Home improvement loans through the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) are available with no loan fee, however other costs associated include escrow closing, title fees, and appraisal if required. ODVA must be the first lien holder on all existing loans and the proposed property must be the owner-occupied primary residence.
Terms, conditions, and eligible improvements relating to the Home Improvement Loan are contained in Oregon Revised Statutes, chapters
406 and
407.
The veteran must first complete the improvement, retain all records and then seek reimbursement through the loan program. The maximum cumulative loan-to-value ratio is 80% of the determined property value.
Special Programs for Service-Connected Disabled Veterans from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans' Affairs (USDVA). The USDVA offers certain disabled veterans Home Improvement and Special Adaptive Housing Grants. Home improvement benefits up to $4,100 may be provided to service-connected veterans. Home improvement benefits up to $1,200 may be provided to nonservice-connected veterans.
Veterans with service-connected disabilities or veterans with nonservice-connected disabilities may receive assistance for home improvements. These improvements must be necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities.
Specially Adapted Housing Grant
Veterans who have specific service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant for the purpose of constructing an adapted home or modifying an existing home to meet their adaptive needs. The goal of the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program is to provide a barrier-free living environment which affords the veteran a level of independent living that he or she may not have otherwise enjoyed.
The SAH grant is generally used to create a wheelchair accessible home. This grant is currently limited to $50,000. Veterans with service-connected disability due to military service, entitling them to compensation for permanent and total 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, or Blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus loss or loss of use of one lower extremity, or 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, which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair or, The loss or loss of use of both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms at or above the elbow.
Special Home Adaptation Grant
Veterans who have specific service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant for the purpose of modifying an existing home to meet their adaptive needs. The Special Home Adaptations (SHA) grant is generally used to assist veterans with mobility throughout their homes. This grant is currently limited to $10,000.
The SHA grant is available to veterans who have service-connected disability due to military service, entitling them to compensation for permanent and total 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 or extremities below the elbow.
How Can You Apply?
You can apply for the SAH and SHA grants by completing VA Form 26-4555, Veterans Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant, and submitting it to your local VA regional office.
You can apply for a HISA grant by completed VA Form 10-0103, Veterans Application for Assistance in Acquiring Home Improvement and Structural Alterations, and submitting it to your local VA medical center.
