HUD HOME Program: Homeowner Rehabilitation and Accessibility Help
HOME is a HUD block grant that many states and cities use for homeowner rehab grants and deferred loans, and accessibility work is an eligible cost.
At a glance
| Household income limit | At or below 80% of area median income |
| Home value limit after rehab | 95% of the area median purchase price |
| Local match required from programs | 25 cents per HOME dollar |
What it can pay for
- Major repairs to bring an owner-occupied home up to code
- Accessibility improvements for people with disabilities
- Roofs, heating systems, plumbing and electrical work
- Energy-related improvements as part of a rehab
- Help delivered as grants, deferred-payment loans, no-interest or low-interest loans
Who qualifies
- Homeowners whose household income does not exceed 80% of area median income
- The home must be the owner's principal residence
- After rehab, the home's value must not exceed 95% of the area median purchase price
- You must live in an area served by a participating city, county, consortium or state program
How to apply
- Call your city or county housing department, or your state housing agency, and ask whether it has a HOME-funded owner-occupied rehab program.
- Ask about the income limit for your household size and whether applications are open now.
- Gather proof of income for everyone in the household, proof of ownership and occupancy, and insurance and tax records.
- Expect an inspection and a written scope of work. Many programs bring the whole home up to local standards, not just one item.
- Review the loan or grant terms, including any lien and repayment rules, before you sign.
Watch out for
- HOME rehab often covers the whole house, which can mean more time, more inspections and more paperwork.
- Many programs use deferred or forgivable loans, so you may owe money if you sell or move within the affordability period.
- Some programs close once their yearly money is committed.
- A stand-alone accessibility program is allowed only if the home meets, or will be brought up to, HOME property standards.
What the HOME program is
HOME Investment Partnerships, usually just called HOME, is a federal block grant from HUD. HUD calls it the largest federal block grant to state and local governments aimed only at creating affordable housing for low-income households 1.
HUD sends HOME money to states and to cities and counties called "participating jurisdictions." They often work with local nonprofits 1. Smaller towns may get HOME help through their state or by joining a group of local governments.
Local programs can use HOME to build, buy or fix up affordable housing, help with rent, and more 1. For older homeowners, the most useful part is homeowner rehabilitation.
How HOME helps homeowners
Many states and cities run "owner-occupied rehab" programs with HOME money. These programs fix up homes owned by lower-income households.
HUD's guidance on homeowner rehab lists accessibility for disabled persons as an eligible cost 3. That can include changes like ramps, bathroom changes and wider doors, as part of a rehab project.
Help can come in different forms. The most common are grants, deferred-payment loans, no-interest loans and interest-bearing loans 3.
Who qualifies
Income
Your household's income must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income 2. Programs check income before giving help, based on what the household expects to earn over the next 12 months 3. HUD publishes the dollar limits for each area and household size, and your local program can tell you yours.
Ownership and living in the home
You must own the home, and it must be your principal residence 23.
Home value
After the work is done, the home's value cannot be more than 95 percent of the median purchase price for your area 23. This rarely blocks modest homes, but it can matter in pricier areas.
What a HOME rehab is like
HOME rehab programs usually look at the whole house, not just one problem. HUD guidance says a program focused only on accessibility is allowed only if the home meets, or will be brought up to, HOME property standards 3. So if you ask for a ramp, the program may also need to fix a bad roof or unsafe wiring.
That can be a good thing. You may get more work done. But it also means:
- A full home inspection
- A detailed list of work
- Bids and contracts handled by the program
- Inspections during and after the work
- More time from start to finish
The affordability rules
Programs that use HOME must protect the public investment. For homeowners, that usually means a loan or agreement that lasts a certain number of years. If you sell or stop living in the home during that time, you may have to repay some or all of the help 2. The exact rules depend on your local program.
Read these terms closely and ask:
- Is this a grant or a loan?
- Is it forgiven over time? How many years?
- Will a lien be placed on the home?
- What happens if I need to move to assisted living?
- What happens when I pass away?
How to find a HOME rehab program
- Call your city or county housing department. Ask, "Do you have an owner-occupied rehabilitation program?"
- Call your state housing finance agency or state housing department. Many states run HOME rehab programs for smaller towns.
- Ask your Area Agency on Aging or a Center for Independent Living. They often know which local programs are open.
HOME versus CDBG
Both programs are run by local governments with HUD money. HOME is only for affordable housing 1. CDBG can be used for a wider range of community projects. Many cities blend both into one home repair program, so you may not even know which one paid for your work.
Getting ready to apply
Programs that use federal money must document everything. You can speed things up by gathering:
- Income proof for every adult in the home, such as Social Security letters, pension and retirement statements, and recent bank statements
- Proof that you own the home and live there, like the deed and a utility bill
- Your homeowner's insurance and property tax records
- A list of problems in the home, with photos
- Any doctor or therapist notes about why accessibility changes are needed
If an adult child is helping, ask the program what permission forms are needed so they can talk with staff for you.
Tips for older homeowners
Be patient but persistent. Waitlists are common. Ask where you are on the list every few months.
Keep your paperwork current. Income documents may need to be updated if the wait is long.
Ask about emergency repairs. Some programs have a faster track for urgent safety problems.
Plan for the long term. If you might move in a few years, understand the repayment rules before you sign.
Common questions
What is the HOME program?
HOME Investment Partnerships is HUD's largest federal block grant to state and local governments aimed only at creating affordable housing for low-income households. Local agencies use it for rental housing, homebuyer help and homeowner rehab.
Can HOME pay for accessibility changes?
Yes. HUD lists accessibility for disabled persons as an eligible hard cost in homeowner rehab. Local programs choose whether to offer it.
What income do I need to qualify?
Your household income must not be more than 80% of the area median income. HUD publishes the dollar limits by area and household size.
Is HOME the same as CDBG?
No. Both are HUD block grants run by local governments, but HOME is only for affordable housing, while CDBG can also fund things like public facilities. Many cities use both for repair programs.
Do I have to pay it back?
That depends on the program. HOME help can be a grant, a deferred-payment loan or a low-interest loan, and programs must set rules to protect affordability.
Sources
- HOME Investment Partnerships Program — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Checked October 18, 2026.
- HOME Homeownership — HUD Exchange. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Chapter 4: Homeowner Rehabilitation Activities (HOME model program guide) — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Checked October 18, 2026.