Tennessee Home Repair Grants 2026: THDA, USDA & City Help

Tennessee homeowners may be able to get help through a mix of THDA-backed programs, federal repair assistance, and local city or county rehabilitation funds. The best option usually depends on your age, disability status, income, county, and whether the repair involves a true health or safety issue.

This guide covers the main Tennessee home repair grants and repair assistance options for emergency repairs, weatherization, rural home repairs, and local rehabilitation programs. If you are looking for home repair grants in Tennessee or broader grants for home repairs, start by matching your situation to the programs below.

The Big 3 State Powerhouses

The Emergency Repair Program (ERP)

Managed by THDA, the ERP is designed to stabilize your home rather than remodel it. For 2026, the state has allocated $2.7 million to this fund, distributed through regional development districts.

The THDA Emergency Repair Program is one of the most important starting points for older homeowners and people with disabilities who need urgent safety-related repairs. It is especially relevant when the issue involves a failing roof, dangerous wiring, broken plumbing, septic failure, or a heating system that makes the home unsafe to live in.

Grants up to $24,999. This is a valid grant; no lien is placed on your home, and you never have to repay it. Only essential systems, like failing septic tanks, dangerous electrical wiring, or a furnace that died during a cold snap.

• Age or disability: The homeowner must be at least age 60 or have a qualifying disability.
• Home: The property must be the applicant’s principal residence, and the applicant must have an ownership interest.
• Occupancy: THDA generally requires the applicant to have lived in the home for at least three years before applying.
• Income: Income limits depend on household size and location. Confirm the current limit with the local ERP administrator.
• Property taxes: Applicants must generally be current on local property taxes.
• Eligible repairs: The repair must address an immediate health, safety or life hazard involving a roof, electrical system, plumbing, septic system, heating, cooling or another critical structural system.
• Describe the condition accurately: Explain the actual hazard and provide photos or inspection records. Do not exaggerate or use a scripted claim.
• Official Link: THDA Emergency Repair Program

Tennessee Weatherization Assistance Program

THDA’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households reduce heating and cooling costs through approved energy-efficiency and health-and-safety measures.

• Possible measures: Air sealing, duct sealing and insulation in attics, walls and floors.
• Energy audit: A certified auditor evaluates the home and determines which measures are eligible and cost-effective.
• HVAC: Heating or cooling work may be included when the audit and program rules support it, but a new heat pump or HVAC unit is not guaranteed.
• Waiting time: Waitlists vary by local agency and available funding. Remove the universal 12-to-14-month Shelby and Davidson claim.
• Heating emergency: Households with no heat should also ask the local Community Action Agency about current LIHEAP crisis options, but emergency equipment repair is not guaranteed.
• Official Link: Tennessee Weatherization Assistance Program

HOME-Funded Homeowner Rehabilitation

THDA awards federal HOME funds to eligible local governments and nonprofit organizations for homeowner rehabilitation. Homeowners usually apply through the local organization administering the funded project rather than directly through THDA.

• Possible work: Essential rehabilitation, health and safety repairs, code compliance and preservation of owner-occupied housing.
• Local availability: Funding applies only in the service areas covered by current awards.
• Johnson County: First Tennessee Development District received a $540,000 award to rehabilitate four homes.
• Elizabethton: First Tennessee Development District received a separate $540,000 award to rehabilitate four homes.
• Homeowner amount: Do not promise a universal $40,000 award. Assistance, compliance periods and repayment terms depend on the local project agreement.
• Apply locally: Contact the local development district, city or nonprofit administering the award.

Who Qualifies for Tennessee Home Repair Grants?

Most Tennessee repair programs look at the same basic factors before approving an application.

• You own and live in the home as your primary residence.
• Your income falls within the limits for the local program.
• The repair involves health, safety, accessibility, storm damage, or a major system failure.
• You can provide proof of ownership, income documents, tax information, and access for inspection.
• No work has started before the agency completes any required approval or inspection.

In Tennessee, homeowners usually do not receive repair money directly from one central state office. In most cases, funding flows through development districts, local governments, community action agencies, or city housing departments. That is why the correct local contact matters as much as the program itself.

2026 Tennessee County & City Comparisons

Local intake status changes frequently. Some Tennessee programs are accepting applications or waitlist forms, while others are processing previously received submissions. Verify current status directly before gathering contractor bids or paying any fee.

Memphis RRRAP Program Status

The Residential Repair and Rehabilitation Assistance Program helps address structural, health and safety repairs that previously prevented homes from receiving weatherization or energy-efficiency services.

• Possible repairs: Structural, health, safety, accessibility and preparatory repairs needed before weatherization.
• Assistance type: Funding is structured as a forgivable loan and may place a lien on the property during an affordability period.
• Funding: Limited and not guaranteed.
• Remove: Delete the universal $25,000 claim unless Memphis publishes that cap in current final guidelines.
• Official Link: Memphis RRRAP Status

Nashville MDHA Home Repair Programs

Qualifying Davidson County homeowners may apply for Accessibility, Homeowner Rehabilitation, HVAC Replacement, Roof, Window and Weatherization programs through the Neighborly portal.

• Eligible focus: Electrical, HVAC, roofs, porches, walls, plumbing, structural openings, lead or asbestos work and health-related accessibility modifications.
• Selection: Repairs are determined by inspection, need, program priority and available funding.
• Remove: Delete the universal $20,000 deferred-loan claim unless the current MDHA fact sheet confirms that exact amount for the selected program.
• Official Link: MDHA Home Repair Programs

Knoxville Owner-Occupied Home Rehabilitation

Knoxville’s program helps eligible low- and moderate-income homeowners make significant repairs needed to meet the city’s Neighborhood Housing Standards.

• Assistance: A detailed repair assessment, low-interest or forgivable financing and help working with independent contractors.
• Eligibility: The homeowner must live in the City of Knoxville, meet HUD-based income limits and plan to continue occupying the property.
• Remove: Delete the universal $40,000 maximum and ten-year forgiveness claim unless the current program brochure confirms those terms.
• Contact: 865-215-2120.
• Official Link: Knoxville Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation

Blount County Habitat Home Repair

Blount County Habitat helps eligible homeowners with safety, health and mobility repairs through a combination of affordable loans, grants and donated services.

• Possible repairs: Roofing, heating and air, plumbing, bathroom work, ramps, accessibility modifications and window replacement.
• Basic requirements: The home must be in Blount County, be the applicant’s primary residence and meet the income and ownership rules of the available funding source.
• Application status: Applications are accepted and processed on a first-qualified, first-served basis while funds remain available.
• Applicant participation: Sweat equity and ability-to-pay requirements may apply, with accommodations for disability.
• Remove: Delete the claim that funds will run out in March.
• Official Link: Blount County Habitat Home Repair

Rural TN (USDA)

If you live in a rural ZIP Code, the USDA 504 Grant is the Gold Standard for seniors, providing $10,000 (or $15,000 in declared disaster areas) for hazard removal.

Federal & Specialized Assistance

USDA Section 504 Tennessee

USDA Section 504 may help eligible very-low-income rural Tennessee homeowners repair, improve or modernize their homes or remove health and safety hazards.

• Loan: Up to $40,000 at a fixed 1% interest rate for up to 20 years.
• Standard grant: Up to $10,000 for eligible homeowners age 62 or older who cannot repay a repair loan.
• Disaster grant: Up to $15,000 for eligible repairs to a home damaged in a qualifying presidentially declared disaster area.
• Combined assistance: Up to $50,000 under standard rules or $55,000 under qualifying disaster rules.
• Repayment: A grant generally must be repaid if the home is sold in less than three years.
• Status: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through the local Rural Development office, subject to funding.
• Official Link: USDA Section 504 Tennessee

Tennessee Home Modifications and Ramp Assistance

THDA partners with United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee to help people with mobility disabilities obtain wheelchair ramps and other approved accessibility modifications.

• Disability: The applicant must have a disability that creates a mobility impairment and a need for accessible entry.
• Income: THDA-funded ramps require the household to meet current income criteria.
• Housing type: Both owner-occupied and tenant households may potentially qualify under THDA rules.
• Waiting list: Funding limitations can create waiting lists.
• Contact: 615-242-4091.
• Official Link: UCP Home Access Program

Title, Taxes and Ownership Documents

Unclear ownership, unpaid property taxes or incomplete title documents may delay or prevent approval when a program requires clear ownership and current taxes. Requirements vary by program.

• Title: Obtain the current deed and verify all legal owners before applying.
• Heirs property: Contact a Tennessee legal-aid provider or qualified attorney for help with succession or shared-title issues.
• Property taxes: Ask the repair-program administrator whether taxes must be paid in full or whether an approved payment plan is accepted.
• Do not assume: Tennessee’s heirs-property law does not automatically make a household eligible for a repair grant.

FAQs

How much can the THDA Emergency Repair Program provide?

THDA ERP may provide an eligible homeowner with a lifetime grant of up to $24,999 for an immediate health, safety or life hazard. The grant does not require repayment or a property lien.

Is Memphis RRRAP accepting new interest forms?

No. Memphis is currently processing submissions already received, and the RRRAP Interest Form is closed. Homeowners should monitor the official city page for future intake updates.

Is Nashville MDHA accepting home repair applications?

Yes. MDHA is accepting a limited number of waitlist or pre-screening applications for Accessibility, Homeowner Rehabilitation, HVAC, Roof, Window and Weatherization programs.

Can Tennessee Weatherization replace my HVAC system?

Possibly, but replacement is not guaranteed. A certified energy audit determines which measures are eligible and appropriate for the home.

Can a mobile or manufactured home qualify?

It depends on the program. THDA ERP, Weatherization, USDA and local programs use different ownership, title, land and property-condition rules. Confirm eligibility with the administering agency.

Do Tennessee home repair programs have to be repaid?

It depends. THDA ERP is a grant with no repayment, while Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and other local programs may use forgivable loans, deferred loans, liens or occupancy requirements.

Can Tennessee homeowners get wheelchair-ramp help?

Possibly. United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee coordinates statewide ramp assistance for people with mobility disabilities. Income limits, waiting lists and funding availability apply.

What if repairs cost more than the program limit?

Requirements vary. Some programs may require another approved funding source or proof that the full repair scope can be completed, while others may reduce the project or determine that it is not financially feasible.

Conclusion

Tennessee home repair assistance works best when the repair is matched to the right program and current local intake status. THDA ERP focuses on immediate health and safety hazards for eligible older or disabled homeowners, Weatherization addresses energy efficiency, USDA serves qualifying rural homeowners, and local programs may offer broader rehabilitation or accessibility support.

Before applying, confirm that intake is open, gather the documents requested by that specific agency and avoid starting contractor work before inspection or written approval. Eligibility, funding, repair scope and repayment conditions depend on the program, location, household and property.