Aside from the well-known VA home loan program available to veterans, the VA also offers other home-related benefits to service men and women. One of these is the Specialty Adapted Housing Program, which was designed to provide grants to qualified service members with specific service-connected disabilities, for the purpose of constructing an adapted home or modifying an existing home to meet their adaptive needs. According to the VA, “the goal of the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program is to provide a barrier-free living environment that affords the veterans or service members a level of independent living he or she may not normally enjoy.”
Below are the two types of adaptive housing grants available to assist severely disabled veterans or service members, and some general information about them. The terms of eligibility and grant use differ slightly for each grant. For detailed information check out these links to publications by the VA or contact your local VA Regional Loan Center:
http://www.homeloans.va.gov/docs/part1_va_pamphlet_26_jrd_edits_doc_rev_11052009.pdf
http://www.homeloans.va.gov/docs/part2_va_pamphlet_26_jrd_edits_doc_rev_11052009.pdf
Specially Adapted Housing Grant -
Which veterans or service members are basically eligible for the grant?
The Specially Adapted Housing Grant is available to veterans or service members who are entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to:
· The loss, or loss of use, of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
· Blindness in both eyes having only light perception, plus loss or loss of use of one lower extremity.
· The loss, or loss of use, of one lower extremity together with: (1) residuals of organic disease or injury, or (2) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity.
· The loss, or loss of use, of both upper extremities, so as to preclude use of the arms at or above the elbows.
· The permanent and total disability is due to a severe burn injury (as so determined).
How much specially adapted housing assistance can a veteran or service member receive?
· An eligible veteran or service member may receive a VA grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of a specially adapted house, up to the aggregate maximum amount allowable by law. The current maximum grant amount allowable at the time of this publication is $63,780. This amount will be adjusted annually based on a cost-of-construction index. The first adjustment occurred October 1, 2009, and future adjustments will take place each October 1 thereafter. Any future adjustments will increase the grant amounts or leave them unchanged.
How may the grant be used?
An eligible veteran or service member has the option to use up to the full amount of the grant under any one of the following plans:
· Plan (1): The veteran or service member may elect to construct a home on land to be acquired for that purpose.
· Plan (2): The veteran or service member may build a home on land already owned if it is suitable for specially adapted housing.
· Plan (3): The veteran or service member may remodel an existing home if it can be made suitable for specially adapted housing.
· Plan (4): When the veteran or service member has already acquired a specially adapted home (without the assistance of a VA grant), the grant may be applied against the unpaid principal mortgage balance of the home.
Special Housing Adaptation Grant -
Which veterans or service members are basically eligible for the Special Housing Adaptations Grant?
Veterans or service members who are entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to:
· Blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or
· The anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.
· The permanent and total disability is due to a severe burn injury (as so determined).
How much special housing adaptation assistance can a veteran or service member receive?
An eligible veteran or service member may receive a VA grant for the actual cost to adapt a house or for the appraised market value of necessary adapted features already in a house when it was purchased, up to the maximum grant amount allowable by law. The current maximum grant amount allowable at the time of this publication is $12,756. This amount will be adjusted annually based on a cost-of-construction index. The first adjustment occurred October 1, 2009, and future adjustments will take place each October 1 thereafter. Any future adjustments will increase the grant amounts or leave them unchanged.
How may the grant be used?
An eligible veteran or service member has the option to use up to the full amount of the grant under any one of the following plans:
· Plan (1). The veteran or service member may elect to construct a home on land to be acquired for that purpose.
· Plan (2). The veteran or service member may build a home on land already owned if it is suitable for specially adapted housing.
· Plan (3). The veteran or service member may remodel an existing home if it can be made suitable for specially adapted housing.
· Plan (4). When the veteran or service member has already acquired a specially adapted home (without the assistance of a VA grant), the grant may be applied against the unpaid principal mortgage balance of the home.
*Note that if a veteran or service member qualifies for both benefits, the law limits him/her to the use of the larger grant.
If you feel you may be eligible for one of these grants, contact the Specially Adapted Housing Agent at your local VA Regional Loan Center for more information.
If you are in need of help with your home loan, need a VA streamline, or a VA loan in any state including a Texas VA Loan we can help.
