Calling all mobile and manufactured homeowners in Alaska!

Did you know you may be eligible for financial assistance to help with critical repairs, weatherization upgrades, or even full home replacement? Many state, federal, and nonprofit programs exist specifically to support mobile home owners like you with essential home repairs.

One of the most widely available resources is the USDA’s Section 504 Home Repair Program. This federal program offers loans and grants to help repair, improve, or modernize your home, and to eliminate health and safety hazards. Homeowners can apply for loans up to forty thousand dollars. Seniors aged sixty-two or older may be eligible for grants of up to ten thousand dollars, or fifteen thousand in designated disaster areas.

To qualify, you must own and occupy the home as your primary residence, and your household income must fall within the USDA’s low-income limits. If you’re approved for a loan above twenty-five thousand dollars, the USDA will also require full title service or a legal check to verify ownership and property records. This program is especially helpful for homeowners in rural areas, and it can cover repairs like roofing, electrical work, or accessibility modifications that make your home safer and more livable.

One major statewide option is the Renovation Loan Program offered by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. This program allows eligible homeowners to finance renovations and improvements through special purchase, refinance, or secondary loan options. Through their Second for Renovation loan, homeowners can receive up to $100,000 or more for upgrades like energy-efficiency improvements, aging-in-place modifications, or structural repairs. The loan is structured so that funds are placed in escrow and released as the work is completed. The program is open to owners of Type I manufactured homes that are permanently affixed and owner-occupied. Renovation plans must be reviewed and approved, and applicants will need to work with a licensed contractor—or show that they’re qualified to do the work themselves. Loans are based in part on the home’s “as-completed” appraised value, and eligibility may vary depending on creditworthiness and location.

There are also nonprofit organizations that may be able to help, depending on where you live and what you need. Groups like Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity sometimes offer free or low-cost repair services for low-income mobile home owners, seniors, or people with disabilities. Program availability and eligibility requirements may vary by county or change over time, so be sure to check with the administering organization for the most up-to-date information.

If you’re a mobile home owner in Alaska, these resources can make a real difference in maintaining the safety, value, and comfort of your home.

Overview:

  • The USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program offers loans and grants to help repair and improve your home.
  • The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s Renovation Loan Program allows eligible homeowners to finance renovations and improvements to their homes.
  • Non-profit organizations like Rebuilding Together and Habitat For Humanity sometimes offer low-cost repair surfaces for low-income households or homeowners with disabilities.

Programs and Resources:

USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program / Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Renovation Loan Program
https://www.ahfc.us/buy/renovation-loan-programs
Rebuilding Together / Find your local affiliate
https://rebuildingtogether.org/find-your-local-affiliate
Habitat for Humanity / Find your local habitat
https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/near-you/find-your-local-habitat