Federal officials want to fix up more disabled veterans’ homes, but first they need more construction experts and more projects to work on.
The Department of Veterans Affairs handed out more than 2,300 Specially Adapted Housing grants last fiscal year, a record for the program. But grant chief Jason Latona believes the effort can expand even further in coming years, if officials can make more veterans and home builders aware of the offering.
“We kind of see ourselves as ambassadors for our veterans to the construction industry,” he said. “And we try to make that connection whenever we can.
“Our builders and veterans both go into the projects with open eyes realizing that this work will be different, probably be a little dirty and messy, but we’re ready for it.”
The SAH program awards grants to veterans and service members with certain severe service-connected disabilities, to allow them to make home adjustments so they can live more independently.
Work can include installing ramps, lowering cabinets, installing walk-in showers and other such projects to accommodate individuals’ disabilities.
Three years ago, Congress amended the program to expand eligibility and allow veterans multiple uses of the grants, as their needs and housing situations change over the years. Today, the total value of the grants can exceed $100,000.
And Latona said VA officials can pair the SAH grants with other department offerings to bring those totals up even further, if the projects warrant it.
The department estimates that up to 5,000 veterans annually may be eligible for the grants, but less than half typically apply. VA officials are upping their outreach efforts this summer in an attempt to reach more eligible individuals.
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Author: Military Times
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