GA Habitat Chapter to Receive $1 Million for Home Rehab of Low-Income Veterans

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced $4.8 million in funding through the Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot (VHRMP) Program to assist disabled veterans with modifying or rehabilitating their homes, making them more accessible.

Through the VHRMP program, grantees will make necessary physical modifications to address the adaptive housing needs of eligible veterans, including wheelchair ramps, widening exterior and interior doors, reconfiguring and reequipping bathrooms, or adding a bedroom or bathroom for the veteran’s caregiver.

“Our veterans gave everything in service to our country so it’s now our duty to ensure they have a safe and decent place to call home,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “The grants awarded today ensure veterans living with disabilities can make the necessary adaptive modifications to their homes, allowing them to lead self-sufficient lives.”

“Our biggest hope for Veterans is that they fully participate in the country they fought to defend once they return from service,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “These grants further that goal by ensuring Veterans with service-related disabilities don’t just get housing, but live in a home that meets their specific needs. We’re proud to work with our nonprofit partners once again this year to help our Veterans.”

The purpose of this pilot program is to assist our nation’s low-income veterans living with disabilities who need adaptive housing to help them regain or maintain their independence. By partnering with the VA, HUD is addressing these challenges by awarding competitive grants to organizations that primarily serve veterans and low-income people.

Habitat for Humanity International, Inc. (Habitat) will receive a Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program grant award in the amount of $1,000,000. Located in Americus, Georgia, Habitat is a private, non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization that has helped affiliates build and rehabilitate more than 175,000 affordable homeownership housing units in partnership with low-income people in the United States since 1976. Habitat’s mission is carried out locally throughout the nation by approximately 1,290 subordinate homeownership housing organizations (affiliates) that operate within a specific geographic service area in Habitat’s service area. In 2013, Habitat established a veterans department to provide a greater focus on assisting low-income veterans through new homes, rehabilitation or repairs. Funding from this grant will be used by affiliates to modify and repair homes for 120 eligible veterans with an average grant amount of $7,500.

Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program (VHRMP)
Fiscal Year 2019 Awards

This is a press release from the US Department of Veterans Affairs.