Veterans with Disabilities: Housing and Homeless Resources

The following is a list of programs available to help veterans who are homeless or who need help with housing.

Adapted Housing Grants

There are several housing grants available through the Department of Veterans Affairs for constructing an adapted home or modifying an existing home.

• Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant: Provides funding to veterans or service members who have specific service-connected disabilities to build an adapted home or modify an existing home within a specified cost range.
• Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant: Provides funding to veterans who are blind in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or who have the anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands or extremities below the elbow to modify an existing home to meet their adaptive needs. The grant is limited to a certain amount of funding.
• Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant: Provides assistance to veterans with service-connected disabilities or veterans with nonservice-connected disabilities for any home improvement necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. A veteran may receive both a HISA grant and either a SHA or SAH grant.
• Temporary Residence Grant: Provides specially adapted housing grants to veterans with disabilities and service members temporarily living in a home owned by a family member up to pre-determined amounts for either a SAH or SHA grant.

For more information: Specially Adapted Housing Program

Department of Veterans Affairs - Homeless Veterans

Provides special programs and initiatives specifically designed to help homeless veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. Services include clinical assessment and referral to needed medical treatment for physical and psychiatric disorders, including substance abuse; long-term sheltered transitional assistance, case management, and rehabilitation; employment assistance and linkage with available income supports; and supported permanent housing. For more information: US Department of Veterans Affairs - Homeless Veterans

Emergency Food and Shelter Program

Provides shelter, food and supportive services for homeless individuals. The program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For more information: Emergency Food and Shelter Program

Health Care for the Homeless Program

Provides care for homeless persons in the United States, including those who live on the street, in shelters or in transitional housing. This program is administered through Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration. For more information: The Health Center Program

Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program

Provides services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to develop effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. This is a program of the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information: Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program

HUD-VASH

Provides permanent housing and ongoing case management treatment services for homeless veterans who would not be able to live independently without the support of case management. This is joint Supported Housing Program between U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For more information: Overview of HUD Homeless and Housing Programs and Veterans Information

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Provides information for homeless veterans or veterans at risk of becoming homeless, such as information about resources available to address specific needs, how to replace personal records, information about seeking VA benefits, and a printable summary of phone numbers and Web sites. For more information: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)

Provides services for people with serious mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Services include community-based outreach, mental health, substance abuse, case management and other support services, as well as a limited set of housing services. The program is administered by the Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. For more information: PATH

Specially Adapted Housing Program

Provides a barrier-free living environment so that veterans or service members can live independently by providing grants to construct an adapted home or modify an existing home to meet their adaptive needs. For more information: Specially Adapted Housing Program

Utility Assistance for Military Families in Ohio

Some Ohio utilities have plans that can assist families who lose an income because a member of their household is away on active duty and some have established special programs to assist military personnel. For more information: Utility Assistance for Military Families (PDF file)