Federal agencies, the State of California, local governments, and utility companies all offer financial assistance programs for home improvements, energy upgrades, and repairs. This page is a working reference — updated as programs change.
Programs funded and administered at the federal level. Most are income-qualified. Applications typically go through local agencies, not directly to the federal government.
Loans for very-low-income homeowners to repair or modernize their homes. Grants (up to $10,000) available for elderly homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. Rural areas only.
FHA-insured loans for home repairs and improvements. Does not require equity in the home. Available through HUD-approved lenders. No collateral required for loans under $7,500.
Allows homebuyers and owners to finance renovation costs into their mortgage. Useful for purchasing a fixer-upper or funding major repairs as part of a refinance.
Federal block grants distributed to local governments for housing rehabilitation and safety improvements. Programs and amounts vary by city. Contact your local housing department to see what's available in your area.
Point-of-sale rebates for income-qualified homeowners on heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electrical panel upgrades, insulation, and wiring. Administered in California by the California Energy Commission.
Grants for veterans with service-connected disabilities to modify or build an accessible home. SAH is for permanent adaptations; SHA is for smaller modifications in homes owned by a family member.
California-specific programs funded and administered by state agencies. Many are income-qualified or targeted to specific groups such as seniors, veterans, or low-income households.
Provides grants to local agencies and nonprofits for housing rehabilitation assistance, homebuyer counseling, and technical assistance for low- and very-low-income households. Applied for through local agencies, not directly through HCD.
Free weatherization improvements for income-qualified homeowners and renters — insulation, air sealing, HVAC tune-ups, and energy efficiency measures. Find your local provider by zip code on the CSD website.
Statewide rebates for installation of qualifying heat pump HVAC systems. Must use a TECH-certified contractor. Can be stacked with federal IRA tax credits. Check availability — funding is limited and distributed regionally.
Low-interest financing for energy-efficient home improvements including insulation, HVAC, windows, solar, and more. Backed by PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SoCalGas. Terms from 5 to 20 years.
Funds for homeowners in disaster-impacted areas (wildfires, floods, etc.) to rebuild or rehabilitate their homes. Relevant for Southern California wildfire-affected areas. Check current eligibility by zip code.
Grants covering ADU pre-development costs — architectural plans, soil tests, permit fees, and other upfront expenses. Income limits apply. Does not cover construction costs. Apply through a CalHFA-approved lender before ADU construction begins.
Low-interest home improvement loans for California veterans and active military. No down payment required. Can be used for repairs, remodels, energy upgrades, and accessibility modifications.
Property Assessed Clean Energy financing for solar, roofing, windows, and HVAC. Repaid through property taxes — no home equity required. Available through CPUC-approved providers in California.
Southern California's major utilities — SCE, SoCalGas, LADWP, and SDGE — offer rebates and assistance programs for energy-efficient upgrades. Available to customers in their service areas.
Rebates for energy-efficient appliances, HVAC systems, smart thermostats, EV chargers, insulation, and more. Available to SCE residential customers. Programs change — check the current rebate finder on their site.
Rebates for energy-efficient natural gas appliances — water heaters, furnaces, pool heaters, dryers. Customers in January 2025 wildfire-impacted zip codes qualify for up to 50% increased rebates through December 2026. Also offers free Energy Savings Assistance for income-qualified customers.
Rebates for HVAC, water heaters, insulation, smart irrigation, and EV chargers. Income-qualified customers may qualify for free energy efficiency upgrades through the weatherization program. Service area: City of Los Angeles.
Rebates for appliances, HVAC, insulation, and energy audits. Also offers income-qualified weatherization and assistance programs. Service area: San Diego and southern Orange County.
Ongoing discounts on electric and gas utility bills for income-qualified households. CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) and FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) are available through all major CA utilities. Apply directly through your utility company.
Turf replacement and drought-tolerant landscaping rebates from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWDSC) and local water agencies. Check your local water agency for current amounts and eligibility.
Local programs funded through CDBG and other sources. Availability depends on your city or county. Many cities have their own housing improvement programs — contact your local housing department directly.
Grants for minor health and safety-related home repairs for low-to-moderate income homeowners in unincorporated LA County areas. Must own and occupy the property. Income limit: 80% of Area Median Income.
One of the more comprehensive city-level programs in Southern California. Funded by HUD/CDBG. Offers grants, rebates, and low-interest deferred loans for eligible low-income homeowners within city limits.
Most Southern California cities administer their own CDBG-funded housing programs. Programs vary significantly — some offer grants, some offer deferred loans, some require income qualification. Contact your city's housing or community development department directly.
Tax credits reduce what you owe at filing — different from rebates, which are paid upfront. Consult your tax professional to confirm eligibility. Some of these credits are set to expire or change.
30% tax credit on qualifying energy-efficient improvements: heat pumps, insulation, windows, doors, electrical panels, and energy audits. Annual cap of $3,200 total ($2,000 for heat pumps). Currently set to expire December 31, 2025 — verify status with your tax advisor.
30% credit on solar panels, solar water heaters, battery storage, geothermal heat pumps, and small wind turbines. No dollar cap. Currently scheduled to expire December 31, 2025 — verify current status with your tax advisor.
During our project planning phase, we review which grants, rebates, and financing programs may be available for your specific project and location. We don't apply on your behalf, but we can point you in the right direction before the work starts.