Home repair assistance for Orange County homeowners and seniors
Updated . By the OakTend team.
Who can get free or low-cost home repair help in Orange County?
Mostly homeowners with lower incomes who live in the home. Most city programs use the county's median income, the middle income for Orange County households, which programs call area median income. They usually take people earning up to 80 percent of it, which in 2026 means up to $104,200 for one person or $148,850 for a family of four. Few programs have an age rule, so seniors usually qualify the same way as everyone else.
City repair programs
Age: any, except Tustin (62 and up, disabled or veterans) and Laguna Beach (older homeowners).
Income: usually 80 percent of median or less.
Where: you own and live in the home, in that city.
SCE and SoCalGas Energy Savings Assistance
Age: any.
Income: $39,900 for one person, $82,500 for four, or someone in the home gets CalFresh, Medi-Cal or similar benefits.
Where: homeowners and renters with that utility.
CAP OC emergency repairs
Age: any.
Income: income limits apply.
Where: Orange County households.
Checked October 2026 on the 2026 Orange County 80 percent income limits on Brea's program page.
Which Orange County cities run home repair programs?
These thirteen had a current program page in October 2026. A deferred loan has no monthly payment, but you repay it, usually when you sell. A grant is not repaid. Where no status is shown, the city's page did not say whether it is open, so call first.
Interest-free loan up to $15,000 that is forgiven a fifth at a time in years six to ten, so nothing is owed after ten years, or a deferred loan up to $100,000 at 3 percent. Mobile home owners can get a grant up to $15,000.
Status: Taking names for its interest list; funding is limited.
Apply: Interest list form on the program page, 714-765-4300 ext. 4822.
Checked October 2026 on the Anaheim program page.
Interest-free deferred loan up to $35,000. Mobile home owners at or below 50 percent of median income can get a grant up to $7,000.
Status: Funds depend on availability.
Apply: Application packet on the program page, 714-990-7600.
Checked October 2026 on the Brea program page.
Deferred loan up to $60,000 at 1 percent, repaid when you sell or within 30 years.
Apply: Pre-application on the program page, 714-562-3586.
Checked October 2026 on the Buena Park program page.
Grants and loans for code violations, lead paint and other hazards in single-family homes.
Who: Very low income households.
Apply: Call with your address and phone number, 714-754-4870.
Checked October 2026 on the Costa Mesa program page.
Grant up to $20,000, a rebate of half the cost up to $7,500, or a deferred loan up to $50,000 at 3 percent. Mobile homes: grant up to $15,000, or $20,000 with a new roof.
Apply: Application form on the program page, 714-593-4400.
Checked October 2026 on the Fountain Valley program page.
Grant up to $5,000 for repairs such as windows, plumbing, electrical, heating and accessibility. You put in at least $500.
Status: Next round opens November 30, 2026. Ten applicants are picked by raffle each round.
Apply: Online portal on the program page, 714-741-5131.
Checked October 2026 on the Garden Grove program page.
Grant for repairs of $15,000 or less, or a deferred loan up to $75,000 at 3 percent ($25,000 for mobile homes).
Apply: Call GRC Associates, the city's program consultant, 562-553-0991.
Checked October 2026 on the Huntington Beach program page.
Emergency grant for urgent repairs of $5,000 or less, or an interest-free deferred loan up to $50,000.
Status: Wait list only.
Apply: Join the wait list from the program page, 949-724-6114.
Checked October 2026 on the Irvine program page.
Grants and loans for code repairs and upgrades such as a water heater, re-roofing or termite fumigation.
Status: Not taking new applications.
Apply: Call to join the wait list, 562-383-4108.
Checked October 2026 on the La Habra program page.
LBS HOME: the city pays up to $5,000 per project and Habitat for Humanity OC does the repairs.
Who: Older homeowners on limited incomes. Laguna Beach Seniors handles intake.
Status: Habitat OC, which does the repairs, has closed its own repair program, so call Laguna Beach Seniors to confirm LBS HOME is still running.
Apply: Call Laguna Beach Seniors (Susi Q), or use the link on the city's housing page, 949-715-8107.
Checked October 2026 on the Laguna Beach program page.
Interest-free deferred loan up to $40,000, or $25,000 for a mobile home, with no monthly payments.
Apply: Paper application, turned in at City Hall, 949-461-3473.
Checked October 2026 on the Lake Forest program page.
Interest-free deferred loan up to $40,000. Grants are only for emergency health and safety repairs. A separate grant up to $12,500 pays for exterior painting. There is also a limit on savings and other assets.
Status: The paint grant flyer (August 2026) says the program is now being offered. Call to confirm the loan is open.
Apply: Call the Housing Rehabilitation Office for a preliminary application, 949-470-3026.
Checked October 2026 on the Mission Viejo program page.
Grant up to $15,000 for plumbing, heating, electrical, windows, roofing, paint and accessibility.
Who: Low and moderate income homeowners who are 62 or older, disabled, or veterans.
Status: Applications are listed as coming soon.
Apply: Watch the program page or call, 714-537-3133.
Checked October 2026 on the Tustin program page.
Your city is not listed? Call its housing or community development office and ask about a home repair or rehabilitation program. Every city has a page on our Orange County hub.
What county and nonprofit help is there?
Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC)
Its Emergency Crisis Intervention Program repairs or replaces a broken furnace, air conditioner or water heater in an emergency, for households that meet its income and home rules and cannot pay for the fix. Email energy@capoc.org to check eligibility, or call 714-839-6199 (listed on Anaheim's program page).
Checked October 2026 on the CAP OC services page.
Checked October 2026 on the Anaheim program page, which lists CAP OC's phone.
OC Office on Aging
Not a repair program, but its information line helps older adults find what is open near them: 800-510-2020, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Checked October 2026 on the Office on Aging FAQ page.
Closed right now: Habitat for Humanity of Orange County's home repair program and Santa Ana's rehabilitation grants, according to their own pages.
Checked October 2026 on the Habitat for Humanity OC home repair page.
Can SCE or SoCalGas pay for a new furnace or water heater?
Sometimes, through the Energy Savings Assistance program, at no cost to households that meet the limits in the first section (set for June 2026 through May 2027).
SoCalGas
Lists a high-efficiency furnace for owner-occupied homes, and may repair or replace a homeowner's gas appliances that are broken or unsafe. Call 800-331-7593 or use the form on its page.
Checked October 2026 on the SoCalGas Energy Savings Assistance page.
SCE
Lists a heat pump water heater, a refrigerator, a smart thermostat and central air or heat pump replacement, first come, first served while funding lasts. Apply through your SCE account.
Checked October 2026 on the SCE Energy Savings Assistance page.
Over the income limit? Regular rebates are open to everyone; see our Orange County home rebates guide.
How do I avoid home repair program scams?
Start the call yourself. Newport Beach has warned that someone posed as its senior repair program and offered to visit homes to see if they qualified; the city says it does not cold call. Use the phone numbers and links on this page, which come from each program's own site.
Checked October 2026 on the Newport Beach fraud protection page.
What to do while you wait
Wait lists and raffles can take months. Small upkeep in the meantime keeps a small problem from growing: our Orange County maintenance checklist lists what to check each month, and how long home systems last helps you see what is due next.
This page is not financial advice.
Sources
- City of Irvine: Residential Rehabilitation Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: emergency grants for code-related repairs of $5,000 or less; 0% deferred loans up to $50,000; owner-occupied homes in Irvine under 80 percent of area median income; 2026 Orange County low income limits $104,200 for one person and $148,850 for four; wait list only; 949-724-6114. - City of Anaheim: Residential Rehabilitation Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: mobile home grants up to $15,000; Minor Loans up to $15,000 with no interest, 20 percent forgiven each year from the sixth anniversary; Major Loans up to $100,000 at 3 percent deferred 30 years; 80 percent of area median income; interest list form; 714-765-4300 ext. 4822; subject to funding. Its list of other home repair programs gives 714-839-6199 for CAP OC's Emergency Crisis Intervention Program. - City of Brea: Housing Rehabilitation Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: single-family deferred loan up to $35,000 at 0 percent, 30-year term, at or below 80 percent of county median income; mobile home grant up to $7,000 at or below 50 percent; funds based on availability; 2026 Orange County 80 percent (low income) limits effective May 1, 2026: $104,200 for one person and $148,850 for four; city phone 714-990-7600. - City of Buena Park: Home Improvement Loan Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: deferred loan of $60,000 at 1 percent for up to 30 years or until sale or transfer; 80 percent of county median income or below; pre-application on the page; Economic Development 714-562-3586. - City of Costa Mesa: Residential Rehabilitation Programs
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: grants and programs for very low income single-family homeowners for improvements needed because of code and building violations, lead-based paint and other hazards; call Housing and Community Development at 714-754-4870 with your address and phone number. - City of Fountain Valley: Home Improvement Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: single-family grant up to $20,000; rebate of 50 percent of cost up to $7,500; deferred loan up to $50,000 at 3 percent simple interest; mobile home grant up to $15,000 or $20,000 with a roof; owner-occupied, below 80 percent of area median income; city hall 714-593-4400. - City of Garden Grove: Home Repair Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: grant up to $5,000; homeowner contributes at least $500; owner-occupied in Garden Grove at or below 80 percent of area median income; 20 applicants picked by blind raffle, 10 in June and 10 in December; second round portal opens November 30, 2026; Dana Yang 714-741-5131. - City of Huntington Beach: Residential Rehabilitation Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: grants for repair costs of $15,000 or less; deferred loans up to $75,000 (single-family, townhouse, condo) or $25,000 (mobile home) at 3 percent simple interest; income limits effective May 1, 2026; apply through GRC Associates at 562-553-0991. - City of La Habra: Home Improvement Grant and Loan Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: not accepting new applications; wait list by phone at 562-383-4108; covers code deficiencies and improvements such as water heater replacement, re-roofing and termite fumigation for low and moderate income owner-occupants. - City of Laguna Beach: Housing Resources (LBS HOME)
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: LBS HOME, a partnership of the city and Habitat for Humanity OC; the city funds up to $5,000 per project and Habitat OC makes the repairs; Laguna Beach Seniors runs intake; for older homeowners on limited incomes; the page says learn more and apply today. - Laguna Beach Seniors (Susi Q): Home Repair Program
Checked 2026-10-13: a Home Repair Program for Laguna Beach residents on a limited income, with the City of Laguna Beach as partner; contact Rickie Redman, Director of Aging in Place, at 949-715-8107. The page does not say whether it is open. - City of Lake Forest: Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: 0 percent deferred loan with no monthly payments; up to $40,000 for homeowners and $25,000 for mobile homeowners; applications submitted at City Hall; Theresa Dobbs 949-461-3473. - City of Mission Viejo: Apply for City's Housing Rehabilitation and Paint Programs
Checked 2026-10-13: city news item dated October 8, 2025; zero-percent financing up to $40,000 for home repairs for low and moderate income owner/occupants; a Paint Program grant for exterior painting up to $12,500; contact tdobbs@cityofmissionviejo.org for a preliminary application. The page does not say whether it is open. - City of Mission Viejo: Housing Rehab Program flyer (October 2025)
Checked 2026-10-13: deferred payment loans at 0 percent, not to exceed $40,000; grants only for emergency repairs (required by health and safety and/or welfare of the occupant); owner-occupied Mission Viejo residents within HUD income limits; asset limits of $150,000 per adult and $500,000 in retirement funds per household; Housing Rehabilitation Office 949-470-3026. - City of Mission Viejo: Paint Program flyer (August 2026)
Checked 2026-10-13: file created August 17, 2026; says the Paint Program is now being offered and funds are available for up to a maximum of $12,500 for exterior painting for owner-occupied Mission Viejo residents; 2026 income limits $104,200 for one person and $148,850 for four; asset limits apply; Housing Rehabilitation Office 949-470-3026. - City of Tustin: Home Repair Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: grants up to $15,000 for low and moderate income Tustin homeowners who are 62 or older, disabled or veterans; plumbing, heating, electrical, windows, roofing, paint, accessibility; Apply Now says coming soon; 714-537-3133. - Community Action Partnership of Orange County: addressing immediate needs
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: the Emergency Crisis Intervention Program repairs or replaces heating and cooling systems and water heating appliances in emergency cases for clients who meet income and dwelling eligibility; email energy@capoc.org. - OC Office on Aging: frequently asked questions
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: Information and Assistance Line 800-510-2020, Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, for Orange County older adults. No home repair program listed. - Habitat for Humanity of Orange County: home repair
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: the Home Preservation Program is closed and no longer accepting new inquiries or applications; directs people to their city's program. - City of Santa Ana: housing rehabilitation programs
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: the Residential Rehabilitation program is no longer accepting applications. - SoCalGas: Energy Savings Assistance Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: no-cost improvements by an authorized contractor; high-efficiency furnace replacement for owner-occupied homes; repair or replacement for eligible homeowners when gas units are inoperable or hazardous; income limits June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027: $39,900 for one, $82,500 for four; or public assistance such as Medi-Cal or CalFresh; 1-800-331-7593. - Southern California Edison: Energy Savings Assistance Program
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: SCE covers the cost including installation for qualifying homeowners and renters: lighting, refrigerator, smart thermostat, heat pump water heater, central AC or heat pump replacement; same income limits as SoCalGas or public assistance; first come, first served until funding is spent; apply through My Account. - City of Newport Beach: fraud protection
Checked 2026-10-12 and 2026-10-13: an imposter posed as a representative of the city's Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program and offered to visit homes to see if they qualified; the city does not cold call residents offering home inspection services.