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How to Get Help with Free or Cheap NC Home Repair

How to Get Help with Free or Cheap NC Home Repair

If you want or need to fix your home, you may be concerned with rising costs and not having the money for your NC home repair.  But don’t worry, we have found some help for repairing your home!

Get more information on home repair grants right here.

We found NC home repair help!

The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency may be able to help you with home repairs. They offer grants that could help with NC home repair for qualifying individuals, to make sure that your home is up to date and safe for you and your family. There are requirements you will need to meet when you apply for help through NCHFA.

If you have special needs or are elderly, and are below 50% of the median income, you could get a home improvement loan through the NCHFA’s Urgent Repair Program. The loan is a low-interest loan that has several payback options to choose from. Their Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation (ESFR) program helps finance major repairs for NC homeowners who are elderly or have disabilities and whose incomes are below 80% of the median for their area. Partnering local organizations determine if you are eligible and if so, contract and supervise the work.

The Habitat for Humanity Critical Home Repair program can help you if you’re low-income and willing to put work into helping repair your home. They will use professional contractors to make the actual repairs, but you may be required to put “sweat equity” into the home repair.

If you purchase a home in a rural area that needs some repairs, you could roll those home repairs into your mortgage with the USDA loan. The loan could help you repair your home or make repairs to the home you plan to purchase. You might also be able to use this option if you refinance in a rural area.

The USDA might also be able to help you with a loan or grant for home repair. You could get help with a loan of up to $20,000 or a grant of up to $7,500. These programs allow you to make valuable home repairs to make your home more safe and up to date. 

NCSU offers resources to help you find home repair and maintenance help, particularly after natural disasters.  The NC State Extension programs are all focused on enhancing NC citizens’ quality of life.

Get help making your home safe and energy efficient.

If your home is not energy efficient, you might qualify for assistance. Using the North Carolina weatherization options, you can make your home more energy efficient (lowering your energy bills!) by getting upgrades to your insulation, flooring and heating. The North Carolina program also offers the unique benefit of helping with storm preparation upgrades.

Were you affected by a natural disaster and need NC home Repair?

Whether it was Matthew, Florence, or another hurricane or natural disaster that has devastated parts of North Carolina, you could get help rebuilding your home. Along with insurance programs, the Red Cross, and other organizations, Rebuild North Carolina is at the forefront of home repair and rebuilding after a hurricane. You can get monetary help through Rebuild North Carolina. If they are unable to help you directly, they can refer you to other agencies that might be able to help!

You could get property tax relief in NC.

If you are 65 and older or disabled permanently, you might be able to get property tax relief through the homestead benefit. This could help you get $20,000 off or 50% off the total value of your home before it’s appraised for tax purposes. You will need to meet certain requirements to qualify for the program.

Are you elderly or disabled?  Specifically a disabled veteran? If you answered yes to either, you could get up to $45,000 off the total appraised value of your home. You will need to provide proof of your disability and proof of your home value to get the tax relief from North Carolina.

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Your county might help you with home repairs.

Depending on the county you’re in, you might be able to get help with NC home repairs through the county. Counties throughout NC offer resources and other options for you to make NC home repair a possibility. Many of these are offered in combination with beautification efforts through the county.

Buncombe County

If you’re in Asheville, you might be able to get help through the city with NC home repair. The city offers lower than average interest rate loans to provide you with the money you need for home repair in the city. You will need to meet certain requirements set by the city to get this help.

Caldwell County

Residents of Lenoir who need help with NC home repair could get it through the city. You will need to apply for either a grant of up to $1,500 or a loan of up to $10,000 to get assistance through the county. Funding may only be available at certain times throughout the year.

Cabarrus County

If you’re in Concord and you need to upgrade your home, you could get a grant from the county. These grants are only in amounts up to $1,000 and require you to provide detailed information on what you’re going to do to your home to make upgrades to it. You will need to visit the housing authority to qualify for help through the city.

Cumberland County

Cumberland County might work with low-income families and individuals to provide upgrades to your home. The funding they have available depends on the time of year and when they receive funds from HUD. It may not always be available.

Through their beautification efforts in the city, Fayetteville does certain things to help you upgrade your home. You will need to apply through the housing authority to find out if you’re able to get help through the city. They will have certain requirements you must meet to qualify for help.

Durham County

The Durham city beautification efforts could work in your favor if you need NC home repair. The city pays for certain home repairs and upgrades so residents can make their homes look nicer and make the entire city have a nicer feel. You will need to meet certain requirements to qualify for the program.

Edgecombe County

If you’re in Rocky Mount, you might be able to get help through the city. The program provides residents with grants up to $1,500 and loans to help with home repairs. You could qualify for the loan if you meet certain credit requirements. The NC home repair loan through Rocky Mount comes with lower interest rates than most traditional loans.

Forsyth County

Residents of Winston Salem might be able to get help through the city. You will need to apply for home repair financing through the city, but it could help you pay for a number of upgrades to your home. You will also need to meet certain requirements if you want to get approved for that financing.

Gaston County

Are you in Gastonia and need NC home repair help? The city could help you with a grant to make your home, and the city, look nicer. There are certain things the grant can and cannot pay for. You must provide the city with a detailed plan of what you want to do to make these upgrades to your home. You will also need to provide them with information on your income and your household size.

Guilford County

Greensboro City could help you upgrade your home by making necessary repairs to it. You will need to provide information to the city related to your home, your income and your household size. By meeting these requirements, you will be able to qualify for a home repair grant. The city might also offer low-interest loans to those who qualify.

Mecklenburg County

Charlotte residents might qualify for help with their home upgrades through the city. You can qualify for loans and grants through Charlotte to get help with your home. You’ll need to meet certain requirements to qualify for help.

New Hanover County

The Wilmington city council might be able to help you with your home upgrades. If your home is unsafe or it needs upgrades to make it better, you can get help through the city. You may be required to meet certain guidelines to get help through the city. Residents will need to provide information on the upgrades they’re going to do and the plan they have for their home.

Orange County

If you’re in Orange County, you might qualify for help with home upgrades. You will need to meet certain income requirements for grants and certain credit requirements for loans. By making these upgrades, you’ll be able to help make the area better.

Pitt County

If you’re in Greenville, you might be able to get help with your NC home repair. You will need to meet certain requirements to qualify for the program. To apply, you will need to visit the housing authority for the city.

Surry County

Some residents of Surry County could get help with their NC home repair funds. The county works with low-income residents and those who cannot get traditional financing to make repairs to their home. You will need to apply for the program through your local housing authority.

Wake County

If you’re in Wake County, you might be able to get help with your home repairs. You will need to apply for help through the county. You could also get help through your local housing authority.

Residents of Raleigh can get up to $10,000 in low-interest loans through the city due to beautification efforts. You will need to meet certain credit requirements to qualify for these loans.

Wayne County

Goldsboro residents might be able to get help through the city. If you need help with your NC home repair bill, you could apply for a grant through the city.

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Rachel O.

Sunday 11th of September 2022

I have a serious problem with my central air / heat system. The inner furnace coil has cracked and will not cool the house. I tried to seal with Flex tape , no good. Did not work. The hole is very noticeable but not very accessible. It actually heated up the house during our 90-100 degree days this summer. I have had to shut it down and put in fairly expensive and not very efficient window cooling units. 3 total and one window 3 way fan. What will I do for heat in the coming months? I have researched replacement of the coil pack which runs about $1200 not including installation. I am 63 and on Social Security Disability. No extra funds for this repair. I am beginning to panic that I and/or the pipes may actually freeze. Please provide any advice. I have had a check done a few years back and was told the freon needed a 'charge' but would more than likely completely render the coil inoperable, I was advised against it. I need help ASAP. Now what? I am currently collecting NC SNAP benefits due to low income. I am hopeful that I may qualify for some type of assistance with this matter. I have received my LIEAP for this season already, it did not go far, I am grateful for that help though. My electric bill has become outrageous and takes away from ability to pay other bills. Food $ does not go very far either. Again, I am grateful for the SNAP program being available to me. I will a return response with any information that could help me with this major / life saving repair. I also have a hot water heater problem. Seems to be holding up for now though.

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 13th of September 2022

Hi Rachel. If the resources listed above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see what else they can suggest.