Everything Texans Should Know About Elderly Assistance for Home Repairs

Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Program by the USDA

The USDA administers a slew of programs intended to keep residents healthy and happy in their homes so that communities remain strong. Through their Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Program (sometimes called the Section 504 Home Repair Program), Texas homeowners in rural areas can apply for a loan, a grant, or both to maintain and modernize their home, and keep their home safe.

Seniors may apply for 20-year loans of up to $40,000 at a fixed interest rate of 1% to make necessary repairs or revamp their homes. Also, a grant of up to $10,000 may be given to elderly Texas homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Qualifications to apply for either option include being a homeowner and occupying the house full-time, being unable to find affordable credit anywhere else, and having a household income that is below the specified limit in your county. Use this map to find the limit for your county. To apply for the grant, homeowners must also be 62 or older and unable to pay for the repairs needed on their own.

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Texas residents have access to multiple home repair resources through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Residents can visit the website to search for programs available by city or county.

One home repair program administered by the TDHCA is the Home Investment Partnerships program. The program assists those in owner-occupied homes with major repairs, and may even provide assistance to completely rebuild a damaged home if needed. The program helps low-income homeowners who have paid their property taxes on time, have proof of ownership of their home, and can provide a clear title.

For more info on this program and other home repair programs available to senior citizens in Texas, you can visit the THDCA program database.

Habitat for Humanity Texas

Habitat for Humanity offers a variety of home construction and repair programs, partnering with local organizations to provide affordable housing in low-income communities. There are multiple Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the state of Texas. You can find your local branch through the website.

One of Habitat’s goals is to help local residents age in place. Its Aging in Place program provides home repair assistance specifically to senior citizens. It combines a human services professional’s assessment with applicable home repairs, ensuring aging individuals can live safely and comfortably in their homes.

Habitat for Humanity ReStores sells used and surplus building materials at a discount. If you need to DIY a repair, buying the supplies for less can help you stay on budget and avoid overspending.

Texas senior citizens can contact their local Habitat for Humanity branch to find out which programs may be available to them.

Veterans Home Repair and Rehabilitation

Aging residents in Texas who are also veterans can search for home repair or rehabilitation assistance through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). The VA administers all government-provided benefits for veterans.

Some of these benefits include help with housing. Different programs may provide program participants with various options for housing. One such program is the disability housing grants for veterans.

These grants provide money for disabled veterans to buy, rehab, or build a permanent home. Applicants must have a qualifying disability to be able to participate in this program. The grant can provide up to $117,014 for disabled veterans who receive it in 2024.

Look for other ways the VA can provide housing assistance through the website.

Elder Options of Texas

Elder Options of Texas is an online hub for senior citizen resources in Texas. You can log on to the website and input your region to find all kinds of resources for local senior living.

For example, the site allows seniors to find reverse mortgage resources. Using a reverse mortgage, senior homeowners can take cash out of their home equity to fund any needed home repairs.

How to find county and city-specific home repair assistance for seniors in Texas

It can feel like a large task to search statewide for programs that help aging Texas homeowners get home repair assistance. Searching locally can help narrow down your search, and may even uncover hidden programs specific to your area. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for instance, provides a list of home repair programs available in the state.

Here’s how to find home repair help for seniors in these major Texas counties.

Harris County

The Harris County Community Development website provides a list of housing programs and services available to Harris County residents. One helpful program is the home repair program, which provides affordable housing and creates safe, suitable living environments for low-income, disabled, and homeless individuals.

Travis County

The Travis County government website provides residents with a list of social services, including home repair assistance. Residents may be eligible for free weatherization repairs, with the local government implementing standard energy-efficiency upgrades, including minimizing air leaks, adding solar screens, improving attic insulation, and sealing HVAC ducts.

The country also has a program offering free basic home repairs to eligible low-income residents. Repairs may include roofing repairs, HVAC updates, and improvements for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility.

Hidalgo County

Eligible low to moderate-income residents of any of the 17 member cities can apply for the Homeowner-Occupied Rehabilitation program in Hidalgo County. For more information and how to apply, homeowners can contact the county government by phone or email.

Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County has a number of programs available that help eligible homeowners make needed home repairs. The Housing Rehabilitation Program offers support to low- and moderate-income families, ensuring their homes meet Housing Quality Standards, the Southern Building Code, and the Council of American Building Officials (ABO) One- and Two-Family Building Code.

Brazoria County

Brazoria County has a few different homeowner assistance programs focused on rehabilitating or reconstructing properties. To qualify for this assistance, you must (1) have owned and lived on the property for at least five years, (2) be up to date on all property taxes, and (3) have a total family income that does not exceed the program’s maximum income limits. The maximum income limit for a family size of eight or more is $112,300.

Finding the home repair help you need in Texas

Texas has a wide variety of home repair assistance programs. Some help aging residents specifically, while others are available to a wider range of applicants.

If you are a senior citizen in Texas needing help with home repairs, compile a list of programs to apply for. Contact the local government in your city or county to find out if there are other programs not listed on their website.

DIY repairs can also be an option if you have a family member or friend who can help you. Check a local discount building store or salvage center for discounted building materials. Find more tips and tricks for increasing your property value on the HomeLight blog. If you’re curious about your home’s current value, give our Home Value Estimator a try.

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