A Guide to Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans

If you are a disabled veteran, adapting your living space to meet your needs is essential for maintaining independence and quality of life. Fortunately, several federal programs are designed specifically to help you. This guide breaks down the key housing grants available, explaining what they cover, who qualifies, and how to begin the application process.

Understanding VA Adaptive Housing Grants

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several crucial grants to help veterans with certain service-connected disabilities buy, build, or modify a home. These grants are not loans and do not need to be repaid. They are designed to create a barrier-free living environment, allowing veterans to live more comfortably and independently. The primary programs are the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant.

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

The SAH grant is the most comprehensive housing grant offered by the VA. It is intended for veterans with the most severe disabilities and provides a significant amount of funding to create a fully accessible home.

What It’s For: The primary purpose of the SAH grant is to help eligible veterans build a new, specially adapted home or remodel an existing home to make it completely wheelchair accessible. This can include major structural changes.

Common uses for the SAH grant include:

  • Constructing a new, specially adapted home on land you already own.
  • Building a home on land you intend to buy.
  • Remodeling an existing home to make it suitable for your needs.
  • Applying the grant against the unpaid principal mortgage balance of a home you’ve already adapted with your own funds.

Who Qualifies? You must own or will own the home and have a qualifying service-connected disability. These disabilities often include:

  • The loss or loss of use of both legs, requiring the use of a wheelchair, braces, or crutches.
  • Blindness in both eyes, plus the loss or loss of use of one leg.
  • The loss or loss of use of one leg together with residuals of organic disease or injury affecting balance.
  • Severe burns that cause mobility issues.
  • The loss or loss of use of both arms at or above the elbows.

Current Grant Amount: For the 2024 fiscal year, the maximum SAH grant amount is $117,014. This is a lifetime benefit, and you can use the funds all at once or in up to six installments.

Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant

The SHA grant is designed for veterans with specific disabilities that may not require full wheelchair accessibility but still necessitate significant home modifications for daily living.

What It’s For: The SHA grant helps veterans adapt an existing home they own or intend to buy. It can also be applied to a home a family member owns where the veteran will live long-term. The focus is on adaptations that assist with mobility and self-care.

Examples of SHA-funded adaptations include:

  • Modifying bathrooms to be accessible.
  • Adapting a kitchen with lower counters or specialized appliances.
  • Installing handrails or grab bars.
  • Modifying electrical systems for medical equipment.

Who Qualifies? To be eligible for the SHA grant, you must have a qualifying service-connected disability, such as:

  • Blindness in both eyes with a visual acuity of 20⁄200 or less in the better eye with the use of a standard correcting lens.
  • The loss or loss of use of both hands.
  • Certain severe respiratory injuries.
  • Certain severe burn injuries.

Current Grant Amount: For the 2024 fiscal year, the maximum SHA grant amount is $23,444. Like the SAH grant, this is a lifetime benefit that can be used in up to six installments.

Other Important VA Housing Assistance Programs

Beyond the two main grants, the VA provides other forms of assistance that can be used independently or in conjunction with SAH or SHA grants.

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant

The HISA grant is a smaller but highly valuable grant that can cover a wide range of medically necessary improvements. It is not limited to veterans with the most severe disabilities and can be accessed by a broader group.

What It’s For: HISA grants pay for improvements and modifications that are essential for treatment or to provide access to the home or to key bathroom facilities.

Examples of HISA projects:

  • Installing exterior ramps.
  • Widening doorways to accommodate a walker or wheelchair.
  • Installing a roll-in shower.
  • Upgrading electrical or plumbing systems to support medical equipment.

Who Qualifies and Grant Amounts:

  • Veterans with a service-connected disability are eligible for a lifetime benefit of up to $6,800.
  • Veterans with a non-service-connected condition (rated 50% or more service-connected) are eligible for a lifetime benefit of up to $2,000.

Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant

If a veteran is living temporarily in a family member’s home that needs modifications, the TRA grant can help. To be eligible, you must also qualify for either the SAH or SHA grant.

  • If you are SAH-eligible, you can receive up to $47,130 through the TRA grant.
  • If you are SHA-eligible, you can receive up to $8,415 through the TRA grant.

This amount is deducted from the total lifetime benefit of your primary SAH or SHA grant.

The Application Process: A Simple Overview

While the details can seem complex, the process for applying for these grants generally follows a few key steps.

  1. Confirm Your Eligibility: The first step is to ensure you have a qualifying service-connected disability rating from the VA. If you are unsure, contact the VA to review your status.
  2. Obtain the Correct Form: You will need to fill out VA Form 26-4555, the Veteran’s Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant.
  3. Submit Your Application: You can submit the completed form online, by mail to your regional loan center, or in person at a VA regional office.
  4. Work with a VA Agent: Once your eligibility is confirmed, a VA agent will be assigned to your case. They will help you understand the process, review contractor bids, and inspect the completed work to ensure it meets specifications.

It is always recommended to contact a VA loan specialist at your nearest regional office to get personalized guidance before you begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can these grants be used to purchase a manufactured home? Yes, in many cases, these grants can be used to purchase or adapt a manufactured home, as long as it will be your primary residence and meets VA and local building requirements.

Do these grants count as taxable income? No, VA housing grants are not considered taxable income by the federal government.

Can I use a grant more than once? Yes, the SAH and SHA grants are lifetime benefits that can be accessed up to six times until the maximum amount is reached. This allows you to make adaptations as your needs change over time.

Can I hire my own contractor? Yes, you are responsible for finding and hiring a contractor. However, the VA must approve the contractor’s plans and bids before any work begins to ensure they are qualified and the costs are reasonable.