New York Home Repair Grants 2026: HCR, USDA & NYC Help
New York homeowners may be able to get help with urgent repairs through a mix of state, federal, New York City, and locally administered programs. In January 2026, New York announced more than $68 million in HCR awards to assist nearly 1,300 households statewide, including support for emergency repairs, accessibility upgrades, manufactured-home replacement, rental assistance, and homebuyer assistance.
For home repair help, eligibility usually depends on income, location, ownership, age or disability status, the type of repair, and whether a local program currently has funding.
Many New York housing repair grants are administered through municipalities or nonprofit Local Program Administrators rather than one statewide homeowner application.
2026 funding note: NYS HCR’s 2026 HOME Local Funding Round is currently open for eligible local governments and nonprofit administrators. This does not create a direct statewide homeowner application; local homeowner intake and available funding vary by area.
Who Qualifies for Home Repair Grants in New York?
New York does not use one single statewide homeowner application for repair help. Most funding is delivered through local governments and nonprofit partners, and the right program usually depends on your income, location, age, disability status, and the type of repair your home needs.
- Up to 80% AMI: This is the main range for many repair and rehabilitation programs, including NYS HOME, T-HIP, and many local partner grants.
- Moderate-income homeowners: Some options, including AHC home improvement and HomeFix NYC, may serve households above very-low-income levels.
- Seniors: Emergency repair help may be available through RESTORE if you are age 60 or older.
- People with disabilities: Accessibility work may qualify under Access to Home programs.
- Rural homeowners: USDA Section 504 can help eligible very-low-income owners in rural parts of New York.
AHC Home Improvement
The Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) funds municipalities and nonprofit grantees that support eligible home-improvement projects. Homeowners do not apply directly to AHC; availability depends on whether a current AHC grantee serves their area.
- How it works: AHC awards grants to government and nonprofit sponsors (grantees), who then manage the funds for local homeowners.
- The Benefit: Grants can reach up to $75,000 per unit, depending on the specific project structure.
- Target Income: Generally serves households in the 100%-166% range of HUD Low Income Limits.
Official Link: NYS HCR – Affordable Housing Corporation
NYS HOME & CDBG (Low-Income Rehab)
These federally funded programs are the workhorses for New York’s low- to moderate-income families in need of safe, habitable housing.
- NYS HOME: Supports acquisition and rehabilitation for households at or below 80% AMI. This often includes replacing dilapidated manufactured homes. Official Details
- NYS CDBG: These grants are awarded to smaller cities and towns to fund local owner-occupied rehab programs that address health and safety hazards. Official Details
T-HIP: Targeted Home Improvement Program
T-HIP is a targeted pilot grant program supporting critical repairs for low- and moderate-income homeowners in specific participating New York communities.
- Where it is available: Assistance is delivered through participating Local Program Administrators in selected communities.
- Eligibility and assistance: Income limits, project caps, eligible repairs, and current intake availability should be confirmed with the local administrator serving your area.
- Repair Scope: Focuses on code violations, accessibility modifications, environmental remediation (mold/lead), and structural repairs.
- Strict Rule: No reimbursement for work started before your application is officially approved.
Official Website: NYS HCR – T-HIP Program
NYC HomeFix (HPD) for 1- 4 Family Homes
For residents in the five boroughs, HomeFix NYC offers affordable repair financing with flexible terms.
- Assistance Type: Affordable low- or no-interest loans that are potentially forgivable.
- Income Ceiling: Serving owners earning up to 165% AMI.
- Loan Limits: $60,000 for 1-unit properties, up to $150,000 for 4-unit properties.
- Eligible Repairs: Roofs, heating systems, plumbing, and energy upgrades. Condos and co-ops are not eligible.
Official Website: NYC HPD – HomeFix
RESTORE Program for Senior Homeowners
The RESTORE program is one of the most important New York repair options for older homeowners facing urgent health and safety problems. It is designed for emergency repairs and code-related issues that make the home harder or unsafe to live in.
- Best fit: Owner-occupied primary residences where the homeowner is age 60 or older
- Income rule: Household income generally must not exceed 100% of AMI
- Typical repairs: Emergencies, code violations, and urgent fixes affecting safe occupancy
- How it works: Local governments and nonprofit partners administer the assistance, not a direct statewide homeowner portal
Access to Home for Disability-Related Repairs
If the repair need is tied to a disability, Access to Home programs may be a better fit than a general rehabilitation grant. These programs focus on accessibility modifications that help the person remain safely in the home.
- Common uses: Ramps, lifts, handrails, doorway widening, and roll-in showers
- Income: General Access to Home participants are typically at or below 80% AMI. A separate veterans pathway may allow qualifying veterans with disabilities up to 120% AMI.
- Related programs: New York also offers Access to Home options for Medicaid members and veterans with disabilities
- Where to start: Check the HCR local partner list to see which organization serves your county
NYC311 & Housing Preservation Leads
NYC311 is the primary gateway for NYC owners to find preservation resources managed by the Center for NYC Neighborhoods (CNYCN) and other partners.
- Energy Upgrades: Access to weatherization, insulation, and heating/cooling improvements, such as air-source heat pumps. (Learn about heating grants here).
- Lead Hazard Abatement: The Primary Prevention program (HPD) targets lead-based paint risks in older buildings.
Official Website: NYC311 – Home Repair Assistance
Rural and Energy-Savings Repair Options
USDA Section 504 for Rural New York Homeowners
For very-low-income homeowners in eligible rural parts of New York, USDA Section 504 can help pay for repairs, modernization, and health and safety work.
- Loan option: Up to $40,000 at a fixed 1% interest rate
- Grant option: Up to $10,000 for eligible very-low-income homeowners age 62 or older; grant funds must be used to remove health and safety hazards.
- Best use cases: Roofs, heating systems, structural repairs, accessibility work, and other essential repairs in eligible rural areas
Official source: Check USDA Rural Development’s New York Section 504 page for current income limits, rural eligibility, forms, and local contacts. See our USDA Section 504 home repair guide.
Weatherization Assistance Program
New York’s Weatherization Assistance Program can also help income-eligible homeowners, and some renters, reduce heating and cooling costs while addressing related health and safety issues in the home.
- Best fit: Drafty homes, insulation problems, air leakage, and energy-related repair needs
- Income: Households may qualify at or below 60% of New York State median income. Some households receiving HEAP or certain other public benefits may be automatically eligible.
- Possible scope: Weatherization, air sealing, insulation, and related health and safety work
- Why it matters: This is often the best pathway when the home repair problem is directly tied to high utility costs or poor energy performance
Nonprofit Options & Financing
Rebuilding Together NYC (RTNYC)
This nonprofit provides Critical Home Repairs and Accessibility Modifications for homeowners with incomes at or below 80% AMI.
- Asset Limit: Less than $15,000 in net assets (excluding home).
- Security: Assistance is often provided via a forgivable lien.
Official Website: RTNYC Housing Preservation
NHS Brooklyn
For larger projects that grants may not fully cover, NHS Brooklyn provides repair financing up to $100,000.
- Terms: Interest rates generally range from 3% to 6%.
- Common Uses: Sewer lines, water mains, and boiler replacements.
Official Website: NHS Brooklyn Repair Assistance
How to Apply for Home Repair Help in New York
- Identify your location first: If you live in New York City, start with HomeFix NYC and 311-connected preservation resources. If you live outside NYC, check the HCR local partner directory for the organization serving your county.
- Match the repair to the right program: Emergency senior repairs may fit RESTORE, accessibility work may fit Access to Home, rural repairs may fit USDA Section 504, and major rehabilitation may fit NYS HOME, CDBG, or T-HIP.
- Gather your documents early: Most programs will ask for proof of ownership, proof of income, photo identification, and details or photos of the repair issue.
- Do not start the work too early: Many programs will not reimburse repairs that begin before approval. Review how to avoid contractor and home repair scams.
- Confirm who administers the funds: In New York, the actual application usually goes through a local government, nonprofit, or designated program partner rather than a direct state homeowner portal.
FAQs
Is there a free roof program in New York for 2026?
Roof help in New York is usually approved through a broader home repair program rather than a single standalone statewide free-roof program. If the roof problem creates a health and safety issue, violates code, or threatens the structure, programs such as T-HIP, NYS HOME, RESTORE, local CDBG rehabilitation, or HomeFix NYC may be able to include roof work depending on your location, income, and the local administrator’s current funding. See our roof repair and replacement assistance guide.
I earn a decent salary; do I still qualify for NYC HomeFix?
Yes. Some moderate- and middle-income New York City homeowners may qualify. HomeFix serves eligible owners of one- to four-family homes with household income up to 165% AMI, subject to the program’s other requirements and available financing.
What is the 60-Day Rule I keep hearing about?
RESTORE program rules state that funded repairs must generally be completed within 60 business days from the start of the repairs. Local Program Administrators handle the assistance and may have additional procedures.
Can New York help replace a mobile or manufactured home?
Possibly. New York’s Mobile & Manufactured Home Replacement (MMHR) Program can help eligible low- and moderate-income homeowners replace a dilapidated mobile or manufactured home when it is their primary residence and the home is located on land they own. Household income generally may not exceed 80% AMI, and assistance is delivered through local program administrators rather than directly by HCR.
How do I find the specific nonprofit that has the money?
New York uses Local Program Administrators (LPAs). You cannot apply at the state level. You must visit the NYS HCR Local Partner Directory or call 311 (in NYC) or 2-1-1 (Upstate) to find the nonprofit assigned to your specific ZIP code.
Conclusion
New York home repair assistance in 2026 is mainly organized through local partner programs, not one direct statewide homeowner application. The strongest next step is to identify whether your needs fit HomeFix NYC, NYS HOME or CDBG rehabilitation, T-HIP, RESTORE, Access to Home, weatherization, or USDA Section 504 if you live in an eligible rural area.
Apply through the local program administrator serving your county or borough, gather your ownership and income documents early, and confirm whether your repair is treated as an emergency, accessibility need, rehabilitation project, or rural health and safety repair.
