Owning a home can be expensive. The cost of major repairs or home maintenance can stretch the budget of lower-income and seniors on fixed incomes.

Many agencies and organizations offer programs that provide financial help to homeowners. Most of these programs are available only to certain income levels or special needs groups such as seniors or the disabled. These programs typically provide grants, low-interest loans or special mortgage refinance programs to help homeowners. Programs are available to make necessary repairs, make the home more accessible to the elderly and disabled,  and increase energy efficiency.

Programs offered by City or County governments are usually available only to residents of that City or County. 

Home Repair Programs:

Custom Solutions Program - program administered by Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. that provides home repair grants of up to $4,500 per project to low income persons

Rebuilding Together Liberty - program using volunteer workers to help homeowners in Clay County when they are not physically or economically able to make needed repairs themselves

City of Kansas City Emergency Home Repair - program to help Kansas City, MO homeowners who cannot afford to make urgent home repairs.

City of Kansas City Paint program - provides provides free paint and supplies to eligible Kansas City, MO homeowners

Christmas in October - volunteer organization that provides needed home repair assistance to homeowners who lack the skills or resources necessary to undertake the repairs themselves

First Suburbs Home Equity Loan Program - low fixed-rate home equity loan program for home modifications to homeowners. Participating Cities in the Northland include Gladstone, Kansas City, North Kansas City, Riverside and Sugar Creek.

The DREAM Program (Excelsior Springs ONLY) - provides grants up to $20,000 to assist eligible households with minor home improvements, home rehabilitation, weatherization and other approved home repairs

Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance program enables homeowners to finance the cost of home major home repairs

Home Repair Loan - low-interest loan program by USDA Rural Development to pay for needed repairs and improvements to dwellings of eligible very low income families

Home Weatherization

Home Weatherization Program - helps homeowners in Clay and Platte Counties by providing energy conservation services and home repairs to address their specific needs.

Home Accessibility Modifications

Show Me Loans - low-interest loan program through Missouri Assistive Technology that may be used for various handicap accessibility purposes, including home modifications

Home Modification Program - by On My Own, Inc. can provide interior modifications that will allow a person with disabilities to remain independent in their own home

Kansas City Metro Lutheran Ministries Older Adult Services - program assists senior citizens and people with mental and physical disabilities with assistance that can include home repair and accessibility modification

Programs for Seniors:

Senior Minor Home Repair Program - joint program between the Good Samaritan Center of Excelsior Springs and Clay County Senior Services to help seniors (age 60 and above) in northern Clay County with minor home repairs

Clay County Senior Service Grant - a cost-share grant program administered by Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. that provides Clay County seniors (age 60 and above) up to $1,000 per household per year for minor home repairs.

Senior Service Handyman - program for seniors by Shepherd’s Center North using volunteers to complete minor home repairs for the cost of materials only

Platte County Senior Citizen Service Fund - program to assist senior citizens of Platte County with home repairs and other necessary services. Call (816) 270-5432 for more information.

Home Repair Grant - program by USDA Rural Development for grants of up to $7,500 to very low income seniors (age 62 and above) to pay for needed repairs and improvements to their homes.

Programs for Veterans

Specially Adapted Housing Program - veterans or servicemembers with specific service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant to construct a new or modifying an existing home to meet their adaptive needs.