Home Repair Program
The place you call home should protect your health, support your independence, and give your family a stable foundation.
Habitat helps homeowners make repairs and improvements to their homes that they may not otherwise be able to afford.
IMPORTANT: Our repair program is currently PAUSED.
Contact us through the form below, and we’ll do our very best to provide referrals and resources.
Home Repairs with Habitat
We focus on the repairs that matter most to your health, safety, and independence. Working with local volunteers, skilled tradespeople, and community partners, Habitat makes critical repairs affordable.
Habitat offers home repairs for income-qualified homeowners on a seasonal basis. We’ve helped with:
- Ramps, handrails, and entryway modifications: improving access and reducing fall risk at entry points
- Porch and deck repairs: addressing structural hazards that threaten safety and weatherproofing
- Exterior accessibility modifications: customized improvements to support aging in place and disability-related needs
If you have another type of repair in mind, please contact us to discuss your needs. If your project doesn’t fit within the scope of our repair program, we’re happy to share resources for other opportunities and programs that might be able to assist.
Do You Qualify?
Our program is designed for homeowners who need support making critical repairs and who meet these criteria:
- You own and live in your home as your primary residence
- Your household income falls within our guidelines
- Your home has a safety-related repair or accessibility need
- You are willing to partner with us through the repair process
Not sure if you qualify? Contact us to get more details.
| Household Size | Max. Household Income |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $28,450 – $45,520 |
| 2 Person | $32,500 – $52,000 |
| 3 Person | $36,550 – $58,480 |
| 4 Person | $40,600 – $64,960 |
| 5 Person | $40,600 – $64,960 |
| 6 Person | $40,600 – $64,960 |
Words cannot express how thankful I am for all of you! I managed to look outside just now and it brought me to tears. The ramp is perfect! The craftsmanship and dedication displayed by the volunteers is by far the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.
– Brenda, Home Repair Participant
How the Process Works
Simple, transparent, and built around your needs.
Fill out the short interest form below or contact our team directly. We’ll review your information and reach out to discuss your needs and next steps.
We’ll schedule a conversation to learn more about your home, your household, and the repairs you need. This helps us understand your priorities and determine how we can help.
If your application moves forward, one of our team members will visit your home to evaluate the repair needs in person. This assessment guides the scope of work.
If approved, we’ll develop a repair plan with your input. You’ll know what work is being done, when, and by whom before anything begins.
Our team, volunteers, and skilled tradespeople complete the work. You stay informed throughout and have the chance to raise questions or concerns at any point.
Join the Waitlist: Home Repair Interest
Our ability to take on repair projects varies depending on the season, staffing, and availability of funding. We take on new projects when these resources are available. Share your contact info with us and we’ll consider your request, and share resources if we aren’t able to assist right away.
Home Repair Interest Form
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Home Repair Program FAQ
Everyone deserves a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity partners with local families, volunteers. and organizations to repair and preserve homes throughout Tompkins and Cortland Counties.
We focus on repairs that improve health, safety, and accessibility. This includes ramp installations, porch and deck repairs, exterior maintenance, and more — depending on your home’s specific needs. Every project is assessed individually. In general, we are not able to provide weatherization services or interior repairs.
We work with each homeowner to make repairs as affordable as possible. Habitat provides labor free of charge, and material costs may involve a modest contribution based on your income. We’ll be clear about any costs before work begins. No surprises.
Yes. You must own and live in your home as your primary residence to qualify. Renters are not eligible for this program, but we can help connect you with other local resources.
Timelines vary depending on the scope of work, funding availability, and volunteer scheduling. Once we receive your application, we’ll stay in contact and give you realistic expectations at each stage.
If you don’t qualify for our program, we’ll do our best to refer you to another local organization or resource that may be able to help. You won’t leave the conversation empty-handed.
Absolutely. A family member, caregiver, or trusted friend can help you complete the form. You can also contact our team and we’ll walk you through it together.
Yes. We’ve built ramps and can assist with other accessibility and safety modifications to help older homeowners stay in their homes and live safely and independently.
We welcome referrals from community partners. Contact us at to discuss connecting your clients with our program.