Your home is the single largest investment in your lifetime. It makes complete sense to maintain and upgrade your home, but sometimes you just cannot afford all that needs repairing. There are many programs that grant you money to do this necessary work at no cost to you.Where to lookThe federal, state and local governments are your best resources for home improvement or repair grants. Start with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development; their website at
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/home_improvements can show you the various programs available and how you can sign up. Your state, county or city website may also have valuable information. You could also check with your bank or home mortgage lender; they have a financial stake in maintaining the value of your home, and can be of assistance in helping you find free money for this purpose.There are many online resources for finding home improvement grants; just be careful to make sure that each program is legitimate before providing personal information. How do I qualify?Typically, these grant programs are aimed at people who do not qualify for home equity lines of credit or personal loans due to low income, bad credit or other factors. You must be able to show your ownership in the home and demonstrate financial need. There are other requirements that vary by program, but most require that the work is done by a licensed contractor. The staff of the program you choose can help you fill out the paperwork, and tell you what documentation you need to provide in order to participate. Once all the qualifications are met, you receive a check in the amount needed to pay the contractor, who then certifies that the work has been done before they can be paid.If your home needs significant repair, do not let a lack of funds stop you. There are plenty of programs out there who understand the importance of keeping homes in good condition.