Many Memphis homeowners, especially seniors, are living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions due to the high cost of home repairs.
The good news is that multiple programs exist to help Memphians make home repairs for free. Eleven of these programs are listed below, along with their eligibility criteria and how to apply.
The bad news is that all of these groups are limited in the repairs they can make. These limits may be based on the home’s location, condition, homeowner’s age or other factors.
The biggest limitation on all of these groups is money: Experts tell MLK50: Justice Through Journalism that the demand for home repairs in Memphis far exceeds the funding available. That means the programs listed below are often overrun with applications or have extensive waitlists for services.
On any given day, many of these programs might not be accepting new applicants. But as they open their application periods throughout the year, homeowners may be able to access repair assistance that can significantly improve their quality of life.
Aging in Place – Habitat for Humanity
Repairs available: The exact home repairs the Aging in Place program can make depend on how much funding is available. They can include plumbing, roofing and structural repairs as well as handrails, ramps and other accessibility features. The program generally does not do electrical work or cosmetic work like painting, cabinet repair or window treatments.
Who qualifies: Applicants must be homeowners within Memphis city limits who live in their home full-time and don’t own any other properties. They must be up to date on their mortgage and property taxes, and have no liens against the home. All residents of the home must have ID, proof of income, and not appear on sex offender registries.
Specific requirements, like age range and income levels, vary based on available funding. For its January 2026 application period, the applicant age limit was 62 or older, and the income limit was at or below 50% of the Area Median Income, or AMI, which is $37,100 for a 2-person household or $46,350 for a 4-person household.
How to apply: Pre-applications are only accepted during the program’s call-in periods, which are announced online ahead of time. Prospective applicants must call the program hotline at 901-322-3500 at the opening time and leave a message with their name, address, ZIP code and phone number.
If you get a busy signal or an error message, continue calling until you are able to leave a message or until a message plays saying the call-in window is closed. According to the program’s website, its last call-in had 125 slots, which filled within minutes.
Emergency Repair Fund – Alliance for Housing Progress
Repairs available: This program focuses on urgent repair needs like air conditioning, accessibility improvements and unexpected damage, like a tree branch falling on a home during a storm.
Who qualifies: This program is open to homeowners of any age who live anywhere in Memphis. It doesn’t require a home inspection for small repairs. Instead, eligibility is based on how the repair will impact a resident’s immediate health and quality of life.
How to apply: Many clients are referred to the Alliance for Housing Progress through other assistance programs, but those needing immediate home repairs can call 901-283-7496 for screening.
Single Family Home Rehabilitation – CRA
Repairs available: The Community Redevelopment Agency’s Single Family Home Rehabilitation program makes repairs to around 30 homes per year in the Uptown and Binghampton neighborhoods. These can include roofing, plumbing, electrical and other repairs totaling up to $65,000 per home.
Who qualifies: Applicants must own their home and have lived in it for at least 3 years. The home must be located in the Uptown or Binghampton neighborhoods. Applicants must not have an income above the federal poverty level for their household size, which is $33,000 for a family of four in 2026. There are no age requirements.
How to apply: Interested homeowners can fill out a short form on the CRA’s website. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the online interest form generally stays open year-round. Applicants will need to show that their name is on the deed and prove that they live in the home by showing their name on a utility bill or similar document.
Shelby County Housing Rehabilitation Program
Repairs available: The Shelby County Housing Rehabilitation Program makes repairs to Shelby County homes outside of Memphis. The repairs can address safety hazards, code violations, weatherization and accessibility, up to a maximum of $36,000 per home. The program does not make cosmetic repairs.
Who qualifies: Applicants must be homeowners in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Millington, or unincorporated Shelby County. Applicants must also make at or below 80% of Area Median Income, which was most recently calculated at $74,150 for a family of four. There are no age restrictions. Homeowners who pay property taxes to the city of Memphis are not eligible.
How to apply: Applications for this program are open and accepted on a rolling basis through the Shelby County Participant Portal. Applicants can contact the program at 901-222-7600 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. with questions.
Home Accessibility & Safety Modifications – Reaching Back, Inc.
Repairs available: Reaching Back, Inc.’s Home Accessibility & Safety Modifications program offers a wide variety of home repairs, including structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, accessibility and other services when funding is available.
Who qualifies: Applicants must be senior homeowners aged 65 or older, have homeowner’s insurance, and live in Shelby County. According to the program’s website, applicants’ income must be at or below $34,100 for a two-person household or $42,600 for a four-person household.
How to apply: Seniors interested in applying for the program can add themselves to the waitlist by filling out the online intake form. Priority will be given to households with urgent safety risks in the home, such as unsafe electrical wiring, structural damage or lack of utilities. The program is only able to conduct repairs when funding is available.
Residential Repair and Rehabilitation Assistance Program – City of Memphis
Repairs Available: The city’s new RRRAP program is designed to make structural, health and safety repairs to prepare households for weatherization and energy efficiency improvements.
Who qualifies: This program focuses on homeowners in Memphis as well as renters, who can apply with permission from their landlord. The city prioritizes households making at or below 80% of Area Median Income and those that have been deemed ineligible for other repairs due to the condition of the home. There are no age qualifications.
How to apply: The city’s interest form for the program is currently closed and is expected to reopen in fall of 2026. Prospective applicants should sign up for the city’s Housing and Community Development newsletter and follow the department’s social media channels to get updates on future openings.
Applicants will need to provide proof of income, homeowners’ insurance and either be up to date on their property taxes or provide proof of a payment plan. They will also need their last 3 utility bills and 3 recent mortgage statements. Renters will need to provide a Renter Permission form and a Landlord Agreement form from their landlord.
Memphis Residential Accessibility Modification Program – City of Memphis
Repairs available: The Memphis RAMP program makes accessibility modifications for senior homeowners and those with disabilities. These can include adding ramps, installing handrails and making bathroom modifications, among other improvements.
Who qualifies: Applicants must be aged 62 or older or have a disability to qualify. They must make at or below 80% of Area Median Income and have lived in their home for at least one year. They must also be up to date on their mortgage, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and utility bills.
Homeowners experiencing an active foreclosure, bankruptcy, mortgage modifications, unresolved divorce proceedings or any outstanding liens on the home are not eligible for this program, with the exception of liens from other home repair programs.
How to apply: During the open application period, use the online application form. Once completed, applicants must provide the requested documentation, including ID, proof of income and other forms.
Weatherization Assistance Program – Tennessee Housing Development Agency
Repairs available: Administered locally by the Southwest Human Resource Agency, the THDA Weatherization Assistance Program assists homeowners with upgrades like air sealing, duct sealing and adding insulation to attics, walls and floors. These repairs can help keep heating and cooling costs down by preventing air from escaping the home.
Note: THDA’s home repair program was not included in this guide because it is not funding home repairs in Shelby County as of summer 2026.
Who qualifies: Households must have a total income under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. There are no age restrictions on this program, but priority is given to seniors and homes with children under 6 years old. Repairs are available to both homeowners and tenants — for tenants, the landlord has to approve the repairs and agree not to raise the rent for one year.
How to apply: Prospective applicants should call the Southwest Human Resource Agency at 731-989-5111 to have an application mailed or emailed to them. The following documents are required to apply:
- Valid ID for the applicant
- Social Security cards for everyone in the home
- Proof of residence in the home (like a lease or mortgage)
- Income documentation for the past 90 days
- A 12-month summary of the home’s energy bills
Applicants should hear back within 30 days about whether they are eligible for the program. Households with seniors or young children in the home or high energy burdens are given priority for weatherization upgrades. Applicants who remain on the waitlist must recertify their applications every calendar year to update their income and energy usage.
Home Uplift – TVA EnergyRight
Repairs available: The Home Uplift program through TVA EnergyRight provides repairs that decrease utility bills by improving home energy efficiency. These can include HVAC upgrades, attic and wall insulation and new appliances such as electric water heaters. The program does not do any roofing, plumbing or electrical work. On April 30, 2026, MLGW’s Share the Pennies program became part of this program.
Who qualifies: Applicants must be homeowners who get their electricity from a participating power company, including MLGW. Applicants must live in the home with a combined household income at or below 80% AMI. Apartments, mobile homes and homes less than one year old do not qualify.
How to apply: Applicants can check their eligibility and apply online for the program, or call 1-888-986-7262 to see whether they qualify. They will need to provide ID, proof of home ownership, proof of household income and a recent utility bill in their name.
Pest Control – Aging Commission of the Mid-South
Services available: The Aging Commission’s pest control program connects seniors to free pest control services in Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale and Fayette counties.
Who qualifies: The Aging Commission of the Mid-South serves seniors over the age of 60 and physically disabled adults. Its services are intended for seniors with low or no income. Clients are placed on a waiting list for services based on a variety of factors, including mobility, health issues, living conditions and other considerations.
How to apply: Prospective applicants should call 901-222-4111 for a phone screening to determine their eligibility for services, including pest control. If eligible, they will be placed on a waitlist for these services. Their place on the waitlist will be based on their level of need.
Did we miss a program that provides home repair assistance to Memphis homeowners? Have you had a positive or negative experience with any of the programs on this list? MLK50 wants to hear from you. Contact the author of this story at natalie.wallington@mlk50.com.