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.
Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program (VHRMP) Fiscal Year 2019 Awards
District of Columbia
Housing Assistance Council (HAC) will receive a Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program grant award in the amount of $824,020. HAC is located in Washington, DC. With nearly 50 years as a change agent and voice for rural America, HAC is a national nonprofit leader on rural veteran housing. HAC will use grant funding to serve 60 low-income, disabled and aging veterans in rural, high-need, economically distressed areas through two rural locally-based nonprofit housing agencies. To identify veterans who are not otherwise eligible for assistance through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or other similar veteran service agencies, HAC and its nonprofit partners will work directly with both regional and community-based VA benefit offices and clinics to identify and receive referrals. HAC and its partners will advertise its program via social media, public service announcements, and in-place marketing through the American Red Cross, American Legion, DAV, USWV, VFW, Veterans Assistance Offices, State National Guard Offices, and other veteran associations.
Georgia
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.
Louisiana
St. Bernard Project (SBP) will receive a Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program grant award in the amount of $1,000,000. SBP is in New Orleans, Louisiana. SBP has grown into a nationally recognized leader in disaster resilience and recovery and has rebuilt more than 1,000 homes for low-to-moderate income families and veterans. SPB will use the grant award to rebuild, repair, and/or modification of 54 homes for veterans in Louisiana (New Orleans and Baton Rouge), Texas (Houston and Brazoria County), Puerto Rico, Florida (Panama City), South Carolina (Columbia), New York, and New Jersey (Monmouth and Ocean County).
New Mexico
New Mexico Affordable Housing Charitable Trust will receive a Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program grant award in the amount of $1,000,000. The Trust is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In partnership with the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, the Trust will implement HOME4Vets to rehabilitate and/or modify an estimated 80 primary residences for eligible veteran homeowners.
Texas
Volunteers of America, Inc. (VOATX) will receive a Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program grant award in the amount of $1,000,000. Located in Euless, Texas, the organization has a long history of working with low-income veterans through its Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF), and Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) to support self-sufficiency through housing, employment and connection to supportive services. VOATX will serve 75 low-income, disabled veterans with adaptive home improvement to increase safety, reduce utility costs, increase home accessibility, mobility, and functionality that will elevate and extend independent living.