If you’re a veteran with a service-connected disability, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers housing grants to help make your home safe, accessible, and suited to your needs. These benefits can be life-changing, whether you need a wheelchair-accessible residence, modifications to your existing home, or changes to a family member’s home where you’re living.
This guide explains the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant, the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant, the Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant, and other housing-related VA support available in 2026.
1. Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
Purpose
The SAH grant helps eligible veterans buy, build, or modify a home to make it wheelchair accessible and better suited to severe disabilities.
Who Qualifies?
Veterans and service members may qualify if they have certain severe service-connected disabilities that affect mobility, balance, or independence, including:
- Loss or loss of use of both legs
- Loss or loss of use of both arms
- Blindness in both eyes with very limited vision
- Loss of one lower extremity with residual conditions
- Certain severe burn injuries
- Some respiratory/breathing impairments tied to service
Maximum Funding (FY 2026)
In Fiscal Year 2026, the maximum SAH grant is up to $126,526. This amount is adjusted annually based on construction cost indexes to reflect real housing costs.
What You Can Use It For?
You can use SAH funds to:
- Build a new specially adapted home
- Modify your current home (e.g., widen doorways, install ramps)
- Buy a home already adapted for your needs
- Pay down the mortgage on an adapted home you already own
Lifetime Use Limit
You can use this grant up to six times in your lifetime (total usage not to exceed the grant cap).
2. Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant
Purpose
The SHA grant assists veterans with disabilities who don’t qualify for the full SAH grant but still require home modifications to improve mobility or daily living.
Who Qualifies?
Typical qualifying conditions include:
- Loss or loss of use of both hands
- Severe burns
- Certain serious respiratory conditions
Maximum Funding (FY 2026)
The SHA grant’s maximum allowable amount is up to $25,350 for 2026.
Uses
SHA grant funds may be applied to:
- Adapting your current home
- Buying a home already suited to your disability
- Adapting a home you or a family member owns (if you’ll live there)
Like SAH, SHA funds can be used across multiple phases, up to six grant uses in a veteran’s lifetime.
3. Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant
Purpose
The TRA grant helps veterans adapt a family member’s home when the veteran is temporarily residing there and cannot yet live independently or own their adapted home.
Maximum Funding (FY 2026)
- If eligible for SAH: up to $50,961
- If eligible for SHA: up to $9,100
This grant does not count against the total SAH or SHA lifetime cap but it typically counts as one of the “uses” when determining lifetime use limits.
4. Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant
In addition to SAH, SHA and TRA grants, the VA also offers the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant, which helps veterans, even those without service-connected disabilities, make medically necessary home adjustments. Examples include installing ramps, improving shower access, or accommodating medical equipment.
HISA Grant Maximums (approximate):
- Service-connected disability: Up to about $6,800
- Non-service-connected disability: Up to about $2,000
5. Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for SAH or SHA grants, you must meet all of the following:
- Have a service-connected disability recognized by the VA that meets the grant criteria.
- Own or intend to own the home you want to modify or build.
- Provide documentation of your disability and how it limits daily living.
For TRA grants, you must be temporarily living in a family member’s home that needs adaptation to meet your disability-related needs.
How to Apply for VA Housing Grants?
You can apply for SAH or SHA grants online at VA.gov, in person at a VA regional office, or by mail using VA Form 26-4555 (“Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant”).
Steps to Apply:
- Confirm eligibility and gather medical documentation.
- Complete VA Form 26-4555.
- Submit the form online, by mail, or at a regional VA office.
- Track your application and await the VA decision letter.
Examples of Grant Uses
Veterans commonly use these grants for:
- Building accessible entryways and removing steps.
- Installing ramps, lifts, or elevators.
- Widening doorways for wheelchair access.
- Lowering countertops and light switches for accessibility.
- Modifying bathrooms for roll-in showers and handrails.
Expert Insight
Housing benefits specialist John McDonough explains:
“These grants are designed to restore independence and dignity by making homes functional and accessible for veterans with serious service-connected disabilities.”
Final Thoughts
VA housing grants like SAH, SHA, TRA, and HISA provide tremendous support to veterans with disabilities, helping them live independently and safely in a home that meets their needs. With FY 2026 maximums of over $126,000 for SAH and $25,000+ for SHA, these benefits can cover substantial construction and adaptation costs.
If you or a loved one faces mobility challenges or accessibility needs due to service-connected disability, exploring and applying for these grants could significantly improve quality of life and home independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live in the home to receive a grant?
Yes, for SAH and SHA, you must either own or intend to own the home you’re modifying. For TRA, you must live temporarily in the family member’s home being adapted.
Are these grants taxable?
No. VA housing grants are tax-free and do not have to be repaid.
Can I use the grant more than once?
Yes. SAH and SHA grants can be used up to six times in your lifetime as long as the total you receive does not exceed the cap. TRA can typically be used once and counts toward this use limit.
Can I combine these grants with a VA home loan?
Yes. You may combine SAH and SHA grants with VA home loans to help purchase or adapt an accessible home.
Do I have to repay the money?
No, all VA housing grants are not loans, so you don’t have to repay them.
