Soon-to-End Grant Opportunity Helps Eligible Families Pay for Critical Home Repairs

Action Housing Inc. is providing funds for low-income homeowners in Allegheny County to make whole-home repairs to severely damaged households through the federal Whole-Home Repairs Program.

Homeowners could receive up to $50,000 in funds to fix critical issues that pose safety issues to residents, like damage to the roof, windows, or foundation of a home. Money is also available to make modifications for someone managing a disability.

However, funds are limited* and based on need. Action Housing can likely only award 150-250 applicants grants. Still, families awarded grants will not need to repay the funds.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Friday, June 30. No applications will be accepted after this time.

*Disclaimer: Due to limited funding, Action Housing Inc. must prioritize homes with the worst damage. However, the application process will re-open for another 30-day period in mid to late fall. The exact time of this second application period will be announced at a later time.

About the Whole-Home Repairs Program

Who can apply? Who is eligible for a whole-home grant?

To qualify, an applicant must:

  • own and live in a house needing repairs in Allegheny County.

  • be living in a home with significant habitability issues like roof damage, unsafe electric wiring, or accessibility concerns.

  • have a total income that doesn’t exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Allegheny County. Please refer to the AMI chart to find AMI data.

How does the application process work?

  1. Apply online on the Allegheny County Whole-Home Repair Program website.

  2. If you are eligible and selected for a home inspection, someone from the Whole-Home Repairs Program will contact you to schedule it.

  3. A Whole-Home Repairs inspector will visit your home to determine if the repairs qualify for funding.

  4. If the inspector approves the repairs, Action Housing will connect you with a contractor certified by the Whole-Home Repairs Program to do the work.

How will applicants be notified?

If you apply online, you’ll get an email about your eligibility for the program. People submitting paper applications will be notified via U.S. mail.

How long does this process take?

Action Housing Inc. will work as quickly as possible to schedule inspections and start construction. Still, they can’t commit to a timeline. Many collaborate to finish this work, so estimating schedules and weather dependencies is challenging. The whole process could take anywhere from a few months to a year.

Additional Information & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will I have to pay for anything?

You have no cost if your application is eligible and repairs are approved.

I do not have a Social Security number. Can I still apply?

Absolutely! A Social Security number is requested in the application but is optional.

Is citizenship required for this program?

No, citizenship status is not a factor.

I know someone who wants to apply, but English isn’t their native language.

Call ACTION-Housing at 412-248-0021, and Action Housing Inc. will get a translator to meet with you in person or complete an application over the phone.

I, or someone I know, have a physical or mental impairment that makes applying challenging.

Call ACTION-Housing at 412-248-0021 to talk about accommodating your needs.

I already applied for Whole-Home Repairs funding during the pilot phase of this program. When will someone contact me?

Action Housing Inc. received your application, but it’s taking some time to work through the volume of applications they received. Someone will contact you if they need more information to decide or to schedule a home inspection.

How is Action Housing Inc. determining who gets selected?

One of the requirements outlined in the passed state bill to fund Whole-Home Repairs is that Action Housing prioritize funding for certain groups of people. They are using data to help determine how to do this best. Because funding is limited, Action Housing is prioritizing neighborhoods not invested in historically.

 

To find a full list of FAQs, visit the Action Housing Inc. website.

Apply

If you meet the eligibility requirements and need financial assistance for whole-home repairs, please apply now on the Allegheny County Whole-Home Repair Program website.

Additional Resources

Unfortunately, Action Housing Inc. cannot award grants to all eligible applicants. If you are in need of financial assistance for home repairs and are not eligible for or awarded a grant, please consult these resources:

Learn More

The Whole-Home Repair Program is a federal program and available in counties across the Commonwealth. If you do not live in Allegheny County but are in need of financial assistance for home repairs, you can apply through an agency within your county. Find a list of agencies supporting the Whole-Home Repair Program on the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website.

To learn more, please consult the Whole-Home Repair Program Manual or visit the Action Housing Inc. website.

Heidi Winkler