Specially Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans

 

To help certain severely disabled veterans acquire a home which is suitably adapted to meet the special needs of their disabilities.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
64.106
Federal Agency/Office
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
C - Direct Payments For Specified Use
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2017 In 2017 grants were made to 2,389 disabled Veterans
Fiscal Year 2016 FY 2016 grants were made to 2,037 disabled Veterans
Fiscal Year 2018 Estimated grants made to disabled Veterans in 2018 is 2,389
Authorization
Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006, Public Law 109-233, 38 U.S.C. 2101-2106
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
For a SAH grant, veterans are eligible if they are entitled to disability compensation for a permanent, total, and service-connected disability due to:(1) loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, canes, crutches, or a wheelchair; (2) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus loss or loss of use of one lower extremity; (3) 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, which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair; or (4) loss or loss of use, of both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms at or above the elbows; (5) a severe burn injury. It must be medically feasible for the veteran to reside in the particular home involved. For an SHA grant, veterans are eligible if they are entitled to disability compensation for a permanent and total service -connected disability that (1) is due to blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or (2) includes the anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands, or (3) a severe burn injury.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Permanently and totally disabled veterans.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Initial application for determination of basic eligibility may be made on VA Form 26-4555 to the VA egional office holding the veteran's claim folder. Veterans can also apply through eBenefits at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage. After eligibility is determined, a VA employee will personally assist the veteran throughout subsequent processing, including advice on a suitable house plan and lot, adaptive features, location of a qualified architect and builder, and submission of the documents necessary for final grant approval.
Award Procedure
The VA Regional Office releases the grant proceeds after conditions of the contract and grant approval are fulfilled.
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 30 to 60 days. Initial interview completed within 30 days of determination of eligibility. Grant approval timeline varies and is dependent upon veteran's desires to move forward with securing contractors and drafting construction plans.
Appeals
Denial of eligibility is appealable through the Board of Veterans' Appeals. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Not applicable.
How may assistance be used?
a. The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant program helps Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities live independently in a barrier-free environment. SAH grants can be used in one of the following ways: (1) construct a suitable home on suitable land either already owned or to be acquired by the veteran, or (2) remodel an existing home if it can be suitably adapted, or (3) acquire a suitably adapted home or reduce the outstanding mortgage on a suitably adapted home already owned by the veteran. b. The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant program helps veterans with certain service-connected disabilities adapt or purchase a home to accommodate the disability. SHA grants can be used in one of the following ways: (1) adapt an existing home the veteran or a family member already owns in which the veteran lives; (2) adapt a home the veteran or family member intends to purchase in which the veteran will live; (3) help a veteran purchase a home already adapted in which the veteran will live. c. . The Temporary Residence Adaptations (TRA) program provides adaptation assistance to veterans who are residing, but do not intend to permanently reside, in the a residence owned by a family member. If a veteran is otherwise eligible for SAH or SHA, the assistance is limited. d. SAH and SHA grants may be used up to three times, as long as the aggregate grant amount does not exceed the statutory dollar limitation. TRA grants may only be used once (and count as a grant usage for purposes of the limit of three), and the amount of assistance provided will be subtracted from the veteran's available statutory maximum.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
None.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The way grant funds are released is dependent on the grant’s purpose (mortgage principle reduction or remodel and construction). Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
Applicants should communicate with the nearest VA Regional Office. Case development and assistance will be provided by the VA office with jurisdiction over the location of the property involved. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses of these offices listed under Department of Veterans Affairs. Information may be obtained from the nearest Regional Office by calling toll-free 1-800- 827-1000.
Headquarters Office
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20420 US
Phone: 202-461-9500
Website Address
http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0137-0-1-702
Obligations
(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 16$117,885,000.00; FY 17 est $124,626,000.00; FY 18 Estimate Not Available
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
SAH: For the housing unit, land, fixtures, and allowable expenses, up to $73,768 . SHA: For adaptations to the veteran's residence, up to $14,754.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
38 CFR 3.809, 36.4400-36.4411 , and title 38, United State Code, chapter 21; "Questions and Answers on Specially Adapted Housing for Veterans," VA Pamphlet 26-69-1, no charge; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00 , available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is 051-000-00233-4 . "Handbook for Design, Specially Adapted Housing," VA Pamphlet 26-13, available to eligible veterans.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 


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