Financial assistance for low-income, older, and disabled homeowners and renters
29 programs listed · 26 verified against the program's own website
If you own or rent a home in the District of Columbia and you are living on a low income, are an older adult, or have a disability, this page lists the help available to you. Verified July 25, 2026.
Two phone numbers will get you almost anywhere. The Aging and Disability Resource Center at the Department of Aging and Community Living, 202-724-5626, is the front door for anyone 60 or older or living with a disability: home safety adaptations, Medicaid, SNAP, and the waiver that pays for ramps and stair lifts. For anything to do with energy, water, or utility bills, call 311 or the Department of Energy and Environment at 202-737-4404. For home repair grants and rental questions, the housing agency is at 202-442-7200 and the Housing Resource Center at 202-442-9505.
If you are thinking about sharing your home: the District has one rule that is unusually good news, and you should know it before anyone moves in. The 50% property tax reduction for older and disabled homeowners, and the $445,000 disabled veteran deduction, both count the income of everyone living in the household, but the law expressly excludes the income of a person who is a tenant under a written lease at fair market value. In plain terms: renting a room under a real written lease at a fair rent should not count against you, while an adult who simply moves in and shares expenses would. Get the lease in writing, and confirm your situation with the Office of Tax and Revenue before you sign. The homestead deduction and the assessment cap have no income test at all, so sharing your home never affects them. Almost everything else in the District does count household income, including Safe at Home, the home repair grants, weatherization, the Utility Discount Program, Solar for All, the two tax deferrals, and the Schedule H credit. On those, another adult’s income is added to your household total, though the income limit usually rises with household size too, so the net effect is not always negative.
Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities (EPD) Waiver: Environmental Accessibility Adaptation Services
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), enrollment through DACL
What you get
Physical adaptations to the home such as ramps, stair lifts, and grab bars for waiver participants; carpeting, roof repair, and air conditioning are excluded. No dollar cap published on the program page (2026)
Who qualifies
65 or older, or 18 to 64 with a physical disability
Income limit
Medicaid financial eligibility: assets not exceeding $4,000 and monthly income under $2,743 (figure shown as 2023 on the DACL page), or a Medicaid spend-down
How to apply
Contact the DACL Medicaid Services Enrollment Unit at 202-724-5626. A DC Medicaid provider completes a Prescription Order Form and Liberty Healthcare performs a face to face assessment. Participants must first apply to the DHCD accessibility grant at 202-442-7200
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Neighborhood village nonprofits, supported by DACL
What you get
Volunteer help that supports staying at home: rides to medical appointments and pharmacies, home repairs and yard work, grocery shopping, and small tasks such as changing light bulbs; membership dues set by each village (2026)
Who qualifies
older adults
Income limit
None documented; each village sets its own dues
How to apply
Use the interactive map on the DACL Villages page to find the village serving your neighborhood, then contact it about membership
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP): Roof Repair
stateHomeowners
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
What you get
Up to $20,000 for roof repair or replacement, within an overall SFRRP cap of 50% of the tax assessed value of the home (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Maximum household income by size: 1 person $91,874; 2 people $104,896; 3 people $118,008; 4 people $131,120; 5 people $144,232; 6 people $157,344; 7 people $170,456; 8 people $183,568 (current schedule as published 2026)
How to apply
Watch the required SFRRP video, submit the signed SFRRP Acknowledgement form, then work with one of the community based organizations listed on the DHCD site. Construction runs January 1 to September 30 of the approved fiscal year
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP): Accessibility Improvements, also called the Handicap Accessibility Improvement Program
stateHomeowners
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
What you get
Up to $30,000 for accessibility modifications that remove physical barriers in the home, including bathrooms, kitchens, ramps, stairs, stair lifts, walk-in showers, and walkways (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit; the District describes it as serving residents 60 and older and adults 18 and older with disabilities
Income limit
Same SFRRP household income schedule: 1 person $91,874 up to 8 people $183,568 (current schedule as published 2026)
How to apply
Apply through an SFRRP community based organization. Structural alterations require medical documentation from a physician
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), delivered by DC Affordable Law Firm and Legal Counsel for the Elderly
What you get
Free legal representation and technical assistance for probate and unclear title matters on District residential property; $1 million awarded to support the program (launched October 2, 2023)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Low-income households and individuals; no dollar figure published on the program page
How to apply
Contact DC Affordable Law Firm at 202-844-5430 or Legal Counsel for the Elderly at 202-434-2120
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
What you get
Covers the cost of replacing lead, galvanized, or brass pipe on the private portion of the water service line for enrolled homeowners; DOEE notifies each applicant of the assistance level approved (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Assistance level is determined after DOEE reviews the application; no published income tiers
How to apply
Apply online, by email, or by mail to DOEE at 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor. Provide a recent DC Water bill, photo ID, and proof of ownership. Wait for the Benefit Confirmation Letter before any work starts
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
The District is entirely urban, so Section 504 rural eligibility is very unlikely to apply anywhere in it.
Weatherization and energy efficiency
District of Columbia Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
What you get
No-cost insulation, duct sealing, air infiltration work, heating and cooling repair or replacement, roof repair, mold remediation, ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances, and water conservation measures (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
FY26 (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026) maximum household income: 1 person $61,841; 2 people $80,869; 3 people $99,897; 4 people $118,926; 5 people $137,954; up to $171,253 for 10 people. A household with a member receiving TANF or SSI qualifies regardless of income
How to apply
Apply through the DOEE online portal, by email, or by mail to DOEE Weatherization Assistance Program, 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
What you get
Solar electricity aimed at cutting participating households' electric bills by 50%, with a District goal of reaching 100,000 low and moderate income households by 2032 (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (2026)
How to apply
Apply at solarforall.doee.dc.gov. Homeowners can get panels installed on a single family home; renters, condominium owners, and apartment dwellers subscribe to community solar instead
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District of Columbia Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
federal-in-stateOwners or renters
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
What you get
One-time benefit of $200 to $1,800 depending on household size, income, heating source, and type of home (FY26)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
FY26 (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026): 1 person $61,841; 2 people $80,869; 3 people $99,897; 4 people $118,926, rising with household size
How to apply
Applications are submitted online, by mail, or in person at a DOEE Energy Center when available. Bring photo ID, recent utility bills, proof of income, and Social Security cards for everyone in the household
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
What you get
Emergency energy assistance for a household with an arrearage of $250 or more remaining after the regular benefit, where service has been disconnected or heating fuel is at 5% or less of tank capacity (FY26)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Same FY26 LIHEAP income schedule: 1 person $61,841 up to $171,253 for 10 people
How to apply
Apply through the same DOEE energy assistance application; call 311 or DOEE about a disconnection or a fuel emergency
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), Utility Affordability Administration
What you get
Up to $475 per year off electric bills ($300 per year without electric heat), up to $276 during the winter season off gas bills, and over $962 per year off water and sewer bills (FY26)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
FY26 (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026) maximum household income: 1 person $91,800; 2 people $104,900; 3 people $118,000; 4 people $131,100; 5 people $141,600; 6 people $152,100; 7 people $162,600; 8 people $173,100
How to apply
Apply online through the DOEE portal at dc-ecosproduction.azurewebsites.us, or mail the application to Department of Energy and Environment, Attn: Utility Affordability Administration, 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor, Washington DC 20002. Call 311 for help
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC) Residential Relief and DC Water Customer Assistance Programs
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
discount
Who runs it
District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) with DC Water
What you get
CAP+ and CAP1: 75% reduction in the monthly Clean Rivers charge plus a Water Service Replacement Fee waiver, about $134 and about $95 saved per month; CAP2: 50% reduction, about $62 per month; CAP3: 75% off the monthly Clean Rivers charge, about $16 per month (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Tied to the DC Water Customer Assistance Program tier you are placed in; specific income bands are not published on the DOEE page
How to apply
Apply through the DOEE utility assistance application, which screens for the Customer Assistance Program tiers at the same time
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
What you get
A deduction from the assessed value of an owner-occupied home. The DC Code sets the amount at $67,500 increased annually since October 1, 2012 by the cost-of-living adjustment and rounded down to the next lowest multiple of $50
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
None; the homestead deduction itself is not income tested
How to apply
File the homestead application through MyTax.DC.gov. It is a one-time filing, but you must notify the District when your eligibility changes
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Senior Citizen or Disabled Property Owner Tax Relief
stateHomeowners
Type of help
reduction
Who runs it
District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
What you get
A 50% reduction in real property tax liability, taken on top of the homestead deduction
Who qualifies
65 or older
Income limit
Household adjusted gross income less than $125,000, increased annually since October 1, 2014 by the applicable cost-of-living adjustment and rounded down to the next lowest multiple of $50
How to apply
File through MyTax.DC.gov once you turn 65 or are determined disabled. You must own at least 50% of the home or cooperative unit on the deed
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
What you get
$445,000 deducted from the assessed value of a home that already qualifies for the homestead deduction
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
The household must be an eligible household as defined for the Senior Citizen or Disabled Property Owner relief, which uses the household adjusted gross income ceiling in DC Code 47-863
How to apply
File through MyTax.DC.gov with your U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability determination
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Owner-Occupant Residential Tax Credit (assessment cap credit)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
credit
Who runs it
District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
What you get
Limits the taxable assessment to 110% of the prior year's taxable assessment. For a home receiving both the homestead deduction and the Senior Citizen or Disabled Property Owner relief, the multiplier drops to 102%
Who qualifies
no age limit for the 110% cap; the 102% cap applies to owners 65 or older or with a disability who receive the tax relief deduction
Income limit
None for the 110% cap itself. The 102% cap requires the income-tested Senior Citizen or Disabled Property Owner relief
How to apply
Applied automatically to properties receiving a homestead deduction; no separate application. It does not apply in a year the property was transferred to a new owner
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Tax Deferral for Low-Income Senior Property Owners
stateHomeowners
Type of help
deferral
Who runs it
District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
What you get
Lets you postpone paying real property tax. Deferred tax carries simple interest at 0.5% per month until paid, and no further deferral is allowed once deferred tax plus interest reaches 25% of the assessed value
Who qualifies
65 or older
Income limit
Household adjusted gross income less than $50,000
How to apply
File a deferral application with the District, certified under penalty of perjury, through MyTax.DC.gov
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
What you get
Postpones real property tax at simple interest of 0.5% per month, with no further deferral once the deferred tax plus interest reaches 25% of the assessed value for the tax year
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Household adjusted gross income less than $50,000
How to apply
File a deferral application with the District, certified under penalty of perjury, through MyTax.DC.gov
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Schedule H Homeowner and Renter Property Tax Credit
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
credit
Who runs it
District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
What you get
A refundable credit set at $1,200 for tax year 2019 and increased annually by the cost-of-living adjustment, rounded to the nearest $25
Who qualifies
no age limit; a claimant who is 70 or older at any time during the tax year qualifies under a separate statutory category with a higher income ceiling
Income limit
Household income up to $55,000 as of 2019, or up to $75,000 as of 2019 for a claimant 70 or older, with both figures increased annually by the cost-of-living adjustment based on the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Consumer Price Index
How to apply
File Schedule H with your District individual income tax return. You can claim it even if you do not otherwise have to file
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District of Columbia Property Insurance Facility (the District's FAIR Plan)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
service
Who runs it
District of Columbia Property Insurance Facility, overseen by the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
What you get
Last-resort homeowners insurance for owner-occupied houses, condominiums, and townhouses, dwelling property insurance for rental property, and commercial fire coverage. Policies do not cover flood (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
None; eligibility rests on being unable to obtain coverage in the competitive market, not on income
How to apply
Apply through a licensed property and casualty insurance producer, or directly with the Facility. Send a copy of the cancellation or nonrenewal notice from your current carrier with the application
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Health Insurance Counseling / State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
District of Columbia Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL)
What you get
Free Medicare information, counseling, education, and help with unpaid medical bills, appeals of denied services, and getting prescription medications (2026)
Who qualifies
Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers
Income limit
None; free to all Medicare beneficiaries regardless of income
How to apply
Call the counseling line, email ship.dacl@dc.gov, or visit 250 E Street SW, Washington DC 20024. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Thursday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
The Property Insurance Facility solves the problem of not being able to get coverage, not the problem of affording it. Note that the Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program requires active homeowners insurance, so a lapsed policy can also cost you access to repair grants. Check with the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking if a new program launches.
HomeShare-relevant extras
Accessory Apartment zoning permission (11 DCMR Subtitle U, Section 253)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
service
Who runs it
District of Columbia Office of Zoning and Department of Buildings
What you get
One accessory apartment allowed in a principal dwelling or an accessory building as a matter of right in every R zone except R-19 and R-20, where it needs a special exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment (2016 Zoning Regulations, current 2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
None
How to apply
Confirm your zone, then apply for a building permit and zoning review through the Department of Buildings. A proposal that does not meet the Section 253 conditions goes to the Board of Zoning Adjustment as a special exception
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Rent control and the Elderly or Disabled Tenant status notice
stateRenters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development, Rental Accommodations Division (RAD)
What you get
Limits on annual rent increases for covered rental units, with a separate notice (Form 6, Tenant's Notice to Housing Provider of Elderly or Disabled Status) that a tenant files to claim protections tied to age or disability (2026)
Who qualifies
protections tied to elderly status apply to qualifying older tenants
Income limit
None; rent control is not income tested
How to apply
Check whether your unit is registered as covered or exempt at RentRegistry.dc.gov, then file Form 6 with your housing provider if you qualify. Contact the Rental Accommodations Division at dhcd.rad@dc.gov
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
The closest local equivalents are the neighborhood Villages, which build the kind of trusted local network that home sharing depends on.
Programs that work the same in every state
Some of the biggest sources of help are federal and work much the same everywhere, including USDA Section 504 home repair, LIHEAP energy assistance, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and VA housing grants. They are described once, in detail, on our federal programs page, and the entries above give you the District of Columbia contacts.
One more option
Sharing your home is not on this list, but it belongs beside it.
Every program here helps you afford the home you have. Home sharing does something different: it turns a spare room into steady income and company. It is worth considering before you sell, before you move, and before things get harder to manage alone.