The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that funding is now available for the Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology (SAHAT) Grant Program for FY 2016.
The VA acknowledges that Veterans needing home adaptations due to their disabilities could potentially benefit from more than wider hallways and doors and roll-in showers. The SAHAT Grant Program objective is to encourage the development of new assistive technologies for adapted housing.
Through September 30, 2016, the VA is authorized to provide grants of up to $200,000 per fiscal year to persons or entities for development of specially adapted housing assistive technologies. No more than $1 million in grants may be awarded in any fiscal year.
The funding opportunity is VA-SAHAT-16-1. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs via www.Grants.gov no later than February 29, 2016. The full notice and registration process for FY2016 project applications can be viewed at https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-33190.
Application packages must include a project description, estimated schedule, and how the new technology will aid or enhance the ability of Veterans and Service members to live in an adapted home.
Grant applications for the new assistive technology will be scored on the following:
- how it is innovative
- how it will meet a specific, unmet need
- how it is specifically designed to promote independent living
- the concept, size and scope
- implementation plan for production and market
- characteristics of the grant applicant such as economic reliability, minority status, veteran-owned business
- information about how the applicant will protect the interests or further the mission of the VA
The Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant is not a veterans’ benefit. The decisions by the VA are final and are not subject to appeal rights afforded veterans’ benefits. The VA does not have a duty to assist grant applicants.
The Veterans’ Benefits Act of 2010, Public Law 111-275, section 203, 124 Stat. 2874 (2010) amended 38 USC 21 to establish this grant program. The implementing regulation is 38 CFR 36.4412 Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program.