Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans

The VA has four grant programs that allow Veterans with certain permanent service-connected disabilities to build or modify housing to meet their needs: Specially Adapted Housing (SAH), Special Housing Adaptation (SHA), Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) and Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants.

Let’s take a look at how these grants differ.

1. Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

The first type of grant is for Specially Adapted Housing (SAH). The SAH grant is provided to disabled Veterans to help ensure their home is sustainable for independent living. Qualified Veterans can be awarded up to $121,812 for expenses, including:

1. Constructing a specially adapted home
2. Modifying an existing home to meet adaptive needs
3. Applying the grant against the unpaid mortgage principal balance of an already adapted home

SAH Grant Eligibility

Veterans eligible for the Specially Adapted Housing grant must own or intend to own the home in the future and receive compensation for permanent and total disability under one of the following conditions:

• The loss, or loss of use, of more than one limb
• The loss, or loss of use, of a lower leg with lasting effects of an organic disease or injury
• Blindness in both eyes (with 20/200 visual acuity or less)
• Certain severe burn injuries
• The loss, or loss of use, of a lower extremity while serving on or after Sept. 11, 2001, that prevents movement without assistance from crutches, canes, braces or a wheelchair

2. Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant

The second type of grant is for a Special Home Adaptation (SHA). The SHA grant awards up to $24,405 for Veterans who have suffered service-related injuries and require some assistance, which may include the following expenses:

1. Adapting a home that the Veteran or a family member will acquire
2. Adapting a home already owned by the Veteran or a family member
3. Purchasing or reducing the unpaid balance of an already adapted home with features that the VA determined as reasonably necessary

SHA Grant Eligibility

Veterans eligible for the Special Housing Adaptation Grant must own or intend to own the home in the future and meet one of the following requirements:

• The loss, or loss of use, of both hands
• Certain severe burn injuries
• Certain respiratory ailments

3. Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant

The third type of grant is for Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA). The TRA grant may be available to SAH/SHA eligible Veterans and service members who are or will temporarily reside in a home owned by a family member.

1. The TRA grant will not be deducted from the total grant funds available to a Veteran or service member.
2. The TRA grant will be deducted from one of the three usages available to the Veteran or service member.
3. The maximum TRA grant is $49,062 if the Veteran qualifies for an SAH grant and $8,760 if the Veteran qualifies for an SHA grant.

4. Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant

The fourth and final grant is available for disabled Veterans and service members who want to install medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to their primary residence for situations such as:

1. Improving entrance to and exit from the primary residence
2. Use of essential bathroom and sanitary facilities
3. Allowing accessibility to kitchen and bathroom sinks or counters
4. Updating driveways or walkways near the home to allow easier entry, such as adding ramps or changing pavement
5. Upgrading plumbing or electrical systems to support medical equipment used at home

Since the HISA grant is exclusively for disabled Veterans who want to make renovations that accommodate their conditions in their current homes, the grant cannot be used for a lot of changes. These restrictions include, but are not limited to:

• Jacuzzis/hot tubs
• Exterior decking
• New construction
• Walkways to exterior buildings (i.e., sheds, garages)

HISA Benefit Amounts and Eligibility

Similar to the other grant opportunities offered by the VA, the funds allocated for these grants differ depending on the individual applicants’ conditions. The VA will approve up to $6,800 for Veterans homeowners who:

• Have a service-connected disability
• Have a disability that’s not officially service-connected but is treated “as if” it is, making the Veteran eligible for care under 38 USC 1710(a)(2)(c)
• Have a non-service-connected disability and a service-connected disability that’s rated at least 50% (disability percentages can’t be combined to meet this requirement)

If a Veteran has a disability that does not apply to any of the criteria listed above, a Veteran can receive $2,000 for these renovations if approved by the VA for HISA.

What To Know Before You Apply

It is important to note that these grants are distributed through the VA and do not directly affect the VA loan process. They are awarded based on your VA disability rating, not your loan application.

The Veterans Service Center with jurisdiction over your case is responsible for approving SAH and SHA grants. They base their decision on your VA Rating Decision, which determines if you meet the criteria for one of these grants.

While your disability rating doesn't affect your eligibility for a VA loan, it can impact certain benefits at closing. In fact, about a third of VA borrowers are exempt from paying the VA Funding Fee due to service-related disabilities. Additionally, the income received for a service-connected disability can be considered in income calculations, which may lower the Veteran’s debt-to-income ratio.

If you apply for the HISA grant, the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) will likely contact you. You can also reach out directly to your local VA clinic or medical facility's PSAS team for guidance.

The VA provides several housing-related benefits, so make sure to explore all available options to find the one that best fits your needs.

How To Apply for VA Housing Grants

The easiest way to apply for SAH or SHA is to fill out VA Form 26-4555. The VA will review the application to determine your eligibility to receive a grant and give further instructions. If you prefer to talk to someone in person about the process, you can visit your nearest VA office.

For HISA applicants, the first step is to obtain a prescription from a licensed VA healthcare provider for the necessary modifications. Then, complete the VA Form 10-0103, otherwise known as the HISA application, and submit it along with the prescription to the PSAS at their local VA center.

If you’re ready to move forward with your VA loan, a Veterans United VA loan expert can assist you at 855-870-8845 or get started online today.