VA Adaptive Housing Grants: A Path to Safety, Accessibility, and Independence for Veterans

For many veterans with service-connected disabilities, some of the toughest challenges can be at home. Narrow doorways, steep steps, and inaccessible bathrooms can turn everyday life into a struggle for safety and independence.

You don’t have to face this alone.

At National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS), we help veterans take back control of their living space. From understanding VA Adaptive Housing Grants to navigating the paperwork and finding the right support, we’re with you every step of the way.

The VA offers two major grant programs to help make homes safer and more accessible. NVHS is here to guide you through the process so you can focus on what matters most: living independently and staying safely at home.

 

What Are VA Adaptive Housing Grants?

The VA offers two key programs that provide funding to build or modify homes for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities:

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

This is the larger and more comprehensive grant for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities. It can be used to:

• Build a specially adapted home on land you own or plan to buy
• Remodel your existing home to make it accessible
• Pay down the mortgage on a home you’ve already adapted without VA assistance

As of 2024, the maximum SAH grant amount is $117,014. Veterans can use the grant up to six times during their lifetime, not to exceed the total cap.

Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant

This grant is for veterans with different but still serious service-connected disabilities. It helps with:

• Modifying a home you or a family member owns
• Purchasing a previously adapted home
• Adapting a home you or a family member plans to buy

The SHA grant amount is $23,444 in 2024 and can be used up to six times, up to the same total cap.

Both grants are tax-free, and the money does not need to be repaid.

Who Is Eligible for These Grants?

You must own or plan to own your home, and your disability must be connected to your service. Here’s a breakdown of eligibility for each grant:

SAH Eligibility (You may qualify if you have…):

• Loss or loss of use of more than one limb
• Loss or loss of use of a lower leg, plus residual effects of a disease or injury
• Blindness in both eyes (visual acuity 20/200 or worse)
• Certain severe burns
• Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity after 9/11 that affects balance or walking without assistance

SHA Eligibility (You may qualify if you have…):

• Loss or loss of use of both hands
• Certain severe burns
• Certain respiratory or breathing-related conditions

Not sure where you fall? NVHS can help you determine eligibility based on your medical records and service history.

What If You Live with Family? Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant

If you’re temporarily living in a family member’s home but still need accessibility upgrades, the VA offers the TRA Grant:

• SAH-eligible veterans can receive up to $47,130
• SHA-eligible veterans can receive up to $8,415

This grant doesn’t require homeownership and is ideal for transitional situations where you’re recovering or waiting for permanent housing.

How to Apply for an Adaptive Housing Grant

The application process might look complicated, but you don’t have to do it alone. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Determine Which Grant Fits Your Needs

SAH for more severe mobility or vision-related disabilities; SHA for upper limb or respiratory challenges.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

You’ll need:

• Proof of military service (usually a DD214)
• Your VA disability rating letter
• A general description of your current housing situation

Step 3: Complete VA Form 26-4555

This is the official application for both SAH and SHA grants. You can:

• Apply online 
• Download the form and mail it to:

Department of Veterans Affairs

Claims Intake Center

PO Box 4444

Janesville, WI 53547-4444

• Submit in person at your nearest VA Regional Office

Step 4: Work with Your Assigned VA Agent

Once your application is received, the VA will assign you a Specially Adapted Housing Agent. 

They’ll review your eligibility, inspect your home (or potential property), and help move the process forward.

Reach out to us today; we’ll help you apply, navigate the process, and take the next step toward greater independence.

Common Uses for SAH and SHA Funds

The grant funds can cover a wide range of modifications, including:

• Installing wheelchair ramps
• Widening doorways and hallways
• Remodeling kitchens and bathrooms for accessibility
• Adding grab bars, roll-in showers, or lower countertops
• Making entries and exits safer and easier
• Building new, fully adapted homes from the ground up

Important: The VA does not give you the money directly. Instead, funds are typically paid to licensed contractors working on your approved project.

The Importance of Accessible Living for Veterans

For veterans with disabilities, home isn’t just where you live; it’s where you heal. But too often, the lack of accessibility can create physical and emotional stress. We’ve seen firsthand how these challenges can impact daily life:

• Veterans with limited mobility are unable to enter their own homes without assistance
• Bathrooms that are unsafe due to a lack of grab bars or walk-in showers
• Kitchens or hallways that are impossible to navigate in a wheelchair
• Veterans are forced to live with relatives because their own homes aren’t accessible

In many of these cases, the problem is not a lack of effort or pride but a lack of resources or understanding about what help is available. That’s where VA Adaptive Housing Grants come in.

How NVHS Helps Veterans Access Adaptive Housing Grants

At NVHS, we work with veterans across Central Florida and beyond to connect them to housing support, including VA grants like SAH and SHA. 

We’re here to ensure that no veteran misses out on the benefits they’ve earned.

Here’s how we help:

Eligibility Review

We’ll help you understand if you qualify based on your medical records and service history.

Application Assistance

We’ll guide you through VA Form 26-4555, help gather documents, and submit everything properly.

Follow-Up and Advocacy

If your application hits delays or confusion, we’ll help follow up with the VA and push for the clarity and action you deserve.

Need Help Getting Started? Let’s Talk.

We get it if you’re unsure, overwhelmed, or stuck. These grants can be life-changing, but the paperwork and process can feel like a mountain.

That’s why we are here.

Every day, we help veterans and their families take that first step toward stability. If your home isn’t working for your body or if you’re a caregiver trying to support someone you love, don’t wait.

Your Support Matters

Want to help a veteran live more independently and safely at home? Here’s how:

• Donate to support NVHS’s case management and outreach efforts
• Volunteer to help us reach more veterans in need
• Share this guide with a veteran or caregiver in your community (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube) 

Get involved today!

Home Should Be a Place of Strength, Not Struggle

The VA’s Adaptive Housing Grants are more than construction projects; they’re lifelines. They help veterans regain freedom, dignity, and security in the one place where they should feel safe: home.

If you’re ready to explore your options, apply for help, or ask questions, NVHS is ready to stand beside you.

Let’s build a safer future; starting with your front door.