2017 increase for Specially Adapted Housing Grant

2017 increase for Specially Adapted Housing Grant

The total amounts of Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH) assistance available to eligible veterans and servicemembers increased by 4.797 percent on October 1, 2016.

LOGO-VA-SEALHere are the newly authorized total amounts by grant type:

  • Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program (2101(a) grants) – $77,307
  • Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) (2101(a) and 2102A grants) – $33,937
  • Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant Program (2101(b) grants) – $15,462
  • Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) (2101(b) and 2102A grants) – $6,059

There are very specific guidelines on the amounts that can be distributed, and when funds are distributed, and for what purpose.

Program Snapshot

Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH) (2101a grants)

  • “2101a grants” refers to the law codified in Title 38, United States Code, Section 2101(a). This section describes the eligibility criteria for the Specially Adapted Housing Grant, including the required time period for active duty service, service-connected disability, and the cause of the disability.
  • The grant is for severely disabled veterans injured in service on or after September 11, 2001
  • Veteran must be entitled to VA compensation for a permanent service-connected disability
  • The application must be submitted to the VA prior to September 30, 2017
  • The VA is restricted to approving no more than 30 applications for the entire fiscal year

Special Housing Adaptation Grant (SHA) (2101b grants)

  • “2101b grants” refers to the law codified in Title 38, United States Code, Section 2101(b). This section describes the eligibility criteria for the Special Housing Adaptation Grant, including the required time period for active duty service, service-connected disability, and the cause of the disability. Veterans eligible for (or previously received) ‘2101(a)’ grants are not eligible for “2101(b)” grants.
  • Veteran must have a service-connected disability (any of a list of specific disabilities)
  • The grant is to be used for adaptations to a residence or in acquiring a residence already adapted
  • The residence can be owned by the veteran or a family member

Temporary Residence Adaptation Grant (TRA)

  • Designed to assist eligible Veterans temporarily residing in a housing unit owned by a family member. The funds can be used to adapt the unit to meet the veteran’s current needs.
  • Veterans must be eligible for a SAH or SHA grant
  • There are very specific requirements that must be met when adapting a feature of the unit
  • The veteran must not intend to permanently reside with the family member
  • TRA grant amounts are not deducted from the maximum grant assistance available
  • TRA grants do count as one of three authorized grant uses
  • The TRA Grant Program is set to expire December 31, 1022 under current law

References:

  • Public Law 110-289, Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008
  • Public Law 112-154, Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012
  • Public Law 114-228, Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016
  • Title 38, United States Code, Sections 2101(a), 2101(b), 2102(d), 2102(e), and 2102A(b)(2)
  • Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 3.809(for 2101a grants) and 3.809a (for 2101b grants)
  • Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 36.4411(a)
  • VA Adjudication Procedures Manual, M21-1, Part IX, Subpart I, Chapter 3 – Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grants
  • VA Manual 26-12, Specially Adapted Housing Grant Processing Procedures, Loan Guaranty Operations for Regional Offices