Sanford home repair grants of up to $30,000 open Monday, close Oct. 16

Sanford City Hall at 300 N. Park Avenue, where residents can submit pre-applications in person; dated file photo taken Oct. 26, 2025. Photo: Connor Williams / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0). Resized; website wordmark added. Photo source · License

Sanford homeowners who have been putting off a failing roof or a dead air conditioner get a narrow chance starting Monday morning: the city's Community Development Block Grant Housing & Rehabilitation Program begins accepting pre-applications at 8 a.m. Oct. 5, according to the city's CDBG page. WFTV reports the window closes at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.

The program awards grants — not loans — to low-income Sanford homeowners who otherwise could not make repairs that correct safety concerns and improve a home's livability, the city says. Assistance is capped at $30,000 and limited to two trade categories per household.

2026 income ceilings for the Sanford repair grant (80% AMI)

Household size	Maximum household income
1 person	$64,350
2 people	$73,550
3 people	$82,750
4 people	$91,900
5 people	$99,300
6 people	$106,650

Source: sanfordfl.gov

What the money can fix

Eligible work listed by the city includes roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, window and exterior door replacement, water heater and septic tank replacement, and correcting trip hazards from uneven flooring. The city also lists ADA security such as fences or tree trimming, and repairs that improve accessibility for household members.

Who qualifies

Applicants must have lived in the home as their primary residence for at least two years, hold homestead status, and carry homeowner's insurance or provide a cancellation letter. Total household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income under HUD's 2026 limits.

How to apply

Pre-applications can be submitted online or in person at Sanford City Hall, 300 N. Park Avenue, WFTV reports. City Hall is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the city's main line is 407.688.5000.

The repair grants are funded through Sanford's annual HUD entitlement. The city anticipates roughly $433,358 in CDBG money for Program Year 2026, with affordable housing among the stated funding priorities.