This program is called the “Energy Efficient Mortgages Program” and can be used to make energy-efficient improvements in one to four new and existing homes. The improvements can be included in a borrower’s mortgage only if their total cost is less than the total dollar value of the energy that will be saved during their useful life. The cost of the improvements that may be eligible for financing as part of the mortgage is either 5 percent of the property’s value (not to exceed $8,000) or $4,000, whichever is greater. The maximum mortgage limit for a single-family home is $160,950, plus the cost of the eligible energy-efficient improvements. (Limits may be lower in some areas of the country.) Contact: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410; 202-708-1112; http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/energy-r.cfm
Income Eligibility: None
Friday, February 29, 2008
$8,000 to Improve Your Home So It Cuts Your Utility Bills
$5,000 Grant To Get Rid Of Lead Paint In Your Home
If you are living in a house or apartment that was built before 1978, you or even your landlord, may be eligible for grant money and other assistance to make sure that you do not suffer the effects of lead poisoning from lead-based paint. Chips or dust from this type of paint can be highly dangerous to humans, especially your grandchildren. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development operates the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program providing grants to state and local departments of housing to help homeowners and apartment owners eliminate the problems associated with lead paint. Contact your state or local department of housing to see if you qualify for free inspections, free guides or even free lead paint removal. To obtain information about the grant program, contact: Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, 451 7th Street S.W.,Washington, DC 20410; 202-708-1112; www.hud.gov/offices/lead/lhc/index.cfm
Income Eligibility: varies program to program but generally around $24,420 per couple. Contact a program near you to learn specific requirements.
Free Lights and Locks
Proper lights and deadbolt locks can provide needed safety for seniors or anyone for that matter. There are many programs that provide these products and their installation for free, or at great discounts. To find programs you may qualify for in your area, you must search: 1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, 3) your state government, 4) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations, as well as 5) your utility company. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way, and 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/. You can also contact you local area office on aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp.
Listed below is a sampling of the types of programs that are available around the country. They should give you an indication of the kind of help that may be available in your area, too.
- Free Grab Bars, Nightlights, Door & Window Locks For Seniors Up To $34,900
Home Secure Program, Los Angeles, CA
http://www.la4seniors.com/home_secure.htm - Locks And Lights For Seniors 60+
Tulsa Area Agency on Aging, Tulsa, OK http://www.cityoftulsa.org/Community/TAAA/ - Volunteers Will Install Locks & Motion Lights In Homes Of Seniors
RSVP Triad Program, Work With Law Enforcement, La Crosse,WI http://www.rsvplacrosse.org/voluntr3.html - Installation Of Dead Bolt Locks Or Locks On Screen Doors Or Windows For 60+ With Income Requirements
Senior Home Repair Service Champaign County, Urbana, IL http://helpbook.prairienet.org/new/w5157c5t.htm - Free Locks For Over 55 & Income Up To $27,150
Senior Locks Programs, Portland Police Bureau, Portland, OR http://www.portlandonline.com/police/index.cfm?c=30679 - Free Installation If You Buy The Locks
Lock Program, City of Euclid Social/Safety Services, Euclid, OH http://www.ci.euclid.oh.us/residentinformation/socialservices.cfm
Income Eligibility: Family of 2 - $30,000. This varies by program and location; contact your local program to find out specific income requirements.
Volunteers Will Fix-Up Your (or Your Mom’s) Home for Free
Many service organizations have organized community service days, where the town is beautified along with certain homes in need of repair.
Christmas in April is a national organization with over 185 affiliates that gather together volunteers to help rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners. The work is done for free with the goal being to provide a safe and secure home for those in need.
An example of a program in the Dallas area is the Volunteer Home Repair and Weatherization Program. This program provides home repairs that improve the health, safety, and energy efficiency of a home for low-income homeowners. Contact your city government, your county government and your local community development office to learn about local programs. In the Dallas area, contact Volunteer Home Repair and Weatherization Program, Center for Housing Resources, 3103 Greenwood, Dallas, TX 75204; 214-828-4390; Fax: 214-828-4412; www.chrdallas.org
Income Eligibility: Determined on a case-by-case basis.
Utility Discounts for Medical Devices or In-Home Patients
No matter what your income, you may be eligible for a discount on your utility bill if someone in your home is dependent on a medical device that uses electricity. Or if you need heating and air-conditioning to care for someone with special needs. To find programs you may qualify for in your area you must search 1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, 3) your state government, 4) local nonprofit agencies and local development corporations, 5) as well as your utility company. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area like: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way and, 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/. Listed below is a sampling of similar local programs around the country. You can also contact your local Area Office on Aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp. You should also seek out your local community action agency near you to see if they have a program to help you. You can find your local agency at www.communityactionpartnership.com/about/links/map.asp or by contacting Community Action Partnership in Washington, DC at 202-265-7546
A lot of Local Utility Programs can be identified on the web by going to www.hud.gov then choose your state under the title “Information by State.” Most state pages have a link called “Renting Help Page.” Click there even if you are a home owner. Most Rental for both renters and homeowners. Help pages have a link called “Help With Your Utility Bills” which describes programs for both renters and owners.
Listed below is a sampling of the types of programs that are available around the country.
1) 30% Rate Discount to Run Medical Equipment or Care for Paraplegic, Hemiplegic, Quadriplegic or MS Patient
Medical Equipment Discount Rate, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Sacramento, CA
http://www.smud.org/residential/services/med_rate.html
2) Rate Discounts for Life Equipment or Special Needs
Services For Medical Baseline and Life-Support Customers, Pacific Gas and Electric California
http://www.pge.com/res/financial_assistance/medical_baseline_life_t/
3) Pay No More for Extra Electricity to Run Medical Machines Heating and Air-conditioning for Patient
Medical Baseline Allowance, Utility Consumers’ Action Network
San Diego, CA
http://www.ucan.org/consumer_info/Elec_Bill/reduce_utility_bill.htm
4) Get 25% Discount on Utility Bills with No Income Requirement
Medical Residential Assistance Programs, Municipal Services Division
Santa Clara, CA
http://www.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/pub_utility/pu_help_paying.html
Income Eligibility: varies from program to program. Contact a program near you to learn specific requirements.
