A Veteran's Guide to VA Housing Grants for Disabilities

If you are a veteran or service member with a permanent and total service-connected disability, finding a home that meets your needs is essential. This guide breaks down the key housing grants offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help you buy, build, or modify a home for independent living.

Understanding the Primary VA Adaptive Housing Grants

The VA offers several grants designed to help disabled veterans live more comfortably and safely in their homes. These are not loans; you do not have to repay them. The two main grants are the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant. They serve different purposes and have distinct eligibility requirements.

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

The SAH grant is designed for veterans with the most severe disabilities. It helps them build a new, specially adapted home or remodel an existing home to make it fully accessible. The goal is to provide a barrier-free living environment.

What can you use the SAH grant for?

  • Constructing a specially adapted home on land you already own or plan to buy.
  • Remodeling an existing home to make it suitable for your needs.
  • Applying the grant against the unpaid principal mortgage balance of an adapted home you already purchased without VA grant assistance.

Who is eligible for the SAH grant? You must own or will own the home and have a qualifying service-connected disability, such as:

  • The loss or loss of use of both legs, preventing you from moving without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
  • Blindness in both eyes (with only light perception) 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 that affects balance and requires the use of braces, crutches, or a wheelchair.
  • The loss or loss of use of both arms at or above the elbows.
  • A severe burn injury.
  • The loss, or loss of use of, one or more lower extremities that occurred after September 11, 2001, which so affects your balance or propulsion that you need braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair to get around.

For the 2024 fiscal year, the maximum SAH grant amount is $117,014.

Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant

The SHA grant is for veterans with specific disabilities who need to adapt a home. This grant helps with modifying an existing home or a new home you plan to purchase to accommodate your needs.

What can you use the SHA grant for?

  • Adapting an existing home that you or a family member already own.
  • Adapting a home you intend to purchase.
  • Helping you purchase a home that has already been adapted.

Who is eligible for the SHA grant? You or a family member must own or will own the home, and you must have a qualifying service-connected disability, such as:

  • The loss or loss of use of both hands.
  • Certain severe burn injuries.
  • Certain respiratory or breathing injuries.

For the 2024 fiscal year, the maximum SHA grant amount is $23,444.

Other Important VA Housing Assistance Programs

Beyond the two main grants, the VA offers other forms of assistance that can be crucial for adapting a home.

Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant

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

  • If you qualify for SAH: The maximum TRA grant amount for 2024 is $47,130.
  • If you qualify for SHA: The maximum TRA grant amount for 2024 is $8,415.

This grant ensures you can live safely and independently even when you are not in your permanent residence.

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant

The HISA grant is another valuable resource for making medically necessary improvements to your home. This grant is not limited to those eligible for SAH or SHA and covers a broader range of veterans.

What can a HISA grant be used for? HISA grants pay for improvements and modifications that are essential for your medical treatment and personal care. Common examples include:

  • Installing access ramps.
  • Widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs.
  • Installing grab bars in bathrooms.
  • Lowering kitchen or bathroom counters.
  • Upgrading electrical systems to support medical equipment.

HISA Grant Amounts:

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

How to Apply for VA Housing Grants

The application process is designed to be straightforward, but it requires careful attention to detail.

  1. Confirm Your Eligibility: The first step is to ensure you meet the specific disability and ownership requirements for the grant you are interested in. Your VA disability rating letter is the primary document for this.
  2. Get the Right Form: You will need to complete VA Form 26-4555, the Veteran’s Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant. You can download this form from the official VA website.
  3. Submit Your Application: You can submit your completed application online, by mail to your regional loan center, or in person at a VA regional office.
  4. Work with a Specialist: Once your eligibility is confirmed, a VA Specially Adapted Housing agent will be assigned to your case. They will work with you, your builder, and your doctor to ensure the home modifications meet your specific medical needs.

It is highly recommended to contact a VA loan specialist at your nearest regional office before you begin. They can guide you through the process and answer any questions you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use these grants more than once? Yes. Eligible veterans and service members can use the benefit up to six times, as long as the total amount does not exceed the maximum grant allowance.

Do these grants affect my other VA benefits, like disability compensation? No. Receiving a housing grant will not impact your monthly disability compensation or any other VA benefits you are entitled to.

Can I use a VA-guaranteed home loan with a housing grant? Absolutely. Many veterans use their VA home loan benefit to purchase a house and then use an SAH or SHA grant to cover the costs of adapting it. The grant funds can significantly reduce the amount you need to borrow.

What is the main difference between the SAH and SHA grants? The primary difference lies in the severity and type of disability required for eligibility. The SAH grant is for veterans with disabilities that typically require a wheelchair-accessible home, while the SHA grant is for veterans with disabilities like the loss of use of both hands or severe respiratory issues, which require other specific types of adaptations.