Housing Grants and Loans for U.S. Veterans
Federal and state housing benefits for veterans and service-disabled veterans — from zero-down VA loans to adaptive housing grants that fund home modifications without repayment.
“The SAH grant paid for a full wheelchair-accessible addition to our house — widened doorways, a roll-in shower, and a ramp off the back deck. The VA covered $109,000 of the $134,000 project, and I did not owe a dollar in repayment.”
Who these grants help
Three common situations. Pick the one closest to yours — we'll show you the programs most likely to accept you.
The Service-Disabled Veteran
You have a qualifying service-connected disability and need wheelchair access or structural modifications.
The First-Time Buyer Veteran
You are ready to buy your first home and want to avoid a down payment and mortgage insurance.
The Aging Veteran at Home
You served decades ago and now need ramps, grab bars, or a walk-in shower to stay in your home.
Veterans programs
Showing top 8 of 53, sorted by award amount.
VA Loan Assumption
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Cash-Out Refinance
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Georgia Veterans Home Loan Program
Georgia Department of Veterans Service
Iowa Veterans Housing Program
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
Illinois Veterans Housing Program
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Kentucky Veterans Housing Program
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Maryland Veterans Housing Program
Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs
Maine Veterans Housing Program
Maine Department of Veterans Affairs
Understanding veterans grants
Veterans have access to a distinct set of housing benefits that are separate from, and often more generous than, the general grant programs available to civilian homeowners. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs administers the core of these benefits, including the VA Home Loan guaranty, which allows most eligible veterans to purchase a primary residence with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. Related programs include the Native American Direct Loan for veterans who live on federal trust land and refinance options such as the Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan.
For veterans with service-connected disabilities, the VA also funds three adaptive housing programs that pay for physical modifications to the home. The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant is the largest, with a 2026 maximum of $117,014, and helps veterans with qualifying disabilities build, buy, or remodel a home for wheelchair accessibility. The Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant covers up to $23,444 for less extensive modifications, and the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant provides up to $6,800 for service-connected disabilities or $2,000 for non-service-connected conditions.
State programs layer additional help on top of federal benefits. California's CalVet Home Loan offers below-market financing through the Department of Veterans Affairs of California, while the Texas Veterans Land Board runs home loan, land loan, and home improvement loan programs funded by state bonds. Oregon, Wisconsin, and several other states operate their own veteran loan funds, and dozens of cities waive or reduce fees for veteran first-time buyers.
Most VA benefits require a Certificate of Eligibility, which the VA issues based on service records. Adaptive housing grants require medical documentation from a VA clinician confirming the qualifying disability. Browse the featured programs below to see what is currently funded, or read the latest news on award caps, processing times, and new state-level additions for 2026.
Typical eligibility
- Active-duty, reserve, National Guard, or honorably discharged veteran status
- Valid Certificate of Eligibility issued by the VA
- Property will be used as your primary residence
- Service-connected disability rating required for SAH, SHA, and most HISA awards
- Sufficient income and credit to repay loan-based benefits such as the VA Home Loan
How to apply
Confirm Eligibility
Request your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA and gather your DD-214 and disability rating letter.
Match the Benefit
Compare VA loan, SAH, SHA, HISA, and state veteran programs against your housing goal and disability status.
Apply and Close
File VA Form 26-4555 for adaptive housing or work with a VA-approved lender for loan benefits and state programs.
Articles about veterans
Top 12 of 28 articles in this category, sorted by popularity.
Grant Programs for Home Upgrades for Disabled Veterans
Home Improvement Grants and Repair Assistance for Disabled Veterans - Various housing grants have been tailored specifically for veterans and service members grappling with disabilities. It's widely…
Home Ownership Barriers Lifted for Veterans
John Bell, III, the esteemed executive director of VA’s Loan Guaranty Service (LGY), recently embarked on a proactive journey to collaborate with industry...
Get the Lowdown on Veteran Mortgage Relief Programs
When it comes to safeguarding the financial well-being of military veterans, the U.S. government has put several mortgage relief measures in place.
Housing Assistance for Veterans Available
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs administers VA housing assistance to help Veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses to buy a home or refinance a loan. They also provide benefits…
Home Depot's $400K Donation: A Major Boost for Housing Veterans in Novato
Two Bay Area organizations have been chosen as beneficiaries of The Home Depot Foundation's generous donation of $800,000 in Novato, California. The aim of this philanthropic endeavor is to support…
Veterans Affairs Mortgage Rates Analysis for September 2023
VA loans , a valuable benefit for active or retired military personnel and their spouses, offer a pathway to homeownership with distinct advantages over conventional mortgages.
Veterans: Don't Miss the Upcoming Deadline For PACT Act Benefits
President Joe Biden put his signature to The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act last...
Interested In Texas Real Estate? Explore The Veteran Homebuying Program To See If You Qualify
Are you in search of some form of assistance? Relocating from an undeveloped area or city to a flourishing state like Texas is often accompanied by a sense of exhilaration.
Veterans Struggle with Housing Market Entry as VA Home Loan Rates Rise
Rising interest rates are causing challenges for potential homebuyers in Colorado, particularly veterans seeking homes through the Department of Veterans...
Tillis Leads Bipartisan Push to Expand VA Home Loan Awareness
Senator Thom Tillis and a bipartisan coalition introduced the VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2023 to help more veterans learn about and use their home loan benefit.
Veterans' Path to Home: Collaborative HUD-VA Initiative for Permanent Housing Begins
In a remarkable collaboration aimed at addressing the pressing issue of veteran homelessness, the U.S.
Financial Aid for Veterans: Downpayment Assistance Loan Program
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission has established the Veterans Downpayment Assistance Loan Program , a dedicated initiative to support...
Your questions, answered
Do I have to repay a VA adaptive housing grant?
Can I use the VA Home Loan more than once?
What is the difference between SAH and SHA?
Can surviving spouses use veteran housing benefits?
How long does adaptive housing approval take?
Do state veteran programs stack with federal benefits?
Not sure where to start?
Take the 2-minute eligibility quiz. We'll match your situation to the grants most likely to approve you.
Start eligibility quiz