What is this program?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers grants to Servicemembers and Veterans with certain total and permanent service-connected disabilities to help purchase or build an adapted home, or modify an existing home. existing that accommodates a disability. There are two grant programs: Specially Adapted Housing Grants (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptations Grants (SHA). Under either of these grants, a Temporary Resident Adjustment Grant (TRA) may be available to Veterans who are residing or temporarily residing in a relative's home.
See Less
Who is eligible for this program?
The Specially Adapted Housing Grant is available to Veterans or service members who have a disability resulting from or related to military service, which entitles them to compensation for total and permanent disability, due to:
- Having lost both lower limbs or the use of them, in such a way that they prevent locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, cane or wheelchair;
- O well
- Having blindness in both eyes, with only light perception, as well as losing a lower limb or the use of one;
- O well
- Loss of or use of a lower extremity, together with:
- (1) Residual or organic disease, or
- (2) Loss of or use of an upper extremity.
Items (1) and (2) listed above must also affect balance or propulsion functions in such a way as to prevent locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair; O well
- The loss, or loss of use of both upper extremities in such a way as to prevent the use of the arms at or above the elbows;
- O well
- Serious burn injuries;
- OR
- Loss or loss of use of one or more lower extremities as a result of service on or after September 11, 2001. This must affect your balance or movement, and must make it difficult to walk without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. This type of disability is limited to 30 participants per fiscal year.
Grants for Special Accommodations to a Home : are available to Veterans or service members who have a disability resulting from or related to military service, which entitles them to compensation for total and permanent disability, due to:
- Have blindness in both eyes with a visual graduation of 20/200 or less;
O well
- Having lost both hands or the use of them;
O well
- Certain severe respiratory diseases.
The current or most recent VA eligibility decision issued by the Veterans Service Center jurisdiction establishes the Veteran's or servicemember's basic eligibility for the Specially Adapted Housing Grant. The VA's eligibility decision is subject to review.
Most Veterans who receive a Specially Adapted Housing Grant are also eligible for Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance which covers the unpaid principal, not to exceed $200,000, of the mortgage loan. You can refer to the "Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance" (VMLI) page for more information about program requirements.
Generally, to receive VA benefits and services the character of the Servicemember's or Veteran's leave must be under non-dishonorable conditions (eg, honorable, under honorable conditions, general). Reserve and National Guard Members must have an honorable discharge. However, in some cases, Veterans or service members receiving undesirable, misconduct, or other dishonorable leave may be eligible for VA benefits depending on a VA decision.
