Poor homeowners can now use federal repair grants to buy their own materials

The US Department of Agriculture is changing how very low-income homeowners can use federal grants for home repairs. They can now buy materials directly, instead of only paying contractors for labor and materials.

For decades, federal home repair grants for the poorest homeowners often required them to hire a contractor for the entire job. This meant homeowners in rural areas with few contractors, or those who could do some work themselves, often couldn't use the money. This change makes it easier for people to get their homes fixed, especially in places where contractors are scarce or too expensive.