Help with housing costs

Missouri

Financial assistance for low-income, older, and disabled homeowners and renters

28 programs listed · 26 verified against the program's own website

If you own or rent a home in Missouri 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 further than any website. The Missouri Senior Resource Line, 800-235-5503, connects you by ZIP code to one of the 10 Area Agencies on Aging that cover every county in the state, and they handle in-home services, minor home repairs, meals, transportation, and referrals. For utility bills and energy costs, call the Family Support Division at 855-373-4636 (855-FSD-INFO). If you are looking for local housing help of any kind, 2-1-1 is the general front door.

If you are thinking about sharing your home: the programs that hinge on income are the energy ones. Missouri’s Energy Assistance and Energy Crisis Intervention Program both measure your whole household against an income guideline for your household size and a $3,000 liquid asset limit, so another adult’s income is counted and can change what you qualify for. Weatherization, the utility bill credit programs, and the home repair grants also look at household income, but none of them spell out in writing how they treat an unrelated adult who moves in, so confirm with the program before anyone moves in. The good news is that Missouri’s two biggest property tax benefits for older homeowners work differently. The county-level freeze on property tax increases has no income test at all, so sharing your home does not affect it. Free Medicare counseling and the state’s last-resort property insurance have no income test either. The Property Tax Credit Claim does depend on income, and its published limits are stated for single filers and for married couples filing combined without saying how another adult in the house is handled, so check with the Department of Revenue before you count on it.

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Everything below, in one file you can print or take to an appointment.

Home modification and aging in place

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Home Modifications

state Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Senior and Disability Services
What you get
Covered changes to a home to improve safety and accessibility, plus personal care, home-delivered meals, respite, transportation, adult day care, and medical supplies and equipment such as lift chairs and walkers; services are capped by a cost maximum tied to the monthly cost of skilled nursing facility care (2026)
Who qualifies
18 or older
Income limit
Must be enrolled in Medicaid (MO HealthNet); no separate dollar figure published on the eligibility page
How to apply
Anyone can make a referral, including the person themselves, family, friends, or a physician. Call the statewide Intake and Person-Centered Care Planning team at 866-835-3505 or submit an online referral; a face-to-face home visit follows to determine nursing facility level of care
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.

Show Me Loans

state Homeowners
Type of help
loan
Who runs it
Missouri Assistive Technology
What you get
General assistive technology loan $500 to $15,000; Micro Loan under $500; Accessible Vehicle Loan up to $50,000; WorkAbility Loan $500 to $15,000. Interest rate 2% to 4% depending on income (2026)
Who qualifies
any age of legal contract age; family members may also apply
Income limit
No published income cap; income determines whether the rate is 2% or 4%. Applicant must be financially able to afford a monthly payment
How to apply
Complete the Show Me Loans application form on the Missouri Assistive Technology site and supply vendor quotes for the equipment or work
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.

Device Reutilization and Swap 'n Shop

state Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Missouri Assistive Technology
What you get
Reused wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, canes, crutches, shower chairs, positioning equipment, wheelchair parts, and sometimes vision, hearing, and communication aids, at no or little cost (2026)
Who qualifies
any age
Income limit
None published; no income test stated
How to apply
Contact the reutilization center nearest you from the list of 10 community partner locations, or call Missouri Assistive Technology. Swap 'n Shop is a free online classified marketplace for donating, selling, or locating equipment
If you share your home: this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.

Area Agency on Aging supportive services, including minor home repairs and in-home services

state Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services through 10 Area Agencies on Aging
What you get
Information and assistance, transportation, legal services, nutrition and home-delivered meals, health and wellness programs, caregiver support, in-home personal care and homemaker help, minor home repairs, and home modifications; each agency sets its own mix based on local need (2026)
Who qualifies
typically 60 or older; no age requirement published on the state page
Income limit
None published for information and assistance; individual services may ask for a voluntary contribution
How to apply
Call the Missouri Senior Resource Line at 800-235-5503 and enter your ZIP code to be connected to your local agency, or find yours at ma4web.org
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.

Home repair and deferred maintenance

HeRO Home Repair Assistance Program

state Homeowners
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Missouri Housing Development Commission, delivered by participating local agencies
What you get
Home repair grants for non-cosmetic repairs to owner-occupied single-family homes; per-home caps are set in the annual program guidance rather than on the public page (fiscal years 2024 through 2026 guidance posted)
Who qualifies
no age requirement published
Income limit
Income-qualifying Missouri residents; limits follow the federal HOME program and are set in the annual application guidance (2026)
How to apply
You do not apply to the state. Contact a participating agency from the list on the HeRO page; the agency takes applications and awards the funds
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.

Missouri Housing Trust Fund (MHTF)

state Owners or renters
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Missouri Housing Development Commission
What you get
Funds homelessness prevention, rehabilitation or new construction of rental housing, rental assistance, and home repair. Annual funding comes from a $3.00 recording fee on real estate documents filed statewide, so the amount available changes year to year (2026)
Who qualifies
no age requirement published
Income limit
Very low income families and individuals; specific thresholds are set in the annual notice of funding availability
How to apply
Individuals do not apply to the state. Developers and nonprofit organizations apply to the Commission, usually after a notice of funding availability published in summer, then serve residents locally. Call 2-1-1 to find a funded agency near you
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.

Missouri Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

state Homeowners
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Missouri Department of Economic Development
What you get
Federal block grant passed through to small cities and counties. Fiscal year 2026 competitive cycle categories listed are community facilities, general infrastructure, and demolition; housing rehabilitation is an eligible CDBG activity generally but was not among the listed 2026 competitive categories
Who qualifies
no age requirement
Income limit
Projects must primarily benefit low and moderate income persons under the federal national objective (2026)
How to apply
You do not apply directly. Ask your city, village, or county whether it runs a housing rehabilitation program. Only non-entitlement communities can apply to the state; larger entitlement cities receive their own federal allocation and run their own programs
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.

USDA Section 504 Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants

federal-in-state Homeowners Not confirmed

We could not open this program's own website to check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call or visit the program before relying on anything here.

Type of help
loan and grant
Who runs it
USDA Rural Development, Missouri state office
Who qualifies
62 or older required for grants; loans have no age minimum
Income limit
Very low income, defined by county
How to apply
Apply through the Missouri USDA Rural Development office; the property must be in a designated rural area
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.

Weatherization and energy efficiency

Missouri Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program

state Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, delivered by a statewide network of 18 local weatherization agencies
What you get
No-cost energy audit by a certified auditor, installation of efficiency measures by a crew, and a quality control inspection afterward (2026)
Who qualifies
no age requirement
Income limit
Income-eligible households; the department points to the federal poverty guidelines notice for the current year's limits
How to apply
Contact your local weatherization agency, which will have you complete forms and provide income documentation before scheduling the audit. The state energy office can point you to the right agency
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.

Ameren Missouri Weatherization Assistance

utility Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Ameren Missouri, delivered through participating Missouri energy assistance agencies
What you get
Home energy conservation services and energy-efficient home improvements for income-qualified Ameren Missouri households (2026)
Who qualifies
no age requirement
Income limit
Up to 200% of the federal poverty level; Ameren gives examples of $31,920 for one person and $66,000 for a household of four (2026)
How to apply
Use the Ameren agency finder at ameren.com/account/agency-finder to reach a participating Missouri energy assistance agency
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.

Evergy Income-Eligible Weatherization

utility Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Evergy
What you get
Free insulation and air sealing for qualified households (2026)
Who qualifies
no age requirement
Income limit
Income-eligible; Evergy does not publish the threshold on its assistance page
How to apply
Call Evergy customer service or visit an Evergy Connect location to check eligibility and enroll
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.

Utility bill assistance and discounts

Energy Assistance (EA), Missouri's LIHEAP heating and cooling benefit

federal-in-state Owners or renters
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, delivered by contracted local agencies
What you get
A one-time payment toward one fuel type for heating or cooling costs, available October through May (program year 2025-2026)
Who qualifies
no age requirement
Income limit
At or below the state income guideline for your household size, and $3,000 or less in liquid assets (2026)
How to apply
Apply online, or by mail or fax to the contracted agency serving your county. Processing takes about 30 business days unless it is a crisis. Call 855-373-4636 (855-FSD-INFO)
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.

Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)

federal-in-state Owners or renters
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, delivered by contracted local agencies
What you get
Winter benefit November through May up to $800; summer benefit June through September up to $300 (program year 2025-2026)
Who qualifies
no age requirement
Income limit
Same household-size income guideline as Energy Assistance, plus $3,000 or less in liquid assets (2026)
How to apply
Apply through your contracted local agency once you have a disconnect notice with a date, a terminated account notice, a propane tank below 20% capacity, or another fuel source running out
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.

Cold Weather Rule

state Owners or renters
Type of help
disconnection protection
Who runs it
Missouri Public Service Commission
What you get
Prohibits disconnection of heat-related service from November 1 through March 31 when the temperature is forecast to drop below 32 degrees in the following 24 hours; allows reconnection for less than the full amount owed, budget payments spread over 12 months, and extension of existing arrears over 12 months
Who qualifies
any age; registration as an elderly or disabled customer is available at 65 or older
Income limit
None for the basic protection. To be a registered low-income elderly or disabled customer, household income must be less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines
How to apply
Contact your utility to enter a Cold Weather Rule payment agreement, and register with the utility as an elderly or disabled customer if you are 65 or older, have a physician's medical form on file, or have a federal disability award letter. Call the Public Service Commission at 800-392-4211 with questions
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.

Ameren Missouri Keeping Cool

utility Owners or renters
Type of help
credit
Who runs it
Ameren Missouri, delivered through participating agencies
What you get
Up to five bill credits of $50 each, one per month from May through September (2026)
Who qualifies
targeted to older adults; also open to households with children under 5
Income limit
Up to 250% of the federal poverty level; Ameren gives examples of $39,900 for one person and $82,500 for a household of four (2026)
How to apply
Complete the Keeping Cool application form and submit it through one of the agencies in Ameren's agency directory
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.

Ameren Missouri Keeping Current

utility Owners or renters
Type of help
credit
Who runs it
Ameren Missouri, delivered through participating agencies
What you get
A monthly bill credit plus help reducing the total amount owed; enrollment is limited at this time (2026)
Who qualifies
no age requirement
Income limit
Up to 200% of the federal poverty level; Ameren gives examples of $31,920 for one person and $66,000 for a household of four (2026)
How to apply
Review Ameren's agency list, contact a participating agency, and complete the Keeping Current application form
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.

Ameren Missouri's assistance page lists bill credits and arrearage help rather than a standing discounted rate, and notes that its natural gas service discount applies to Ameren Illinois customers only. Evergy's assistance page lists payment plans, a medical customer program, a medical extension of at least 21 days, an adjustable due date for Social Security and SSI recipients, and weatherization, but no discounted rate.

Property tax relief

Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim (MO-PTC)

state Owners or renters
Type of help
credit
Who runs it
Missouri Department of Revenue
What you get
Up to $750 for renters and up to $1,100 for people who owned and occupied their home; the actual amount depends on the real estate tax or rent you paid and your total household income, taxable and nontaxable (2025 tax year)
Who qualifies
65 or older, or 60 or older and receiving surviving spouse Social Security benefits
Income limit
Renters and part-year owners: $27,200 single, $29,200 married filing combined. Owned and occupied the entire year: $30,000 single, $34,000 married filing combined (2025 tax year)
How to apply
File online through MyTax Missouri, or file paper Form MO-PTC if you are not required to file an income tax return, or Form MO-1040 with MO-PTS if you are. The department offers free tax assistance
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.

Senior Real Property Tax Relief Credit (RSMo 137.1050)

state Homeowners
Type of help
freeze
Who runs it
Missouri counties under state law, adopted by county ordinance or voter referendum
What you get
A credit equal to the difference between your real property tax on your homestead this year and your tax in your initial credit year, which freezes your bill at the base year. If your tax later falls below that base, the lower year becomes the new base (statute effective August 28, 2025)
Who qualifies
62 or older
Income limit
None in the statute; not income-tested
How to apply
Ask your county assessor or collector whether your county has adopted the credit and request the application. Counties set their own application and renewal windows
If you share your home: this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.

Clay County Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program

county-city Homeowners
Type of help
freeze
Who runs it
Clay County, Missouri
What you get
Relief calculated by subtracting the base year real estate tax from the current year tax. People who first applied in 2025 have a base tax year of 2024. Relief is not retroactive (2026)
Who qualifies
62, or turning 62 during the calendar year of application
Income limit
None; no income test
How to apply
Apply or renew with Clay County between January 1 and March 31 each year. The 2026 window ran January 1 through March 31, 2026, and is now closed; the next window is in 2027. Renewal is required every year
If you share your home: this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.

We did not identify a program in this category. That does not always mean none exists, so it is worth asking your city or county.

HomeShare-relevant extras

Kansas City Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (Ordinance 220698)

county-city Homeowners
Type of help
service
Who runs it
City of Kansas City, Missouri
What you get
Permits accessory dwelling units, attached or detached, on residential lots with a detached dwelling; passed September 15, 2022
Who qualifies
no age requirement
Income limit
None
How to apply
Apply for a permit through Kansas City's planning and development process; check the current zoning and development code before you design anything
If you share your home: this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.

HOPE (Housing Options Provided for the Elderly)

nonprofit Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
HOPE, a St. Louis area nonprofit
What you get
Free case management and housing counseling for people 60 and older in the St. Louis area, a compiled list of subsidized and affordable housing options, and reverse mortgage (HECM) counseling nationwide (2026)
Who qualifies
60 or older for case management
Income limit
None identified for case management
How to apply
Call 314-776-0155 for case management in the St. Louis area, or 844-432-6467 for reverse mortgage counseling
If you share your home: this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.

Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA)

state Renters
Type of help
voucher
Who runs it
Missouri Housing Development Commission, with referrals from the Department of Social Services and the Department of Mental Health
What you get
Project-based rental assistance at participating properties in the Commission's portfolio (2026)
Who qualifies
18 through 61
Income limit
Extremely low income, and either experiencing homelessness or at risk of institutionalization
How to apply
You cannot apply directly. Referrals come through the Missouri Department of Social Services or the Department of Mental Health, which screen and refer you to participating properties. If you are homeless or at risk, call 2-1-1 and press 6 for homeless services
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.

We did not identify a program in this category. That does not always mean none exists, so it is worth asking your city or county.

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 Missouri 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.

See how home sharing works