A Safer, More Accessible Home: Three VA Housing-Adaptation Resources Veterans Should Know About
For a veteran living with a service-connected disability, seemingly ordinary features of a home—a staircase, narrow doorway, traditional bathtub or inaccessible entrance—can become significant barriers to independence.
Home modifications can help. Three VA programs worth understanding are Specially Adapted Housing (SAH), Special Home Adaptation (SHA), and Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA).
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH)
The SAH grant is available to qualifying veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities who own or will own their permanent home. Depending upon the veteran's needs and eligibility, the grant can help purchase, build or modify a home to create a more accessible living environment.
For fiscal year 2026, the maximum SAH grant is $126,526.
Special Home Adaptation (SHA)
SHA is another VA disability-housing grant with different qualifying criteria. Depending upon the circumstances, SHA funds may be used to adapt an existing home, adapt a home the veteran or family member intends to purchase, or help purchase an already-adapted home.
For fiscal year 2026, the maximum SHA grant is $25,350.
3. Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)
HISA can provide assistance for medically necessary improvements or structural alterations to a veteran's primary residence.
Eligible improvements may include:
- Accessible entrances and exits
- Roll-in showers and certain bathroom modifications
- Accessible sinks or counters
- Permanent ramping
- Certain plumbing or electrical modifications required for home medical equipment
What About a Temporary Residence?
VA also provides a Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) option for certain veterans who qualify for SAH or SHA but are temporarily living in a family member's home.
How Veterans Can Begin
Veterans interested in SAH or SHA can apply online or submit VA Form 26-4555, Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant.
Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Housing Grants page for current eligibility information and application instructions.
VA Disability Housing GrantsMDHS Helps Veterans Navigate the Options
The challenge is not always the absence of resources. Sometimes it is knowing which resource applies, where to start and what questions to ask.
Metro Detroit Housing Service (MDHS) works to help veterans better understand housing resources, identify potential pathways and connect with the appropriate agencies and community partners.
Through our Veteran Home Repair & Accessibility efforts, our objective is straightforward:
Help veterans live more safely, independently and comfortably in the homes they call their own.
Metro Detroit Housing Service (MDHS) is an independent nonprofit organization. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, authorized by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, HUD, MSHDA or any other government agency. MDHS provides education, housing navigation and community-based services. Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined solely by the applicable administering agency.
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