One of the most expensive purchases is buying a house. Purchasing a home is almost impossible without some form of financial assistance, with most homeowners taking anywhere from 15 to 30 years to fully pay off their house. It becomes even more daunting if you are already financially struggling, but there are several housing grants available specifically to assist lower income applicants. Even if you are living paycheck-to-paycheck, there are housing grants to help you find a home.

If you already own a home, there are still assistance programs available. These can help with paying your bills and utility costs. There are also financial assistance options if you rent your living space.

When it comes to government grants for housing assistance, the most notable option is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, more commonly known as Section 8 housing. Section 8 housing offers financial assistance using the titular housing vouchers. When you are in the program, you use the housing vouchers to cover a portion of your monthly expenses. Landlords participating in Section 8 set reasonable rates, designed to appeal to lower-income budgets.

The eligibility requirements for Section 8 housing vary depending on several factors. While there are financial requirements, these are determined by the median income based on the county where you are applying.

Additionally, factors like your average income, household size and who lives in your house affect eligibility. For example, parents with younger children or families caring for a senior citizen are considered higher priority.

If you are already receiving financial assistance through another program, such as SNAP, you are automatically eligible for Section 8. Because of the popularity of the program, you may be placed on a waiting list until a house is available. If there is no waiting list, you can choose your home based on whatever locations are available in your county.

If you already own a home but are struggling with the rising costs of heating and cooling, there is a grant available from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is open to lower-income household owners who need emergency financial assistance to help with either heating, cooling or making weatherization improvements to their home. Funding is available immediately, but you may only benefit from LIHEAP once in your lifetime.

Another option for housing assistance is the Rural House Repair Loans and Grant Program, Section 504. Section 504 covers any sort of repairs or improvement costs for lower-income applicants who live in rural areas. The eligibility requirements greatly vary based on location and the nature of the project.

If you are looking for help buying your first home and covering the closing costs or down payment, you can look for government-backed mortgages. The most common options are grants from either FHA or USDA. Both of these programs have significantly less requirements compared to traditional mortgages.