Home Repair Programs for Low-Income Households

Keeping up with home repair projects can prevent small problems from becoming major issues and save you money in the long run. It also helps to ensure that your home is safe and able to be lived in by everyone who lives there. Many homeowners are tempted to take on DIY home improvement projects to save money, but not all of them can be done safely. It is important to know which projects are a good fit for DIY and which are best left to professionals.

Municipal home repair programs help lower-income households make needed repairs to their homes. These repairs often include electro-mechanical repairs like heating or cooling systems, carbon monoxide detectors, or electrical wiring; plumbing repairs such as leaky pipes or a broken water heater; accessibility retrofits for seniors or those with disabilities; weatherization upgrades to reduce energy costs; and landscaping and sidewalks/paving.

The vast majority of municipal programs (82 percent) use HUD income guidelines to determine eligibility. This is a crucial step to ensuring that the program is focused on helping people with the most need, rather than those who have already made significant improvements to their homes.

Experienced project managers understand the challenges of home remodeling and develop contingency plans to mitigate risks effectively. They also communicate with the client, making sure the scope of work is clearly defined. They stick to strict safety rules, offering a safe space for everyone involved and working hard to minimize accidents.