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Philadelphia is often described as a “city of neighborhoods” – many of which have an aging housing stock. With this comes the need for repairs and renovations, which can be costly.
“We have a very high homeownership rate in the city, kind of coupled with the poverty,” said Andrew Thayne, the director of Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program. “We see a lot of homes where homeowners were not able to keep up with the needed maintenance on the home.”
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, costs for non-cooling repair needs nationwide have increased for all areas except pest control from 2022-24. This means it is more expensive to pay for repairs involving leaks and mold, structures, electrical issues, heating and plumbing.
So, how can you get the help you need – especially with repairs that present a higher price tag? We’ve got you covered with this guide of home repairs throughout the city.
City programs
Basic Systems Repair Program
The city’s Basic Systems Repair Program gives free repairs for electrical, plumbing, heating, limited structural and carpentry, and roofing emergencies in eligible, owner-occupied homes.
The program includes help for emergencies such as leaking water service or sewer lines, roof leaks that have caused a small section of the roof to collapse, and dangerous electrical conditions like overheating.
There are various eligibility requirements for homeowners. They must meet income guidelines, live in the home where the problem exists, not own any other residential property and be current or under current payment agreement for their property taxes and water bills.
To apply, you can use the One Philly Front Door portal’s online questionnaire. If you can’t apply online, you can call a PHDC operator at 215-448-2160 from Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
You’ll need to provide information including your source of income, the amount and frequency of income before taxes and birthdate, gender, marital status, race and ethnicity for every member of your household.
Adaptive Modifications Program
Philly’s Adaptive Modifications Program helps provide low-income Philadelphians who have permanent physical disabilities with adaptations that allow them to live more independently and accessibly.
The program provides services like accessible kitchens and bathrooms, stairway elevators, widened doorways and railings for eligible properties.
Eligibility requirements vary for this program. Those who apply must meet income guidelines, have a permanent physical disability, be either the owner-occupant or have the owner’s permission to make modifications, live in a property that is structurally sound and be current with property taxes.
To apply, you can use the One Philly Front Door portal’s online questionnaire. If you can’t apply online, you can call a PHDC operator at 215-448-2160 from Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
You’ll need several pieces of information – first, you’ll need proof of your disability from your physician. Second, you’ll need the source, amount and frequency of income before taxes and birthdate, gender, marital status, race and ethnicity for every member of your household.
Restore, Repair and Renew Program
If you need low-interest loans to improve your home in Philly, this program could be good for you. The city’s Restore, Repair and Renew Program (RRR) offers 10-year, 3% fixed APR loans from $2,500 to $50,000 to eligible homeowners.
The program provides services like financial counseling, help identifying necessary repairs, connections with a participating lender, assistance finding a contractor and help applying for a loan.
Eligible repairs funded by the program include window and door repair and replacement, HVAC system and water heater repair or replacement, mold and radon mitigation and improvements and upgrades related to health, safety and quality of life.
There are different eligibility requirements for this program. You can apply if your primary residence needs repairs, your credit score is above 580, you have homeowners insurance, you are up to date on public utilities and taxes and you do not have L & I violations.
There are also income requirements, which are listed online.
To apply, you can reach out to the local organization Clarifi. You can visit their website, email them or call them at 215-866-5200.
Heater Hotline Program
This program provides emergency repairs to heaters, and it is run by the Energy Coordinating Agency.
The heating team can make repairs on things like oil burners, gas valves, thermostats and heating controls, chimney and flue, circulators and blowers and heat pipes.
To be eligible for this program, you must own and occupy the single-family home where repairs need to be done, you must have a heating system in need of repair and not replacement and you must have a household income not greater than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can learn more about the program online and contact the organization at 215-568-7190.
Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program (SHARP)
If you’re a senior looking for repairs and modifications in your home, this program may be the most helpful for you. The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program provides minor repairs and services for income-eligible Philadelphia seniors who are also homeowners.
The program provides home repair services like fixing leaky faucets and toilets, electrical fixtures and wooden basement steps. It can also provide help with installing home modifications like grab bars, railing and intercoms.
To be eligible for this program, residents must be 60 or older, own their home and have a structurally sound house with all utilities functioning. The services are free for those with a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Help may be available for those above this income range, but are on a cost-sharing basis.
To request assistance, you can use the PCA’s Request Assistance form, available on its website. You must fill out some personal information, like your name and contact information, and a PCA member will return your query within two business days. You can also call them at 215-765-9040.
Rental Improvement Fund
This unique program provides help for small landlords to make needed repairs on their properties, under the condition that they maintain reasonable rents.
The Rental Improvement Fund (RIF) includes, but is not limited to, services like repairs to roofs, windows or doors, repairs to deteriorated floors and ceilings and asbestos and mold remediation. Loan funds can be used for “any approved repair that addresses a safety, health, habitability, energy efficiency or water efficiency concern.”
There are specific eligibility requirements for these loans. This includes ensuring that landlords who apply own no more than 15 rental units across no more than 5 rental properties, and that landlords have units where rent is affordable to households earning at or under 60% AMI. You can find the full list of eligibility requirements online.
The application process is detailed as well. Applicants must attend an information session, where they can gather required application materials. This includes repair estimates and current leases, as well as a tenant notice form. Finally, a loan application can be submitted.
For specific details and more information, you can visit the RIF FAQ site.
Nonprofit/organizational resources
Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Program
Habitat for Humanity offers a range of non-emergency home repairs for eligible homeowners in the city through its Home Repair Program.
The program’s director Andrew Thayne says the program focuses on a “partnership approach rather than a typical contractor relationship.”
“We’re starting by looking through the major systems in the house, so things like roofing, heating, plumbing, electrical and structure,” he said. “And we’re looking through all of these major systems, to ensure that they meet our set of minimum home quality standards.”
“From there, we have a project manager who is assigned to each homeowner. They build out a written scope of work to address the needs that we have identified through our home inspection. We deploy a team of trusted subcontractors, and we have our own internal carpentry staff as well that we deploy to make these repairs.”
Thayne said Philly has aging housing stock that is often passed down through generations. He explained these homes can tend to have infrastructure that causes issues.
“Some classic examples would be a roof leak or a plumbing leak that a homeowner can’t afford to address initially that continues and grows, and it starts to cause structural issues,” he said.
He said the program’s goal is to help those who find themselves in these situations, but also help to stop the problem before it develops into an emergency.
“We see people in situations where they’re not living in a home that is safe, warm and dry, and we want to ensure that we’re able to help as many homeowners in that situation that we can,” he said.
To apply for the program, there are some eligibility requirements. Participants must not make more than 80% of the area median income (information on that can be found on Habitat’s website). They must also own their homes and not owe any back taxes.
If you qualify, you can go move forward with next steps, Thayne said.
“There’s an expression of interest on our website where homeowners can list their contact information and their general concerns,” he said. “As new spaces in our home repair program open up, they will be contacted to complete a full application. They’ll be vetted by our services team, and then ultimately get approved. They’ll then be moved over to our build team, and we can start the home inspection process.”
Thayne said the program has helped hundreds of Philadelphians with these home repairs, and is working on future collaborations to help make home repairs even more affordable.
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia helps to provide free home repairs to income-eligible homeowners in select parts of the city.
Billy Penn spoke with Brandon Alcorn, the director of operations for the organization, earlier this year.
“We want to make homes safe for seniors, healthy for kids, and safe assets to pass on to the next generation,” he said. “We provide repairs in about 150 homes a year through a variety of different programs, and our staff members, together with community partners, identify homeowners or tenants that need repairs, we go out and do an inspection in the home to see what repairs are needed, and then provide those repairs.”
RTP works with a list of health and safety priorities to determine repairs that need to be made. This can include looking at smoke detectors, checking that homes are free of pests, making sure residents who need help bathing/toileting have appropriate resources, and more.
To qualify for this program, you must meet several requirements. You must live within the organization’s service map – mainly serving North and West Philly. Additionally, you must own the home, and the home must be in need of health and safety repairs. Finally, the home must meet income requirements.
Finally, you can call 215-965-0777 to get added to the waitlist. From there, the organization will reach out for next steps as space becomes available.
Philadelphia Energy Authority’s Built to Last Program
Built to Last aggregates available housing repair and energy affordability programs for homeowners to help them navigate complex systems and find resources that are available for them.
To be eligible for the program, you must own and occupy your home, and it must be the only property you own. There are also income limits – that can be found on their website. Finally, you must be current on your property taxes and water bill, and plan to remain in your home for at least three years after repairs are completed.
The process starts by filling out an intake form. From there, applicants will be contacted by intake staff to collect documentation, including proof of income, recent utility bills, ID, proof of homeownership, proof of property tax payment or payment arrangement, and relevant release forms and affidavits.
If accepted, a home assessment will be conducted, a customized project plan will be created, and the program will coordinate with partners to complete the full range of services.
To learn more or apply, head to Built to Last’s website.
Inglis Home Modifications for Independence
This program provides grant-funded home modifications for eligible homeowners and renters who want to remain independent.
The Home Modifications for Independence Program provides the modifications for those with various disabilities, including those living with traumatic spinal cord injuries, as well as older adults. Modifications may include things like grab bars/railings for bathrooms, widened doors, motorized chair lifts or fall prevention/safety features.
This is a statewide program serving all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. In 2025, the program served over 100 people, and completed over 40 home modification projects.
The program has certain eligibility and income requirements. You can learn more and fill out their intake form online.
Urban Resources Development Corporation’s Home Repair Program
The Urban Resources Development Corporation is a northwest Philly-based organization focused on stabilizing housing in Germantown, Mt. Airy and East/West Oak Lane. The interfaith, nonprofit organization has a home repair program, which helps elderly and low-income homeowners with repairs.
While URDC mainly works in its neighborhoods and congregations to identify eligible homeowners, you can also recommend yourself or another homeowner who needs repairs using this form. The repairs are limited to a scope of no more than $5,000, and financial assistance is generally limited to $2,500. This service often requires that the homeowner pay for some portion of the repair.
To learn more and apply for repairs, visit Urban Resources Development Corporation’s website.
Other resources
Community Legal Service’s home repair legal advice
Community Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Philadelphians – including help with home repair processes.
CLS can provide help for those who were victims of unfair or deceptive acts by a home repair contractor, counseling about loan options for repair payments and referrals to nonprofit housing counselors.
You can either walk in to the organization’s Center City or North Philadelphia offices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon for help, or call them at 215-981-3700 for more information.
Tenant Union Representative Network’s Repair Clinic
This Philadelphia organization advocates for tenants and provides them with counseling, hotline assistance and workshops.
TURN’s weekly Repair Clinic educates tenants on their rights surrounding repair issues. The clinics are held every Thursday at 6 p.m. The webinars are free, and are designed for issues regarding private rental properties in the City of Philadelphia. You can register for the next available clinic online.
West Philly Tool Library
If you want to do home repairs on your own, this West Philly institution may be able to help. The organization, which aims to make home maintenance possible for people of all income and skill levels, offers everything from wrenches and saws, to drills and ladders.
The process to join is quick, and involves a sliding scale for payment. After self-reporting your income, you pay an annual membership of as low as $20 for unlimited tool rental. To start borrowing, you need to come to the library in person with a photo ID, a second ID with your current address, and the names, phone numbers and addresses of two references.
You can visit them at 1223 S Harmony St.
