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    Housing

    2. Home
    3. Housing
    4. Other
    5. Adaptive Housing Grants

    Disability Housing Grants

    The Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) has Disability Housing Grants available to service members and veterans with service-connected disabilities. There are different types of disability housing grants that may help service members or veterans buy or change a home to meet their needs. 

    What are the types of Disability Housing Grants available?

    There are 3 types of Disability Housing Grants:

    • The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH),
    • The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA), and
    • The Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA).
    A house with a warning symbol at its peak.

    How do I know which Disability Housing Grant is the best for me?

    A person in a wheelchair.

    The main difference between a Specially Adapted Housing grant (SAH) and a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant is the type of disability the service member has sustained.

    Specially Adapted Housing grants apply to service members who have injuries that affect their ability to move and to navigate through their home (example: wheelchair ramps).

    Special Housing Adaption grants are for veterans who can move throughout the house but require help (example: caregiver) to perform the tasks of daily living.

    A Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant helps with changes to a temporary residence. These grants may apply if the service member rents their home or currently lives with a family member but plans to move out. Such veterans may be eligible for a TRA.

    Two hands passing a coin between them.

    Who is eligible for a Specially Adapted Housing Grant?

    Service members or veterans are eligible for a Specially Adapted Housing grant if they meet all the following:

    • Plan to buy, build, or change their home,
    • Own or plan to own the home, and
    • Have a qualifying service-related disability.

    What is considered a service-connected disability for a Specially Adapted Housing grant?

    Here are examples of what may qualify as a service-connected disability:
    • Loss or loss of use of more than one limb,
    • Loss or loss of use of a lower leg,
    • Blindness in both eyes (with 20/200 visual acuity or less),
    • Certain severe burns, or
    • The loss, or loss of use, of a foot or leg after September 11, 2001. This loss makes it so the service member cannot balance or walk without the help of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.

    When can a Specially Adapted Housing grant be used?

    A Specially Adapted Housing grant may be used to:

    1
    Build a specially adapted home on land that will be purchased,
    2
    Build a home on land that is already owned,
    3
    Remodel an existing home that is able to meet VA requirements, or
    4
    Purchase, or use the grant for the remaining balance on a loan, of a home already adapted.

    How much financial help does the Specially Adapted Housing grant give?

    For those who qualify, they will need to see what the current maximum amount allowed is for a Specialty Adated Housing grant. These amounts change year-to-year.

    What is considered a service-connected disability for a Special Home Adaptation grant?

    Here are examples that may qualify for a service-connected disability:

    • The loss or loss of use of both hands,
    • Certain severe burns, and
    • Certain respiratory or breathing injuries.
    A man holding out a document.

    When can a Special Home Adaption grant be used?

    A Special Housing Adaptation grant may be used to:
    1
    Adapt a home a service member will buy,
    2
    Adapt a home that a family member will buy,
    3
    Adapt a home that a service member already owned,
    4
    Adapt a home that is already owned by a family member, or
    5
    Purchase, or use the grant for the remaining balance on a loan, of a home already adapted with special features approved by the VA.

    How much financial help does a Special Home Adaptation Grant give?

    For those who qualify, they will need to see what the current maximum amount allowed is for a Special Home Adaptation grant which may change every year.

    Who is eligible for a Temporary Residence Adaptation grant?

    Two hands passing a letter.

    Service members or veterans who meet both these requirements are eligible for a TRA:

    • Qualify for a SAH or a SHA, and
    • Lives in the home of a family member that needs changes to meet the needs of the service member.

    A Temporary Residence Adaptation grant defines a family member as a person related to the service member by blood, marriage, or adoption.

    Service members who are renting, not living with a family member, are not eligible for TRA.

    How much financial help does a Temporary Residence Adaptation Grant give?

    Depending on whether the service member is eligible for an adaptive housing grant, the amount changes.

    The current maximum amounts allowed for a TRA grant.

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    If I am approved for a grant, do I have to use all the financial aid at once?

    A family, two parents, two children

    No. Service members or veterans eligible for a Specially Adapted Housing or Special Housing Adaptation grant may use the money from the grant up to 3 times (per grant) in their lifetime.

    Depending on the type of changes needed and the bid amount from the builder, service members may only use a portion of their grant money. Any grant money leftover may be used later.

    Depending on the project, the funds may be given to the veteran or the contractor directly.

    Grant amounts may change depending on the costs of construction materials. Service members may receive up to the maximum grant amount of the last year they used the grant.

    How do I apply for a type of Disability Housing Grant?

    Online:

    Applications may be done online using the eBenefits.gov website.

    By Mail:

    Print and fill out an application. 

    Mail the application to the closest regional loan center. 

    In-person:

    Fill out an application

    Bring the completed application to the nearest regional loan center.

    What if I need assistance with my application?

    Email a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(SAH) staff member

    Or call an SAH staff member at 877-827-3702.

    What happens after I apply?

    After the application is received, it will be processed, and a decision letter is sent to the service member.  

    The status of the application can be checked by signing into VA.gov.

    A hand holding a letter.

    What if my application is denied, can I do something about it?

    An X

    The VA has specific decision review or appeal steps for claims submitted by service members that have been denied. Service members may select the decision review or appeal that fits best for their claim.

    Check a VA claim or appeal status online.

    Where can I learn more about Disability Housing Grants?

    The VA Housing Grants page includes information and resources for the different types of Disability Housing Grants. For more in-depth information, review the Guide for Specially Adapted Housing and Special Housing Adaption Projects.

    Are any other housing grants available for service members with disabilities?

    A Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant helps with home improvements treatment or disability access. HISA is available for service members with or without service-connected disabilities.

    A discussion among 3 people.

    A Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) home adaptation grant may provide home adaptations to service members who currently are not able to work because of the effects of their service-connected disability, or who require adaptations to return to work.