Aging in Place Grants

Nonprofit Home Repair Programs for Older Adults (Rebuilding Together, Habitat and More)

Updated October 18, 2026 · By the Aging in Place Grants research desk · How we research

Volunteer-powered nonprofits like Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity repair and adapt homes for lower-income older homeowners, often at little or no cost.

At a glance

Key amounts (check the source for the current figure)
Rebuilding Together affiliatesMore than 100 in 38 states and D.C.

What it can pay for

  • Grab bars, stair rails and comfort-height toilets
  • Wheelchair ramps and entry repairs
  • Walk-in showers and accessible sinks and toilets (some affiliates)
  • Roof, siding, porch and floor repairs
  • Heating and cooling repairs, windows and doors
  • Better lighting and smoke alarm installation

Who qualifies

  • Usually homeowners; some affiliates also help renters
  • Rebuilding Together: household income typically at or below 80% of area median income
  • Habitat aging-in-place programs: generally low-income homeowners in their early to mid-60s or older
  • Many programs give priority to older adults, veterans, people with disabilities and families with children
  • Each local affiliate sets its own rules and service area

How to apply

  1. Use Rebuilding Together's 'Find Your Local Affiliate' map and Habitat for Humanity's affiliate search to see who serves your area.
  2. Call or apply online with each local group. Ask what repairs they do, the income limit, and whether there is a waitlist or application season.
  3. Ask your Area Agency on Aging which local nonprofits do home repair; many work closely together.
  4. Be ready to show proof of income, ownership and homeowner's insurance.
  5. Expect a home visit to scope the work before a project is scheduled.

Watch out for

  • Every affiliate is different. One may only do exterior work while another only does interior changes.
  • Popular programs fill up. Some take applications only at certain times of year.
  • Ask up front whether there is any cost, cost share or payment plan.
  • Real nonprofits will not pressure you or demand cash up front. Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door claiming to be a charity repair crew.

Why nonprofits are worth a call

Government programs often have long waits and strict rules. Nonprofit repair groups can be faster and more flexible. They use volunteers, donations and grants to fix homes for people who could not afford the work otherwise.

Two national networks are the best known: Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity. Many towns also have local "minor home repair" or "handy helper" groups run by churches, senior centers or community agencies.

Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together has more than 100 local affiliates in 38 states and Washington, D.C. 1. Most of the people it helps are veterans, people with disabilities, older adults or families with children 1.

Who qualifies

Household income typically must be at or below 80 percent of the local area median income 1. Each affiliate sets its own rules 1. Most help homeowners, and some help renters 1.

What they do

Rebuilding Together lists work such as 1:

  • Bathroom changes like grab bars
  • Wheelchair ramps
  • Roof repairs
  • Heating and cooling repairs
  • Window and door replacement
  • Mold removal
  • Painting and yard work
  • Smoke alarm installation

A local example

One Virginia affiliate runs a quick-repair program built around about 40 common fixes, such as grab bars, double stair rails, comfort-height toilets and brighter lighting 4. Jobs take about half a day with a $500 materials budget, and repairs are free to the homeowner 4. Priority goes to older adults, people with disabilities, families with children and veterans 4.

Not every affiliate works this way, but it shows how much a short visit can do.

Habitat for Humanity

Many people know Habitat for building new homes. Many Habitat affiliates also help current homeowners age in place.

Who qualifies

Local affiliates set their own age and income rules. In general, Habitat works with low-income homeowners in their early to mid-60s or older 2.

What they do

Inside the home, Habitat aging-in-place work can include safety bars, better lighting, floor repairs, an ADA-compliant toilet and sink, walk-in showers, and energy-efficient doors and windows 2. Outside, it can include entry ramps, roofs, siding, paint and porch repairs 2. Some affiliates do only interior or only exterior work 2.

Affiliates may also connect homeowners with partners for meals, groceries and rides to the doctor 2.

The CAPABLE model

Some Habitat affiliates use CAPABLE, a program developed at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. It combines occupational and physical therapy with home repairs and changes 2. Habitat reports that one study found an average savings of $22,120 per participant over 24 months, and a 30 percent drop in depressive symptoms 3.

How to find help near you

  1. Rebuilding Together: Use the "Find Your Local Affiliate" map on rebuildingtogether.org 1.
  2. Habitat for Humanity: Search for your local affiliate on habitat.org and ask about aging-in-place or home repair services 2.
  3. Your Area Agency on Aging: In a national survey, 62 percent of agencies that refer people to funding sent them to nonprofits like Habitat or Rebuilding Together 6. Your agency may know smaller local groups too.

How to make a strong request

Nonprofits often have more requests than they can fill. A clear, complete request helps.

  • Describe safety first. "My mother fell getting out of the tub last month" is more useful than "we want a new bathroom."
  • Be specific. List the two or three most important fixes.
  • Share photos. Pictures of steps, the bathroom and any damage help staff plan.
  • Have paperwork ready. Proof of income, ownership and insurance are commonly requested.
  • Be flexible on timing. Volunteer programs may schedule work around build days or events.
  • Stay in touch. If your situation changes, like a new fall or hospital stay, let the group know.

Questions to ask

  • Do you serve my town or county?
  • What is your income limit for my household size?
  • Do you help renters?
  • Is there any cost to me?
  • Do you have a waitlist or an application season?
  • Do you do bathroom changes, ramps, or both?

Avoiding fake "charity" repair offers

Scammers sometimes pose as charity crews or say they have leftover materials from a nearby job. The Federal Trade Commission warns about contractors who knock on your door, pressure you to decide now, or ask for full or cash-only payment up front 5.

Protect yourself:

  • Contact the nonprofit using the phone number on its official website.
  • Never pay in full up front.
  • Do not sign anything with blank spaces.
  • Ask a family member or trusted friend to review any contract 5.

Combining nonprofit help with other programs

Nonprofits are great for small and medium safety projects. They also fill gaps, like a ramp while you wait for a larger government grant. For bigger jobs, combine their help with city or county repair programs, USDA Section 504 in rural areas, VA grants for Veterans, or Medicaid waivers.

Common questions

Is Rebuilding Together free?

Some affiliates do repairs free of charge. For example, the affiliate serving Arlington and Fairfax, Virginia, says its repairs are free to the homeowner. Policies vary, so ask your local affiliate.

Does Habitat for Humanity help people who already own a home?

Yes. Many Habitat affiliates run aging-in-place and home repair programs for existing homeowners, including safety bars, walk-in showers, ramps and roof repairs.

What is CAPABLE?

CAPABLE is a Johns Hopkins-developed program that pairs therapy with home repairs and modifications. Habitat affiliates have used it, and studies cited by Habitat found lower depressive symptoms and an average savings of $22,120 per participant over 24 months.

Can renters get help?

Most nonprofit repair programs serve homeowners, but some Rebuilding Together affiliates help renters. Ask your local group.

How do I know a 'charity' repair offer is real?

Contact the group directly using contact details from its official website. Real programs do not pressure you or ask for full payment up front.

Sources

  1. How do I know if I qualify for help from Rebuilding Together? (FAQ) — Rebuilding Together. Checked October 18, 2026.
  2. Aging in Place FAQ — Habitat for Humanity International. Checked October 18, 2026.
  3. Habitat and the CAPABLE model — Habitat for Humanity International. Checked October 18, 2026.
  4. Do You Need Help With Home Repairs and Modifications? (Golden Gazette, April 2023) — Fairfax County Department of Family Services. Checked October 18, 2026.
  5. How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam — Federal Trade Commission. Checked October 18, 2026.
  6. Building Community Capacity to Serve Older Adults: The Role of Area Agencies on Aging in Home Modifications and Repairs (data brief) — National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Scripps Gerontology Center. Checked October 18, 2026.