Home Repair Grants: Transforming Lives in Appalachia

Group of volunteers posing in front of a newly built wooden ramp for a home in Appalachia.

ROOFS, REPAIRS, AND RENOVATIONS

Many Americans do not have enough savings to perform needed rehabilitation and repairs on their home. A leaking hole in the kitchen of an elderly grandma might go neglected and eventually collapse while she’s making Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. Our free home repair grants provide the materials and bring college students and church groups to the heart of Appalachia to help repair the homes with children and the elderly so that they can live more comfortably.

THE CHALLENGES

Thousands of elderly and disabled homeowners live in homes they can’t easily access because of uneven or dangerous steps, no wheelchair ramp, or the house itself is in disrepair and deemed unsafe. Our grants to numerous partners in West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky provide the cost of materials and labor so that work groups, volunteers, and contractors can rehabilitate homes.

WHY DONATE TO HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS?

Volunteers repairing a deteriorated home in Appalachia.

Your donation helps:

  • Provide materials and labor for home repairs.
  • Ensure safe and comfortable living conditions for families in need.
  • Support seniors and disabled individuals in Appalachia.

Create lasting change in underserved communities.

Donate Today to help us repair more homes in Appalachia. Your support provides materials, labor, and hope to families in need.

OUR IMPACT IN 2025

Our home rehabilitation projects address critical needs like roofing, insulation, and structural repairs, ensuring safer and more comfortable living conditions for families in need.

Homes rehabilitated

Individuals living in a better home

WHO QUALIFIES FOR HOME REPAIR GRANTS?

Our home repair grants for seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income families are available to homeowners in specific counties across Appalachia, including:

  • Tennessee: Jefferson County, Grainger County, Cocke County, Hamblen County, Bradley County, London County, and Polk County.

     

  • West Virginia: McDowell County.

     

  • Kentucky: Lee County.

     

HOW TO APPLY FOR HOME REPAIR GRANTS

To apply or learn more about home repair grant opportunities in your area, please reach out to one of our local partners below:

Tennessee

Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies

Ocoee Outreach

West Virginia

Big Creek People in Action

Kentucky

Cumberland Mountain Outreach

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there programs to help seniors with home repairs in Appalachia?

Yes. Americans Helping Americans provides free home repair grants for seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income families in select counties across Appalachia. Our program covers the cost of materials and labor for critical repairs like roofing, insulation, structural work, rebuilding stairs, and repairing porches. In 2025, we rehabilitated 141 homes, helping 154 individuals live in safer, more comfortable conditions.

How can low-income seniors get free home repairs?

Low-income seniors who own their homes in eligible Appalachian counties can receive free repairs through our Home Rehabilitation Program. Repairs are completed by volunteers, college students, church groups, and contractors at no cost to the homeowner. To get started, contact one of our local partners in Tennessee, West Virginia, or Kentucky listed on this page.

Who qualifies for home repair grants?

Our home repair grants are available to homeowners in specific counties across three states: Tennessee (Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Hamblen, Bradley, Loudon, and Polk Counties), West Virginia (McDowell County), and Kentucky (Lee County). Eligibility focuses on seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income families who cannot afford essential repairs on their own.

What types of repairs does the program cover?

Our grants address critical safety and livability needs, including roof repairs, insulation, structural repairs, rebuilding stairs, fixing porches, and rehabilitating flood-damaged properties. The goal is to ensure that families, especially those with children and elderly residents, can live safely in their homes.

How do I apply for a home repair grant?

To apply, reach out directly to one of our local program partners: Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies or Ocoee Outreach in Tennessee, Big Creek People in Action in West Virginia, or Cumberland Mountain Outreach in Kentucky. Contact information for each partner is listed on this page.

STORIES OF IMPACT