U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
By: Holly Kennedy, PT, CAPS, CEAC, ECHM
So, you’ve decided you’d like to make your home safer and easier to use, but you aren’t sure how to get started and most importantly, how you will pay for it. Home modifications are changes to the home to make daily activities easier and safer. These changes can help people to stay in their homes and communities after a significant injury/illness that results in a disability and as they age. While many home modifications, such as adding a grab bar and removing clutter, are free or low cost, others, such as remodeling bathrooms for accessibility, can be more expensive.
It is important to start with a consultation with a home modification professional to determine the most effective plan for you and your home. This step is crucial in avoiding mistakes which typically end up adding to overall costs and reducing the efficacy and helpfulness of the renovation.
Determining how to pay for the changes is the second step in the process. Funding sources for home modifications are available but can be difficult to identify and access. Over the next few months, we will explore some of these different funding sources to help you know understand what resources are available and if you qualify.
Funding Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs offers housing grants for eligible veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so they can buy or change a home to meet their needs and live more independently. Changing your home might involve installing ramps or widening doorways. Below is a list and brief description of common grants offered to Veterans.
Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH) This grant helps disabled Veterans and Service members enjoy barrier-free living, for example a wheelchair accessible home. SAH provides up to $101,754 for FY 2022 to construct an adapted home, remodel a home, or apply to a mortgage balance of an adapted home purchased with a VA grant. To apply: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp
Special Housing Adaptation Grant (SHA) This grant can be used to increase mobility throughout the residence. SHA provides up to $20,387 for FY 2022 to adapt the home of a Veteran or of a family member with whom the Veteran lives, or to help purchase a home for modification or one already adapted. To apply: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp
Temporary Residence Adaptation Grant (TRA) TRA provides a temporary grant to adapt the home of a family member. The maximum grant is $40,983 (SAH) and up to $7,318 for (SHA) in 2022. To apply: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant (HISA) HISA funds medically necessary accessibility improvements to entrances, bathrooms, and kitchens; providing Veterans with service-related disabilities up to $6,800 and Veterans with non-service related disabilities up to $2,000. To apply: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/HISA2.asp
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) – Housing Adaptation Assistance VR&E may provide home adaptations to individuals who are not currently able to work because of the effects of their service-connected disabilities, or who require adaptations to achieve a vocational goal. The benefits are limited to those required to improve independence at home and/or in the community. • Home adaptations up to $93,356 may be provided as part of an approved rehabilitation plan. To apply: http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/independent_living.asp
If you have served our country in the military, U.S. Department of Veterans may be able to assist in making necessary home modifications due to a disability. Maximum grant amounts adjust annually, so check the website for updates in 2023. Over the next few months, we will explore a few other funding sources for home modifications. Stay tuned to see if one is right for you!
References: https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants/