Resource List for Home Repairs, Modifications, and Energy Efficiency Improvements
We at PHFA strive to help borrowers find programs that fit their needs; however, some borrower's needs may be better met through other programs. Below is a list of additional grant and/or loan programs that may be able to help you make modifications/repairs to your home.
County Programs – offer assistance with home repairs and accessibility modifications. Funds may be available and may include: HOME, CDBG, Act 137 Funds and PA Accessible Housing Program. For more information, search the blue, government pages of your phone book. Often the right office is a "Redevelopment Authority," a "Housing and Redevelopment Authority or Agency," "Weatherization Program" or a "Planning Office
Weatherization – is a county or regional program that provides grants for specific energy efficiency and heat related repairs. Local weatherization programs can be found at http://sedawx.nonprofitoffice.com.
Keystone HELP – is Pennsylvania's special low rate, low payment financing program for energy efficiency home improvements. Visit Keystone HELP® to find loan and rebate programs.
State Tax Credits – PHFA is not aware of state tax credits, however encourages you to research their availability through the Commonwealth's Department of Revenue Web site or you may contact your local representative's office.
Federal Tax Credits – assistance may be available for energy efficiency work, depending on the type of work and the year completed. PHFA does not provide tax guidance, however we encourage you to determine if your home qualifies for these credits by visiting www.energystar.gov.
U.S. Rural Development Agency (USRDA) – offers loans and/or grants to assist individuals in rural areas. Funding may be available through Rehabilitation Loans that have a one percent interest rate and offer up to $20,000. There is also very limited grant funding available for senior citizens in amounts up to $7,500. If you live in a rural area, call the state office at 717.237.2299 and ask for help to determine which regional office you should contact or visit the USRDA Web site.
Home Accessibility for People who are Elderly or Disabled:
Self Determination Housing Project (SDHP) – is a non-profit organization that works to expand housing options for people with disabilities throughout the State. SDHP contracts with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to provide a comprehensive home modification program to low and moderate-income Pennsylvanians with physical and sensory disabilities living in areas of the state that are not covered by the PA Accessible Housing Program. For more information call SDHP at 1.877.550.7347 or e-mail Celia Michl.
PA Accessible Housing Program – provides grants to local entities to carry out home modification programs that will enable low and moderate-income persons with permanent disabilities to make their current home more accessible. For more information, contact your local housing authority.
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) – is committed to providing borrowers with low interest loans so they can afford home modifications and devices that make their lives easier, more productive, and more independent. They offer loan rates at 4.5% and up to $60,000. For more information, contact PATF at 1.888.744.1938.
Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) – a State agency responsible for helping persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain and keep employment. Services may include diagnostic services, vocational evaluation, guidance and counseling, restoration, rehabilitation technology, training and placement. OVR helps individuals develop job-seeking skills and locate employment opportunities. OVR may pay for home modifications and assistive technology that are directly supporting an individual's return to paid employment. For further information, call OVR at 412.392.4950.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – is an organization that assists/supports veterans and service members. The VA has three types of grants available. The Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH), currently limited to $50,000, is generally used to create a wheelchair-accessible home. The Special Home Adaptations Grant (SHA) grant, currently limited to $10,000, is generally used to assist veterans with mobility throughout their homes due to blindness in both eyes, or the anatomical loss or use of both hands or extremities below the elbow. The Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant is available to eligible veterans and seriously injured active duty service members who are temporarily living or intend to temporarily live in a home owned by a family member. For more information about grants and other adaptive housing programs, contact your local VA Regional Office at 1.800.827.1000. Additional program information and grant applications (VAF-26-4555) can be found at www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) – each agency offers a wide array of programs to help disabled Pennsylvanians age 60 and older and their families to get the help and information they need. For information on what programs and services are available in your community contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and Office of
Long Term Living (OLTL) – are organizations that have programs available to help with home modifications
for accessibility and daily activities such as home maker services, attendant
care, and food security. For more information, call the Department of Public Welfare at 1.800.692.7462 or the Office of Long Term Living at 1.866.286.3636.
Center for Independent Living (CILS) – are non-profit organizations that serve throughout Pennsylvania. Each CIL provides four core services including information and referral, advocacy, peer mentoring and independent living skills training. CIL can offer home evaluations and help you find resources to pay for home modifications and assistive technology. To locate your local CIL, contact the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living at 717.920.0530.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society – an organization that offers grants to individuals diagnosed with MS. The grant amount depends on circumstances. There are no income or age guidelines. Examples of funding: assistive technology, home/vehicle modification, or paying for services such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy. Find a Chapter by calling 1.800.344.4867 and select option 1 for MS Navigator.
JEVS Human Services – private, non-profit organization that provides quality services that allow people who are disabled, aging, or both, to maintain their independence and lead productive, more fulfilling lives by helping them to manage and direct the delivery of their own care. To find examples of various home modifications and different ways of financing those modifications visit homemods.jevs.org. For more information on available programs contact JEVS at 1.800.610.7910.
Federal Tax Credits – You may be able to claim home modifications as medical expenses on an itemized federal tax return. Learn more from IRS Publication 502.
Other Sources of Information
Community Action Agency (CA) – assists families experiencing financial difficulties with many different types of help and referrals on a wide variety of concerns. Find your local CA agency by calling 717.233.1075.
Quick Start Housing Resource – PHFA and the Self-Determination Housing Project's Regional Housing Coordinators have compiled information about specific social service and housing resource agencies throughout the Commonwealth. Examples of these agencies are Habitat for Humanity, Residential Living Options, and United Way as well as many more. For more information visit the Quick Start Housing Resources on this site.