Question:

I am 70, disabled and my work life will be over this next year. I have a Mobile home. My Mobile home is too old to get another kind of loan; it needs repairs before I could sell. My rent goes up 3.8% every year.  I am a vet, also a registered Indian. If you have an answer as to how I can keep my home I would appreciate it. 

Answer:

Mr. A:

I hope you are ready to do some work on this project.  We found a whole lot of stuff that are good possibilities for you.  But now what you have to do is clear away some time.  You now have to start contacting these offices yourself.  Find a good phone where you can sit and read magazines or watch TV while you are on hold getting switched around in the government.

There is no magic to getting the money you need to fix-up your place, but it make take you a bunch of work on the phone.  And don’t worry about the applications; they’ll be pretty easy when you get them.  The trick is finding the right application, and now you have all the tools to do just that.

1) The Federal government lists all of the money programs in a book called the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.  You can search online for housing programs at www.cfda.gov   Contact any program that has the slightest possiblity of helping you.  Even though you are looking for only grants, DO NOT SAY YOU NEED A GRANT.  People do not realize that 90% of the free money available from the government is not called grants.  They can be called direct payments, loans you don’t have to pay back or even free services that will fix your home for you.  You can also check out programs through the Department of Housing and Urban Development at www.hud.gov  There are also programs through the Rural Housing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Here is the link for California http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca/  They have a great grant program where seniors can get a $7,500 grant to repair their homes.

2) Find State, Local Government and Non-Profit Programs for Real Estate
You have to contact your state, city and county officials. Almost every local jurisdiction has money for housing and real estate. Many have money for fixing up houses.  It will take some effort, but it's worth the time. You can also locate your state, local and county government offices on the web at http://www.govengine.com/localgov/index.html

3) Eldercare Locator
Contact these people right away.  They may know some programs in your area just for seniors.  But remember, no one person knows it all. So, if they tell you there are no programs for you just tell them “That’s nice dear� and go ahead and continue contacting the sources you have.

The Eldercare Locator is a hotline provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging to assist older people and their families find community services for seniors anywhere in the country. Through the easy-to-use Eldercare Locator Web portal, older people and their families can search any time of day to find the nearest senior information and assistance service. Search the locator by state and zip code and also find links to other web resources for seniors. Contact Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116; http://www.n4a.org/locator.cfm or contact your local area office on aging at, California Department of Aging, 1300 National Drive, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95834; 916-419-7500; 800-510-2020; Fax: 916-928-2268; www.aging.state.ca.us

4) More Local Sources
Listed below are additional local sources that should be of particular interest to you.  Make sure you contact each of these as well…

Help Finding Local Money

The following organizations can help you find local non-profit organizations that offer financial assistance with housing in your area. These organizations do not provide money to homeowners. What they can do is direct you to organizations in your area that may have funds or know where funds can be found for housing issues.

• National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, 630 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20001; 202-289-3500; 877-866-2476; Fax: 202-289-8181; www.nahro.org.
• Information Center, Office of Community Planning and Development, P.O. Box 7189, Gaithersburg, MD 20898; 800-998-9999; Fax: 301-519-5027; www.comcon.org.
• Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), 88 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217; 1-877-55ACORN; Fax: 718-246-7939; www.acorn.org.
• All your elected representatives. Your U.S. Congressman and Senator, your State Representative or Senator, your mayor or city councilman. Most of these people have a staff member whose job it is to assist the people they represent; that is, their constituents with issues, such as housing. This person should know the local community and how you can best go about finding the services you need. If you cannot find their phone number, your local library can help.
• Your local library. See your reference librarian.

Below is a list of programs available from local organizations that we were able to identify in a recent research project we did on the City of Riverdale, California. This serves as an example of the kinds of programs that can be available in your local area:

1. Utility Assistance Helps Riverside County Pay the Bills
2. FREE Technical Assistance & Fair Housing Services
3. FREE Legal Assistance on Housing Issues
4. One-Time Move-In and Other Assistance for Southern California
5. More Temporary Assistance for Those in Need
6. Build Your Home & Save Money on the Down Payment!
7. Training, Technical Assistance & Information for Housing Professionals
8. Low-Cost Housing for Families and Seniors throughout California
9. FREE for Seniors: Moving Services Cover Everything!
10. Shared Housing for Qualified People
11. Complimentary Email Updates of Homes For-Sale
12. $25,000 Grants for Community Redevelopment Projects
13. Consulting & Technical Assistance Services for Developers
14. Seniors Get $300 Home Repairs and Loans for Home Rehab
15. Home Improvement Loans for Eastern LA County
16. Down Payment and Other Help for SoCal Homebuyers
17. More Down Payment Options for Eligible Buyers
18. First Mortgages for Homebuyers who Need Extra Help
19. Services to Help You Purchase the Home of Your Dreams
20. Sweat Equity Gets You a New Home
21. More Housing for Persons with AIDS
22. No-Cost Weatherization Serves in Southern California
23. Study Program for Community Developers
24. Multi-Family Housing: Financing Helps Make it Affordable!
25. $5.0 Million Financing for Affordable Housing
26. Get Paid to Build an Energy-efficient Home
27. FREE Home Improvements Plus Lower Utility Bills
28. New Windows Pay Off
29. Money Back When You Shop for Your Home!
30. 21) Utility Bills Cut by 20% for Qualified Customers
31. Golden Opportunity to Find a HUD Home!
32. Grants & Loans for Disabled Homebuyers
33. $4,500 Down Payment Assistance for First-Time Homebuyers
34. Emergency Funds Help Pay Winter Energy Bills
35. FREE Energy Analysis Helps Homebuyers Save Money!
36. No Money Down, 100% Financed Home Purchases
37. Flexible Mortgage Program for Hard-to-Qualify Borrowers
38. High Quality Housing AND Technical Assistance for Homebuyers and Renters
39. Affordable Homes for Rent in Southern California
40. Down Payment Rebates up to $5,000
41. Assistance for Tenants and Developers of HUD Housing
42. Mortgage Assistance and Other Services Help Make Homeownership Affordable
43. Loans and Technical Assistance to Help Keep Housing Affordable
44. 90% Financing to Buy, Build or Rehab Multi-Family Housing
45. $1.0 Million to Invest in an Apartment Building
46. Money to Buy, Build or Save Affordable Housing
47. Bank Foundation Provides Affordable Housing Grants to Developers
48. Affordable Housing Investment Opportunity
49. Real Estate Agents Specializing in HUD Housing and Other Government Programs
50. Assistance for Organizations Who Own Farm Worker Housing
51. Sweat Equity for Homes Built in the Country
52. Up to $1.5 Million Loan Fund for Local Nonprofit Community Developers and Municipalities
53. Up to $450,000 Grant Money for Members to Develop Housing
54. $200,000 Available to Economic Developers for Housing Projects
55. Up to $15,000 in Down Payment and/or Closing Costs!
56. Grants Up to $15,000 for Homeownership Opportunities
57. Low-Cost Funding for Community Developers
58. Over $26.5 Million for Nonprofits to Develop Housing
59. FREE Housing Information from Legal Experts
60. More Housing Help for All of California
61. Homebuyers Get 5% of Home Price for Down Payment Costs
62. Long-Term Real Estate Financing
63. Up to $1.0 Million Loans with Interest-Only Payments!
64. $100,000 Pre-Development Loans for Housing Projects
65. $2.3 Million Loans for Housing Development
66. Technical Assistance Helps Housing Projects Succeed
67. Help to Sell Your Land
68. $19.0 Million Available for Working Families to Buy a Home
69. $10.0 Million to Develop Housing in California
70. Up to $15.0 Million for Housing Developers in California
71. Tax Reductions for Affordable Housing Developers
72. Affordable and Special Needs Housing Assistance for Tenants and Developers
73. Loans for First-Time Homebuyers in California
74. Money to Rehabilitate Your California Home!
75. Find a Homebuilder in Your Area
76. Help for Those Looking to Buy a New Home
77. Construction Assistance for Residential Developments
78. Financing Services Helps Developers Get Funding for Rental Housing
79. Make Money; Sell Land for Affordable Housing Development
80. Website Offers Homeownership Information
81. $5,000 Grants for Projects that Benefit the Community
82. FREE Home Repairs for the Elderly & Disabled in Riverside
83. Newly Renovated Housing for Riverside Tenants
84. Information & Referral for Disabled Housing Needs

Reverse Mortgages Give You Cash Now

If you are 62 years old or older and you own your own home, you may want to use a reverse mortgage to get some cash. In the past, the only ways to get cash out of your home was to sell your home or borrow against it. Now, reverse mortgages are available to help seniors tap into the wealth that has built up in their homes. Reverse mortgages don’t require you to move or take on extra debt.

Reverse Mortgages work like traditional mortgages, but in reverse. Instead of making a house payment each month, you receive a payment from your lender. Depending on the type of Reverse Mortgage and the lender, you can take the money in a lump sum, in monthly advances, through a line-of-credit or a combination of the three. Most Reverse Mortgages do not require any repayment of principal, interest or servicing fees, as long as you live in your home. These loans are called rising-debt loans for that reason. The money you receive usually may be used for any reason.

$2,500 To Pay Your Insulation Bills
Storm windows, insulation and even weather-stripping can help reduce your heating and cooling bills. The U.S. Department of Energy offers the Weatherization Assistance Program. Many people are eligible for this program from renters to homeowners, from those who live in single-family or multi-family housing to those who live in mobile homes. Preference is given to the elderly and those families with children. You must apply through your state weatherization agency. States allocate dollars to non-profit agencies for purchasing and installing energy-related repairs. For information on eligibility and where to apply in your state contact your state's office below or the National office at Department of Weatherization, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Stop EE-1, Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585; 877-337-3463; www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/. Or contact your local office at Department of Community Services and Development, P.O. Box 1947, Sacramento, CA 95814; 916-341-4200; Fax: 916-341-4203; www.csd.ca.gov/

Don\'t Pay Your Property Taxes

…or pay a reduced amount. Almost all states have some type of property or homestead tax exemption for the elderly and disabled, and often for those with low incomes or veterans. For example, the program in Massachusetts offers a tax credit of $850 for senior homeowners or renters, 65+, with incomes below $55,000. And they can get a check for $850 even if they owe no taxes. The program varies from state to state, with some states offering a reduced tax rate of a percentage of the home’s value. Other states offer a property tax deferral program for the elderly, where the state would pay the homeowner’s property taxes. This would be considered a loan, and the equity would be the value of the home. The loan would be repaid when the home was sold or the homeowner dies. Contact your state or county tax office to see what your area offers at:

California Franchise Tax Board
P.O. Box 942840
Sacramento, CA 94240-0002
800-852-5711
http://www.ftb.ca.gov/

California provides a Homeowner Assistance Program that allows a once-a-year payment from the State of California to qualified individuals based on part of the property taxes assessed and paid on their homes. You may be eligible if you are 62 years of age or older, blind, or disabled, and have a limited income. There is also a Renter Assistance Program.

$100,000 To Help Buy A Mobile Home And A Mobile Home Lot

Sometimes banks charge a very high interest for a manufactured home and lot, but the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a loan guarantee program to make it more affordable. This program insures mortgage loans made by private lenders to buyers of manufactured homes and the lots on which to place them.

Title I insurance may be used for loans of up to $64,800 for a manufactured home and lot and $16,200 for a lot only. The lot must be appraised by a HUD-approved lender. The dollar limits for combination and lot loans may be increased up to 85 percent in designated high-cost areas. The maximum loan term is 20 years for a single module home and lot, 25 years for a multiple module home and lot, and 15 years for a lot only.  1,500 homes used this program last year. The budget for this program is $52,000,000. (14.162 Mortgage Insurance-combination and Manufactured Home Lot Loans Title I).

For more information contact your local HUD office or check out the program online at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/title/ti_home.cfm; or call HUD Customer Service at 800-767-7468 for a brochure.

$100,000 Direct Loans To Buy Or Fix-Up Homes In The Country

Want to buy a home in the country, but don’t think you can afford it? Think again.

Rural Housing Service provides financing for individuals and families who cannot obtain credit from other sources to purchase homes in rural areas. Applications are received at USDA offices. Funds may be used to purchase suitable existing homes, new site build homes, approved modular units, and new manufactured units from an approved dealer/contractor. Funds may also be used to repair or remodel homes, or to make the home accessible and usable for persons who are developmentally disabled.

Loans may be made for up to 100% of the appraised value of the site and the home. Maximum repayment period is 33 years, or under certain conditions, 38 years. Down payment is not required if your net assets do not exceed $7,500. Certain fees must be paid and you cannot currently own a home. Applicants for direct loans from RHS must have very low or low incomes. Very low-income is defined as below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI); low-income is between 50 and 80 percent of AMI; moderate income is 80 to 100 percent of AMI. Form required: Uniform Residential Loan Application. Over 17,000 homes were purchased through this program. The budget for the program is $1,076,998,750. (Section 502 Direct Loan Program- 10.410 Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans).

For more information contact your state, area or local Rural Development office or contact Single Family Housing, Direct Loan Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250; 202-720-1474; www.rurdev.usda.gov.

$$ To Pay Your Heating Bill
Even if you are not approved by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, you might still be eligible for short-term assistance on your utility bill for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP serves low-income families by offering heating and cooling subsides, energy crisis intervention to assist in weather-related and fuel supply shortages and household energy-related emergencies, such as utility shutoffs. The amount of money and eligibility for this program varies from state to state, so you need to contact your state LIHEAP coordinator to learn how to apply. Contact your state listed below or the National office at U.S. Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC 20447; 866-674-6327; www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap.

$7,500 In Grants to Help Fix-Up Your Home
Remember that a loan must be paid back, but a grant is free money! The Rural Housing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers their Section 504 Rural Housing Repair Rehabilitation Program. Loans are available to very low-income rural residents who own and occupy their home in need of repairs. Funds can be used to improve, modernize or improve health and safety conditions. This is a 1% loan of up to $20,000 payable over 20 years. Applicants must be unable to get traditional credit and be below 50% of the area median income. Grants are only available to applicants 62 years old and older. Grants of up to $7,500 are available and the application process is very easy. Contact your state Rural Housing Agency or the Rural Housing Service National Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5037, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250; 202-720-4323; www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs. Or contact you local office at California, Department of Community Services and Development, P.O. Box 1947, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-341-4200, Fax: 916-341-4203, www.csd.ca.gov/LIHEAP.html

$5,000 Emergency Grant To Fix-Up Your Home

Cities, counties, townships, and even local non-profit organizations around the country offer grants to people who need emergency work done on their home or apartment. The income requirements can go up to $42,000 for a couple.

To find programs you may qualify for in your area, you must search:  1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, as well as 3) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way, and 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/. Listed below is a sampling of similar local programs around the country. They should give you an indication of the kind of help that may be available in your area, too.

1) $2,500 Grant For Emergency House Repairs For 62 Or older
Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc.
Jamaica, New York
http://nhsjamaica.org/services/senior-emergency-loans.asp

2) Free Minor Home Repairs For 62 Or older And Income Less Than $41,000
Los Angeles Housing Department
Los Angeles, CA
http://losangeles.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lacity.org%2Flahd%2Fhndywrkr.htm

3) $5,000 Home Repair Grant For 55+ And 50% Of Median Income
First Ward Action Council, Inc.
Binghamton, NY
http://www.firstwardaction.org/seniorepair.html

4) $3,500 Grant For Emergency Repairs For Seniors Making $25,650
Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency
Sacramento, CA
http://www.shra.org/Content/Housing/HomeRepair/ERP.htm

5) $2,500 Grant For Emergency Repair For Seniors Making $25,350
City of Colorado Springs, Housing Rehabilitation Program, Emergency Repair
Colorado Springs, CO
http://www.servingourseniors.org/services.htm

Volunteers Fix-Up Senior Homes With Incomes Up To $33,169

A non-profit organization called Hearts and Hammers has volunteers around the country who perform house repairs for seniors and people with disabilities.  They can repair porches, siding and trim, replace windows or doors, provide landscaping, repair or replace exterior, and more. Income requirement can go up to $34,000. George and Laura Bush even contributed to this organization. Contact your local public library to see if there are volunteers in your area or contact one or both of the larger groups mentioned below to see if they can identify a group near you.

• Hearts and Hammers - Twin Cities, Inc., PO Box 26124, St Louis Park., NM 55426; 952-922-2451; http://www.heartsandhammers.org or Hearts and Hammers, P.O. Box 29747, Dallas, TX 75229; http://www.heartsandhammers-dallas.org/contacts.htm

Handyman Services For Free Or Low Cost

Getting little repairs done around the home is not only difficult for low-income seniors, it can be a problem for all seniors. Many communities now have programs run by volunteers or with public or private grant money that provides small repairs for seniors under certain incomes. Other areas offer handy man services at reduced costs from safe providers. To find programs you may qualify for in your area, you must search:  1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, as well as 3) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way, and 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/.  You can also contact your local Area Office on Aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp

Listed below is a sampling of the types of programs that are available around the country.
They should give you an indication of the kind of help that may be available in your area, too.

1) Senior Volunteers Do Handyman Chores For Price Of Supplies
Council on Aging Winchester Seniors Association
Winchester, MA
http://www.jenkscenter.org/new_page_9_COA.htm

2) 39 Organizations In NY Get State Money To Fix-Up Senior Homes With Incomes Up To $34,000
Residential Emergency Services To Offer Home Repairs To Elderly (RESTORE)
New York State
http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ocd/progs/restore/ocdprgre.htm

3) $25 First Hour + Cost Of Materials For 60+
Handyman Services For Tier Township Residents
Willmett, IL
http://www.wilmette.com/health/nurse.asp?nId=7

4) Minor Repairs, Home Modifications For Low- Income Over 60
Safety of Seniors Handyman Program
Denver, CO
http://www.voacolorado.org/handyman/

5) Free Handyman For 62+ And Income Under $41,900
Handyworker Program Housing Department
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.lacity.org/lahd/hndywrkr.htm

$750 Emergency Rent Money

Maybe you were just laid off and haven’t found a new job yet. Or that unexpected auto repair bill had to be paid or you wouldn’t be able to get to work. Or you have an unexpected health bill that had to be taken care of. There are many programs on the local level that offer emergency rent money when you are facing difficult times.

To find programs you may qualify for in your area, you must search:  1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, as well as 3) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way, and 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/.  You can also contact your local Area Office on Aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp

Listed below is a sampling of the types of programs that are available around the country. These are obviously only for these areas, but we wanted you to see what kinds of programs exist.

1) $750 For One-Time Emergency Need For Seniors With Up To $31,150
Expanded Rent Assistance Collaboration Program
Seattle, WA
http://cityofseattle.net/humanservices/csd/survivalservices/Erace.htm

2) $97,000 Given For Emergency Rent And Utility Assistance
Cross-Lines Cooperative Council, Inc.
Kansas City, KS
http://www.cross-lines.org/

3) Emergency Money To Pay Rent Assistance, Security Deposits, Moving Costs, Last Months Rent, And Cleaning Deposits
Housing Assistance Program, Aging and Disability Services
Portland, OR
http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/ads/

4) Six Emergency Rent Programs In Houston
Community and Economic Development Dept. Harris County Texas
Houston, TX
http://www.cedd.hctx.net/HRC_Emergency_Rent_Mortgage.htm

Emergency Money To Pay Utilities

Heating bills are going up and the winter months can create financial havoc with a senior’s utility bill payments. There are many programs around the country that help people financially and legally from having their utilities turned off. To find programs you may qualify for in your area, you must search:  1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, as well as 3) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way, and 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/.  You can also contact your local Area Office on Aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp

You should also seek out your local community action agency near you to see if they have a program to help you. You can find your local agency at www.communityactionpartnership.com/about/links/map.asp or by contacting Community Action Partnership in Washington, DC at 202-265-7546

A lot of Local Utility Programs can be identified on the web by going to www.hud.gov, then choose your state under the title “Information by State.� Most state pages have a link called “Renting Help Page.� Click there even if you are a homeowner. Most Rental Help pages have a link called “Help With Your Utility Bills� which describes programs for both renters and homeowners.

Listed below is a sampling of the types of programs that are available around the country.

1) $200 For 60 + Who Face Shut Off Or No Fuel
Care and Share, American Red Cross/Niagara Mohawk
Cortland, NY
http://cortland.redcross.org/e-utility.htm

2) Payments Made To Utility Companies To Avoid Shut Off
Charlotte Neighborhood Development/Crisis Assistance Ministry
Charlotte, NC
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Neighborhood+Dev/Housing+Services/Energy+Assistance.htm

3) $500 To Pay Utility Bills For Seniors Making $22,453
Utility Emergency Services Fund
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.uesfacts.org/about.html

4) Hardship Funds For People Who Fall Through The Cracks
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
PA
http://www.puc.state.pa.us/general/consumer_ed/energy_asst_progs.aspx

5) Up To $500 In 5 Funds To Stop Utility Cut Offs
Mid America Assistance Coalition-Managed Utility Funds
Kansas City, MO
http://www.maaclink.org/utility_individual_funds.htm

Local Grants & Discounts To Pay Utility Bills

There is a large collection of hundreds of programs around the county offering money or discounts to help people pay their utility bills. Although most of the grant programs have income limits, there are discount programs that have no income limits. To find programs you may qualify for in your area, you must search:  1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, as well as 3) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way, and 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/.  You can also contact your local Area Office on Aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp

You should also seek out your local community action agency near you to see if they have a program to help you. You can find your local agency at www.communityactionpartnership.com/about/links/map.asp or by contacting Community Action Partnership in Washington, DC at 202-265-7546

A lot of Local Utility Programs can be identified on the web by going to www.hud.gov, then choose your state under the title “Information by State.� Most state pages have a link called “Renting Help Page.� Click there even if you are a homeowner. Most Rental Help pages have a link called “Help With Your Utility Bills� which describes programs for both renters and homeowners.

1) Seniors Making $24,400 Can Get $280 Discount
Energy Assistance Program Rate, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Sacramento. CA
http://www.smud.org/residential/bill/eapr.html

2) 50% Discount For Seniors 65+ Making $31,992
Utility Discount Program, Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens
Seattle, WA
http://www.cityofseattle.net/humanservices/mosc/utility_discount_program.htm

3) 25% Discount On Water, Sewer, And Solid Waste For Seniors Making $19,248
Low Income Assistance Program, Tacoma Power
Tacoma, WA
http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/power/ResidentialServices/low_income_assistance.htm

4) Pay Only 10% Of Income If Income Less Than $19,245
Percentage of Income Payment Plan, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Ohio
http://www.puco.ohio.gov/PUCO/Consumer/information.cfm?doc_id=93

5) Pay No More Than 6% On Utilities If Income Under $24,464
Universal Service Fund New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
New Jersey
http://www.bpu.state.nj.us/home/USFQA.shtml

Utility Discounts For Medical Devices Or In-Home Patients

No matter what your income, you may be eligible for a discount on your utility bill if someone in your home is dependent on a medical device that uses electricity. Or if you need heating and air-conditioning to care for someone with special needs. To find programs you may qualify for in your area, you must search:  1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, as well as 3) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way, and 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/.  You can also contact your local Area Office on Aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp

You should also seek out your local community action agency near you to see if they have a program to help you. You can find your local agency at www.communityactionpartnership.com/about/links/map.asp or by contacting Community Action Partnership in Washington, DC at 202-265-7546

A lot of Local Utility Programs can be identified on the web by going to www.hud.gov, then choose your state under the title “Information by State.� Most state pages have a link called “Renting Help Page.� Click there even if you are a homeowner. Most Rental Help pages have a link called “Help With Your Utility Bills� which describes programs for both renters and homeowners.

Listed below is a sampling of the types of programs that are available around the country.

1) 30% Rate Discount To Run Medical Equipment Or Care Or Paraplegic, Hemiplegic, Quadriplegic or MS Patient
Medical Equipment Discount Rate, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Sacramento, CA
http://www.smud.org/residential/services/med_rate.html

2) Rate Discounts For Life Equipment Or Special Needs
Services For Medical Baseline and Life-Support Customers, Pacific Gas and Electric
California
http://www.pge.com/res/financial_assistance/medical_baseline_life_support/

3) Pay No More For Extra Electricity To Run Medical Machines Or Heading and Air-conditioning for Patient
Medical Baseline Allowance, Utility Consumers’ Action Network
San Diego, CA
http://www.ucan.org/consumer_info/Elec_Bill/reduce_utility_bill.htm

4) Get 25% Discount On Utility Bills With No Income Requirement
Medical Residential Assistance Programs, Municipal Services Division
Santa Clara, CA
http://www.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/pub_utility/pu_help_paying.html

Ramps For Free Or At A Discount

A doorway ramp to make it easier to get into and out of a home can make life a lot easier for seniors and those with a disability. The item above entitled “$5,000 Emergency Grant To Fix Up Your Home� can certainly be used to put in a ramp, but you should be also be aware that there are special programs available just for ramps. To find programs you may qualify for in your area, you must search:  1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, as well as 3) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way, and 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/.  You can also contact your local Area Office on Aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp

You should also seek out your local community action agency near you to see if they have a program to help you. You can find your local agency at www.communityactionpartnership.com/about/links/map.asp or by contacting Community Action Partnership in Washington, DC at 202-265-7546

1) Free Ramp For Seniors Making $26,750
SeniorWise Home Repair Program
Des Moines, IA
http://www.chdcdesmoines.org/programs/participate/eligibility.shtml

2) Free Loan Ramp And Cost Sharing Installation
Ramps Program, Serving Our Seniors
Erie County, OH
http://www.servingourseniors.org/services.htm

3) Volunteers Build Ramps For Income Qualified Seniors
Seniors Resource Center
Denver, CO
http://www.srcaging.org/volunteer2.html

4) Grants To Install A Ramp
Cleveland Department of Aging, Senior Homeowner Assistance Program
Cleveland, OH
http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/government/departments/aging/agingind.html

Low And 0% Interest Loans To Fix-Up Your House

No matter what your income and as long as your improvements will create a more energy efficient home you can save a lot on interest rates and finance charges by using a subsidized energy conservation loan program. These programs are typically available from your state department of energy, a local government office or your utility company. State and local government offices can be found by contacting your state or city operators or www.govengine.com. Your local phone directory and library can help you locate your local utility companies. Be sure to check them all. Here is a sample of the kinds of programs available.

1) $35,000 Low Interest Loan For Fireplaces, Freezers, Cloth Washers, Etc.
Dollar and Energy Saving Loans, Nebraska Energy Office
Lincoln, NE
http://www.neo.state.ne.us/loan/improv.htm

2) $50,000 Low Interest Loan For New Energy Saving Appliances
Energy Loan Fund, Ohio Department Of Development
Columbus, OH
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/ELFDS.htm

3) $20,000 Low Interest Loan To Make Energy Saving Improvements
NY Energy Smart Loan Program, NY Energy Research & Development Authority
Albany, NY
http://www.nyserda.org/loanfund/

4) 0% Interest Loans For Energy Efficiency Improvements
Residential Weatherization Program, Tacoma Power
Tacoma, WA
http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/power/ResidentialServices/default.htm

5) $3,000 For New Storm Doors Or Windows
5% Weatherization Loans, Tideland EMC
Pantego, NC
http://www.tidelandemc.com/p&sincentives.htm

$750 Rebate For Any Income Level

A rebate is another form of free money and it’s available for consumers with any income level as long as you buy the product. Utility companies around the country offer such rebates to encourage energy efficient products that will save you on your heating bill and save them from having to generate more services. Your local phone directory and library can help you locate your local utility companies. Be sure to check them all. Here is a sample of the kinds of programs available.

1) 70% On Insulation Purchases Up To $700
Home Check, Mid-America Energy Company
Des Moines, IA
http://www.midamericanenergy.com/html/energy3g.asp

2) $20 On A Lamp And $750 On A Heat Pump
Conservation Services, Tacoma Power
Tacoma, WA
http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/power/ResidentialServices/default.htm

3) $600 For Installing An Add-On Heat Pump
Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc
Marietta, OH
http://www.weci.org/rebates.html

4) 50% On Insulation Purchases Up to $200
Home or Business Energy Grant, Sawnee EMC
Cumming, GA
http://www.sawnee.com/Energy/incentives.htm

5) $150 On A Dish Washer
Energy Star Appliances, Minnesota Power
Duluth, MN
http://www.mnpower.com/energystar/special_offers/index.htm

$8,000 to Improve Your Home So It Cuts Your Utility Bills
This program is called the “Energy Efficient Mortgages Program� and can be used to make energy-efficient improvements in one to four new and existing homes. The improvements can be included in a borrower's mortgage only if their total cost is less than the total dollar value of the energy that will be saved during their useful life. The cost of the improvements that may be eligible for financing as part of the mortgage is either 5 percent of the property's value (not to exceed $8,000) or $4,000, whichever is greater. The maximum mortgage limit for a single-family home is $160,950, plus the cost of the eligible energy-efficient improvements. (Limits may be lower in some areas of the country.) Contact: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410; 202-708-1112; http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/energy-r.cfm

AND BE SURE TO MAKE THIS CONTACT

Free Homebuying And Homeownership Counseling Services
There are hundreds of government funded counseling centers around the country that will give you advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues and reverse mortgage. To locate offices near you contact: Housing Counseling Agencies, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 451 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20410; 1-800-569-4287, http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm

In addition to the HUD supported agencies, every area of the country will have their own local non-profit housing counseling organization. Listed below is a sample of the kinds of free and low cost services available in Oklahoma City. To find similar services in your area contact your local library to start your search.

1) Free Housing Counseling
Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, OK 405-232-0199, ext. 3217; Fax: (405) 232-9074; http://www.caaofokc.org/special%20projects.htm#housing

2) FREE Homebuyer Education for Everyone
Contact: Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City, 1900 NW 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 405-232-0199, ext. 3217 http://www.caaofokc.org/special%20projects.htm#homebuying

3) FREE Fair Housing Counseling
The Metropolitan Fair Housing Council (MFHC) of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK 405-232-3247

4) FREE Homebuyer Education in Oklahoma County
Council of Neighborhoods, Oklahoma City, OK 405-619-9305; http://www.councilofneighborhoods.org/engine/emw.exe/*qshome=home

5) Homeowner Workshops Help You Buy a New House!
Neighborhood Housing Service of Oklahoma City, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK 405-231-4663

6) Even More FREE Counseling for Homebuyers & Owners
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, Oklahoma City, OK 405-848-1144
http://www.ohfa.org/

7) Lots of Information for Homebuyers
Oklahoma Homebuyer Education Association, Oklahoma City, OK 405-524-4124 http://www.homebuyereducation.info/homebuyers.htm

8) FREE Home Education Seminars
Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK 405-842-7751 Greg_Nurse@countrywide.com

9) Homeownership Counseling for Oklahoma City Residents
Northeast Homeownership Consortium, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK 405-272-9622

10) Homeownership Counseling for Native Americans
Native American Housing Services, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK 405-598-5742

It Will Take Some Effort

Are you tired yet?   I know it is a major effort to track down what you need.  But if you are a senior you already know that life is not easy.  And it takes work to get what you really need in life.  The problem is that our life has become so complicated and no one person has all the answers.  Even the experts don’t even know what they are talking about nowadays.  But what is wonderful about this complicated society is that most of the good information is free, and most of the best help in our society is free.  But the people handing out the free stuff do not have money to advertise that they are giving away the money.  So it is up to us citizens to find out what is there that we are already paying for.   American is a wonderful country full of opportunities; we just have to start learning how to use the system.

Once you go through this process of finding the money you need for your home, your life will change because you will now know  that you can live the rest of your life believing that the world if full of answers to anything, and you just have to put in some time to get them

You know have all the tools to do it.  Thirty million Americans a year use these resources, and you can be among them no matter what your age.

Matthew Lesko
www.lesko.com