United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Adapted Housing Grants

 

Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans

VA provides grants to Servicemembers and Veterans with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities to help purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. Two grant programs exist: the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant.

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

SAH grants help Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities live independently in a barrier-free environment. SAH grants can be used in one of the following ways:

  • Construct a specially adapted home on land to be acquired
  • Build a home on land already owned if it is suitable for specially adapted housing
  • Remodel an existing home if it can be made suitable for specially adapted housing
  • Apply the grant against the unpaid principal mortgage balance of an adapted home already acquired without the assistance of a VA grant

Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant

SHA grants help Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities adapt or purchase a home to accommodate the disability. You can use SHA grants in one of the following ways:

  • Adapt an existing home the Veteran or a family member already owns in which the Veteran lives
  • Adapt a home the Veteran or family member intends to purchase in which the Veteran will live
  • Help a Veteran purchase a home already adapted in which the Veteran will live

Eligibility

If you are a Servicemember or Veteran with a permanent and total service-connected disability, you may be entitled to a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant or a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant. The table below provides an overview of VA's housing grant programs for Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities.

Benefits & Eligibility Requirements Eligibility Living Situation Ownership Number of Grants You Can Use
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
  • Loss of or loss of use of both legs, OR
  • Loss of or loss of use of both arms, OR
  • Blindness in both eyes having only light perception, plus loss of or loss of use of one leg, OR
  • The loss of or loss of use of one lower leg together with residuals of organic disease or injury, OR
  • The loss of or loss of use of one leg together with the loss of or loss of use of one arm, OR
  • Certain severe burns, OR
  • Certain severe respiratory injuries, OR
  • The loss, or loss of use of one or more lower extremeties due to service on or after September 11, 2001, which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude ambulating without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair
 Permanent Home is owned by an eligible individual Maximum of 3 grants, up to the maximum dollar amount allowable
Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant
  • Blindness in both eyes with 20/200 visual acuity or less, OR
  • Loss of or loss of use of both hands, OR
  • Certain severe burn injuries, OR
  • Certain severe respiratory injuries
 Permanent Home is owned by an eligible individual or family member Maximum of 3 grants, up to the maximum dollar amount allowable

Benefit

The SAH and SHA benefit amount is set by law, but may be adjusted upward annually based on a cost-of-construction index. The maximum dollar amount allowable for SAH grants in fiscal year 2013 is $64,960. The maximum dollar amount allowable for SHA grant in fiscal year 2013 is $12,992. No individual may use the grant benefit more than three times up to the maximum dollar amount allowable.

How to Apply

To apply for a grant, fill out and submit VA Form 26-4555.the Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant. You can access this form by:

Need more information or have questions? Contact a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) staff member via email at sahinfo.vbaco@va.gov or by phone at (877) 827-3702.  

FAQs