Veterans who need to repair or modify their homes may have several assistance options available. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers housing grants and home-improvement benefits for certain eligible veterans, particularly those with qualifying service-connected disabilities.
Depending on your situation, assistance may help with accessibility modifications, structural changes, ramps, bathrooms, entrances, or other improvements needed to make a home safer and more accessible. Other government programs may help with general home repairs if you meet their separate eligibility requirements.
Who May Qualify for VA Home Repair Assistance
Eligibility depends on the specific program. You may find assistance if you:
- Are a veteran or service member
- Have a qualifying service-connected disability
- Need home modifications because of a disability
- Own or live in a home that needs accessibility improvements
- Need medically necessary structural alterations
- Are a low-income homeowner in an eligible rural area
- Are 62 or older and meet requirements for certain home-repair grants
Not every veteran qualifies for every home-repair program.
Check What You May Qualify For
Finding the right home repair assistance can be confusing because VA and other government programs have different eligibility rules. OpenGrants Network helps you discover legitimate assistance programs that may match your situation.
- ✓ Free eligibility check
- ✓ Free guidance if needed
Programs can vary based on veteran status, disability, income, age, location, and the type of repair needed.
VA Home Repair and Modification Programs
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)
The VA HISA benefit can help eligible veterans and service members pay for medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to their primary residence.
Examples can include modifications that make it easier to enter or leave the home, use bathroom facilities, access kitchen counters or sinks, install permanent ramps, or make plumbing or electrical changes needed for home medical equipment.
HISA is not a general remodeling program. The improvement must have a medical purpose and meet VA requirements.
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
The SAH grant helps certain veterans and service members with qualifying service-connected disabilities buy, build, or modify a permanent home.
Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant
The SHA grant is another VA housing grant for veterans and service members with certain qualifying service-connected disabilities.
Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA)
Some veterans who qualify for SAH or SHA may also qualify for a Temporary Residence Adaptation grant when they are temporarily living in a family member's home that needs modifications.
Other Home Repair Assistance for Veterans
VA programs are not the only potential source of home repair assistance.
USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program
Eligible low- and very-low-income homeowners in qualifying rural areas may be able to receive USDA Section 504 assistance.
The program provides loans for eligible repairs and grants for certain elderly homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. Grants are generally limited to homeowners age 62 or older who meet the program's income and other requirements.
The USDA program is not a veteran-specific program, but an eligible veteran may qualify if they meet its requirements.
Local and Community Programs
Some communities, nonprofits, housing organizations, and local governments offer home-repair or accessibility assistance. Availability varies considerably by location.
Veterans may also want to ask their VA social worker, local VA facility, or Veteran Service Organization about local resources.
What Home Repairs May Be Covered?
Depending on the program, assistance may help with:
- Wheelchair ramps
- Doorway widening
- Bathroom accessibility
- Roll-in showers
- Kitchen modifications
- Permanent entrance improvements
- Accessibility improvements
- Certain plumbing or electrical changes
- Structural alterations related to a disability
- Health and safety repairs under qualifying non-VA programs
A program may not cover ordinary remodeling, cosmetic upgrades, or unrelated improvements.
How to Find VA Home Repair Assistance
- Identify the repair you need. Determine whether the project is related to a disability, medical need, health or safety problem, or general home maintenance.
- Check your VA eligibility. Review your service-connected disability status and the requirements of the relevant VA program.
- Ask about HISA. If the modification is medically necessary, ask your VA healthcare team or Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service about HISA.
- Check SAH or SHA. Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities should review VA's adapted housing grants.
- Look beyond VA. If you need general repairs rather than disability-related modifications, check USDA, state, local, and nonprofit programs.
- Apply before beginning work. Some programs require approval or documentation before repairs or modifications begin.