Program Description
Certain veterans and servicemembers with serious service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a Specially Adapted Housing Grant to build an adapted home or modify an existing home to meet their needs. There are two types of grants administered by the Veterans Administration (VA).The Specially Adapted Housing Grant is available to severely disabled veterans or servicemembers who are entitled to a home especially adapted for their needs due to loss of mobility. Under this entitlement, a temporary grant (TRA) may be available to veterans who are or will be temporarily residing in a home owned by a family member.
The Special Housing Adaptations Grant is available to veterans or servicemembers who are entitled to home adaptations due to blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or includes the anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands. Under this entitlement, a temporary grant (TRA) may be available to veterans who are or will be temporarily residing in a home owned by a family member.General Program Requirements
To qualify for the Specially Adapted Housing Grant, you must have:- 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:
- Residuals of organic disease or injury, or
- 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; OR
- Severe burn injuries.
The disability must be service connected.
To qualify for the Special Housing Adaptations Housing Grant, you must have:- Blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less; OR
- The anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.
The current VA rating decision issued by the Veterans Service Center establishes the veteran or servicemember's basic eligibility for a Specially Adapted Housing Grant.
Most veterans who receive a Specially Adapted Housing Grant are also eligible for Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance covering the unpaid principal, not to exceed $90,000, on the mortgage loan. You can go to the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance page to see the program requirements.
Generally, in order to receive VA benefits and services the veteran/servicemember's character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general). However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other types of dishonorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA.
For more information, visit our Specially Adapted Housing Program webpage.
