties, Tri-County Community Action for Carroll, Coos, and Grafton counties, and Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.

Main New Hampshire Home Repair Programs

NHSaves Income-Eligible Weatherization

Type of help: Direct energy service, not cash.

The Home Energy Assistance program says it covers 100% of approved weatherization costs for income-eligible homeowners and renters. Work can include an energy audit, air sealing, insulation, health and safety checks, and replacement of some inefficient equipment.

Eligibility is based on total household income and household size. Apply through the Community Action agency for your county. The agency may place eligible households on a waitlist and may give priority to homes with older adults, people with disabilities, young children, or a high energy burden.

This is not a general rehabilitation program. A failing roof, major moisture problem, unsafe wiring, structural damage, or asbestos issue may have to be corrected before weatherization can proceed. Read the site’s separate weatherization guide for a plain-English overview.

NHSaves Home Energy Performance

Type of help: Rebate plus optional loan; the homeowner normally pays a share.

Homeowners who do not qualify for the no-cost income program may use the Home Energy Performance program. NHSaves currently advertises savings of up to $6,000 in rebates on approved improvement costs. An approved audit and program contractor determine the measures.

NHSaves also lists a limited-time 2% annual percentage rate loan for eligible program participants. Loan amounts run from $1,000 to $15,000, with terms from two to seven years. The lender makes the credit decision. Eversource customers at or below 100% of State Median Income may qualify for an enhanced no-cost offering; NHSaves currently lists household limits on its program page.

USDA Section 504 Rural Repair Help

Type of help: 1% loan, senior hazard-removal grant, or a combination.

The USDA Section 504 program is the broadest repair-financing route for very-low-income owner-occupants in eligible rural areas. Applications are accepted year-round while funds are available.

• ✓ The applicant must own and occupy the home.
• ✓ The household must meet USDA’s very-low-income limit for the area.
• ✓ The applicant must be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere.
• ✓ A grant applicant must be age 62 or older and unable to repay a loan.
• ✕ A rural mailing address alone does not prove eligibility.

Loans can be used to repair, improve, or modernize the home and remove health or safety hazards. The maximum loan is $40,000 at 1% fixed interest for up to 20 years. Grants are limited to hazard removal and normally have a $10,000 lifetime maximum. A standard loan-and-grant combination can reach $50,000. A grant must be repaid if the property is sold within three years.

Check both the address and current income limit in USDA’s eligibility system. New Hampshire applicants can call the Vermont/New Hampshire housing team at 1-603-223-6035 or email HousingVT.NH@usda.gov. USDA may require title information, income proof, an inspection, and repair estimates. Review the site’s Section 504 guide before applying. For a leaking or failed roof, also check the roof repair guide.

Lead and Healthy Homes Funding

Type of help: Federal grant, owner match, and possible 0% deferred state loan.

New Hampshire Housing’s Lead and Healthy Homes program serves pre-1978 properties. For an owner-occupied single-family home, a child under age six or a pregnant person must live in the home.

The federal grant route requires household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income and a minimum 10% owner match. Up to $17,000 per unit may be available for lead work, with about $3,000 more per unit for other healthy-homes hazards. Federal grant funds do not have to be repaid, but the match and program conditions still apply.

The owner must apply for the federal grant first. A single-family owner-occupant at or below 100% of Area Median Income may then be considered for a state loan of up to $100,000. The state loan is 0% interest and deferred until the property is sold or transferred. Exact 2026 dollar income limits vary by location and household size; use New Hampshire Housing’s current income table rather than an old statewide figure.

Manchester residents should call 1-603-792-6726. Nashua residents can call 1-603-589-3071 or 1-603-589-3085. Sullivan County residents can call 1-603-781-4304. Other New Hampshire residents can call the statewide intake specialist at 1-603-310-9387.

Targeted New Hampshire Housing Programs

Emergency Home Repair Loan

Type of help: Repayable loan for a narrow group.

Current New Hampshire Housing mortgage borrowers may qualify for the Emergency Home Repair Loan when an uninsured repair affects the livability of the home. The current program page lists up to $25,000, an affordable interest rate, and a term of up to 15 years. Call 1-800-649-0470 before hiring a contractor.

This is not available to every New Hampshire homeowner. It is for current New Hampshire Housing borrowers, and the agency decides whether the repair is a qualifying emergency.

Voucher Homeowner Repair Grant

Type of help: Small matching grant for current Housing Choice Voucher homeowners.

New Hampshire Housing still posts rules for a narrow Home Repair Grant for homeowners participating in its Housing Choice Voucher homeownership program. The program rules describe an 8-to-1 matching grant up to $4,000 for health, safety, structural, system, accessibility, or energy work.

Applicants must generally be at or below 80% of Area Median Income, be current on the mortgage, complete required financial training, show match funds, and provide repair estimates. The grant is paid to vendors, not handed to the homeowner. Because this is a funding-dependent program with older posted rules, current voucher homeowners should call Rental Assistance at 1-800-439-7247 and ask whether 2026 funds and applications are available.

City and Town Repair Programs

Local Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money can support owner-occupied rehabilitation, but homeowners usually do not apply to the federal or state agency. A city, town, county, or nonprofit must run an active local program.

Nashua Housing Improvement Program

Type of help: 0% deferred loan.

Nashua’s Housing Improvement Program provides owner-occupants with 0% loans for code, health, safety, and accessibility work. Examples include roofs, electrical systems, plumbing, heating, broken sewer lines, and wheelchair ramps.

The maximum is $40,000 for a single-family home. For a small owner-occupied multifamily property, the city lists $40,000 plus $5,000 for each added unit. The owner must live at the property, meet low- or moderate-income rules, and have no more than four units. Mobile homes are generally ineligible. The city’s application describes the assistance as deferred, so ask exactly when repayment becomes due and whether a mortgage or lien will be recorded.

Use the owner application or call Urban Programs at 1-603-589-3085. The site’s sewer repair guide may help you prepare questions about a failed private line.

Dover and Smaller Municipalities

Dover’s Community Development office manages housing rehabilitation work, scopes, bidding, contracts, and inspections when local funds are available. Call Planning and Community Development at 1-603-516-6008 and ask whether an owner-occupied rehabilitation loan is accepting applications in the current plan year.

Outside the direct HUD entitlement cities, municipalities can seek housing rehabilitation money through the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority. Its CDBG program supports rehabilitation for low- and moderate-income households, but the town or its partner applies. Ask your town administrator or planning office whether it has an active owner-occupied rehab project, a waiting list, or plans to apply in the next funding round.

Accessibility, Veteran, and Volunteer Repair Routes

Choices for Independence Accessibility Services

Type of help: Medicaid-authorized home modification service, not a general repair grant.

New Hampshire’s Choices for Independence waiver can cover environmental accessibility services for an eligible participant. State rules list ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, electronic aids, and other approved adaptations needed for health and safety. The program does not pay for unrelated remodeling or general repairs beyond what the approved adaptation requires.

The person must meet Medicaid financial rules, need nursing-facility level care, and have the modification approved in the care plan. Review the state’s CFI rules and call ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412. The federal ServiceLink listing confirms the statewide number.

For other mobility work, see the site’s stairs repair guide. A doctor’s or therapist’s note can help explain why the change is needed, but it does not guarantee payment.

Veteran Home Modification Help

Type of help: VA grant or health benefit for eligible veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers adapted housing grants for certain veterans and service members with qualifying permanent service-connected disabilities. For federal fiscal year 2026, the maximum is $126,526 for a Specially Adapted Housing grant and $25,350 for a Special Home Adaptation grant.

The VA’s HISA benefit can pay for medically necessary improvements such as ramps, roll-in showers, accessible sinks, and plumbing or electrical work needed for medical equipment. The lifetime limit is generally $6,800 for a service-connected condition and $2,000 for a non-service-connected condition. A VA prescription, application, itemized estimate, and photos are required.

New Hampshire veterans can also ask local Habitat affiliates whether they participate in veteran or critical-repair work. Start with the site’s veteran repair guide and Habitat’s New Hampshire directory. Local availability, cost-sharing, and waitlists vary.

How to Apply Without Losing Time

1. Write one clear repair summary. State what failed, when it failed, why it is unsafe, and whether heat, water, electricity, sanitation, or access is affected.
2. Photograph the problem. Take wide and close photos. Keep storm, insurance, inspection, and contractor records.
3. Check insurance first when appropriate. Programs often require proof that insurance will not pay.
4. Make two calls. Call Community Action or 211 for broad routing, then call the specialty program that best matches the repair.
5. Ask before getting bids. Some programs require two or three estimates, prequalified contractors, or a program-written scope.
6. Submit a complete file. Missing income, title, mortgage, tax, or insurance papers can stop review.
7. Get approval in writing. Do not sign a contractor agreement or begin work until the program says it is allowed.

Documents to Gather

• Photo identification for the applicant
• Deed or other proof of ownership
• Proof that the home is the primary residence
• Income records for every household member
• Recent mortgage statement and property tax bill
• Homeowners insurance declaration page and claim decision, if relevant
• Utility bills and fuel-use records for energy programs
• Photos, inspection reports, service reports, and repair estimates
• Proof of age for an age-based grant
• Medical or mobility documentation for an accessibility request
• For lead work, household ages and proof of pregnancy when applicable

Waitlists, Inspections, Liens, and Denials

Approval rarely means immediate construction. Weatherization may have a priority list. USDA must confirm rural and income eligibility. Lead work requires testing, a scope, contractor controls, clearance, and often temporary relocation. Local CDBG programs may depend on an annual allocation.

Before signing, ask whether the assistance creates a lien, mortgage, affordability period, owner match, resale obligation, or repayment at sale or transfer. Ask who selects the contractor, who pays for permits, who approves change orders, and what happens if the final cost is higher than the award.

If denied, ask for the reason in writing. Then switch to the next lane. A non-rural address may still fit a city program. A roof that blocks weatherization may fit USDA or a local rehab loan. A person who does not qualify for general repair help may qualify for a disability adaptation or VA benefit.

New Hampshire’s regular 2026 Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief filing period ended June 30, 2026. The Department of Revenue Administration may accept a late claim through November 1 only in limited cases involving accident, mistake, misfortune, or a federal tax extension. This is tax relief, not repair money, but eligible owners can check the state relief page.