Loans and grants are available to very low income rural residents who own and occupy a dwelling in need of repairs. Funds are available for repairs to improve or modernize a home or to remove health and safety hazards. Loans are at 1% and may be repaid over a 20-year period. Grant funds are used to make repairs/improvements to make the dwelling more safe and sanitary, more accessible, or to remove health and safety hazards. Loan funds can be used for more various purposes.

* Operates the Home Improvement Program. Provides grants and low interest loans for home repairs and improvements. Eligible repairs include: Structural issues - roof, foundation, windows, exterior paint or siding. Major systems - plumbing, heating or electrical. Accessibility accommodations - ramps, lifts, doorways and bathrooms. Routine maintenance, remodeling and cosmetic improvements are generally not eligible repairs.

Provides low interest loans for home improvement and modernization for low and moderate income households. Loans for adaptations to accommodate people who are disabled will be considered.NOTE: White Plains, Yonkers, Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle residents are NOT eligible because these municipalities get their own program money, have them call their respective town.

Offers low interest loans for the purchase of essential equipment necessary for disabled person to overcome barriers to daily living or vocational functioning following rehabilitation. Loans range from $500-$4000 with a repayment period of 2-8 years and the interest rate will vary. Examples of eligible equipment include, but are not limited to, wheelchairs, wheelchair van lifts, ramps, communication devices for hearing impaired/deaf, and prostheses.

Home modification refers to adaptations to the home environment to increase ease of use, safety, comfort, security, and independence. Major modifications include ramps, roll-in showers, and lowered countertops. Minor modifications include grab bars, widened doorways, better lighting, hand-held showers, and lever door handles.

Provides loans to help purchase equipment that assists disabled persons to overcome barriers of daily living. Examples of eligible equipment include wheelchairs, wheelchair van lifts, ramps, communication devices for the deaf and hearing impaired, prosthetic devices, and devices which allow persons who are blind or visually impaired to discern printed material; this list is not all inclusive, and other equipment would be considered. Loans can be issued to equip a vehicle, but cannot be used to purchase any vehicle, accessible or not. Money is loaned either directly to the disabled person or to another person responsible for the individual. Loan amounts can range from $500-$4,000. Repayment period is 2-8 years depending upon the loan amount, at the discretion of the borrower.

Home modification refers to adaptations to the home environment to increase ease of use, safety, comfort, security, and independence. Major modifications include ramps, roll-in showers, and lowered countertops. Minor modifications include grab bars, widened doorways, better lighting, hand-held showers, and lever door handles.

This program provides modifications that improve accessibility and mobility within the home. Installs ramps, grab bars, or other structural changes to a home so that people with physical limitations can gain better access of the home.

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.

Home modification refers to adaptations to the home environment to increase ease of use, safety, comfort, security, and independence. Major modifications include ramps, roll-in showers, and lowered countertops. Minor modifications include grab bars, widened doorways, better lighting, hand-held showers, and lever door handles.