The Town of Hempstead's Department of Planning and Economic Development administers the federally funded Community Development Program. To date, $165 million has been approved to finance several programs which were developed in the town and approved by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Senior Citizen Home Improvement Program provides interest-free loans of up to $15,000 to qualified senior citizen homeowners to assist with weatherization, exterior improvements, window, door and/or roof replacement and emergency repairs to their homes. The Physically Challenged Home Improvement Program provides grants to homeowners in the town in which one of the members of the household is permanently physically challenged and requires handicapped accessibility as provided under the federal ADA regulations. Direct grants of up to $20,000 are given to qualified residents so they may eliminate material or architectural barriers which restrict mobility or accessibility within the home.