VA Housing Grants Can Help Eastern NC Veterans Age in Place

Most veterans do not know the VA offers housing modification grants worth tens of thousands of dollars. Here is what eastern North Carolina veterans and their families need to know about funding home modifications that support independence and safety.

If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran in eastern North Carolina, there is a good chance you are leaving money on the table. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers several housing grant programs designed to help veterans modify their homes for accessibility and independent living. These grants do not require repayment, and the funding amounts are substantial. Yet according to an AARP survey, the majority of eligible veterans have no idea these programs exist.

At Plank Construction, we hold CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) certification and work with veterans and their families throughout eastern North Carolina. We have seen firsthand how the right home modifications can allow a veteran to remain safely in their home for years longer than they otherwise would. We have also seen families struggle to afford those modifications when grant funding could have covered most or all of the cost. This post is designed to change that by walking you through what is available and how to get started.

The VA Offers More Than Most People Realize

The VA operates several distinct grant programs, each targeting different levels of need and different types of disabilities. Understanding which program fits your situation is the first step toward funding your home modifications.

The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant is the largest program available. For fiscal year 2026, eligible veterans can receive up to $126,526. This grant is designed for veterans with severe, permanent, service connected disabilities such as the loss of use of limbs or blindness in both eyes. The funding can be used to build a new adapted home, modify an existing home, or purchase a home that has already been adapted. What many veterans do not realize is that SAH grants can be used up to six separate times over a lifetime, as long as the total does not exceed the maximum amount. That means you can address your most pressing needs now and return for additional modifications later as your situation changes.

The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant serves veterans with less severe but still significant service connected disabilities. The FY 2026 maximum is $25,350. While the amount is smaller, it can cover meaningful modifications like ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathroom renovations, and other changes that make daily living safer and more manageable.

For veterans who are temporarily living with a family member, the Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant provides funding to modify that family member's home. SAH eligible veterans can receive up to $50,961 through TRA, while SHA eligible veterans can receive up to $9,100. This is a particularly valuable option for multigenerational households here in eastern North Carolina, where it is common for aging veterans to move in with adult children while longer term housing plans take shape.

Finally, the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant is worth knowing about because it is available even to veterans whose disabilities are not service connected. Veterans with service connected conditions can receive up to $6,800 in lifetime benefits, while those with non service connected disabilities enrolled in VA healthcare can receive up to $2,000. The HISA grant covers modifications like grab bars, accessible showers, stair lifts, and other practical improvements that reduce fall risk and support daily independence.

What These Grants Actually Pay For

The types of modifications covered by VA housing grants align closely with what aging in place specialists recommend for safe, independent living. Roll in showers and curbless shower conversions are among the most common projects, along with grab bar installation throughout bathrooms and hallways. Widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers is another frequent modification, as is installing wheelchair ramps at entrances.

Kitchen modifications such as lowered countertops and accessible cabinetry help veterans maintain independence in meal preparation. Flooring replacements that eliminate trip hazards and improve wheelchair mobility are also covered. For veterans with more extensive needs, grants can fund the construction of first floor bedroom and bathroom additions, elevator or stair lift installation, and comprehensive home redesigns that create barrier free living environments throughout the home.

In eastern North Carolina specifically, these modifications often need to account for our region's housing stock. Many homes in Pitt, Craven, Lenoir, and surrounding counties were built without accessibility in mind. Single story ranch homes are common and tend to be easier to adapt, but older homes may need updated electrical and plumbing systems to support the modifications. A contractor with experience in both aging in place design and local building conditions can help you get the most value from your grant funding.

How the Process Works

Applying for a VA housing grant starts with determining your eligibility. Your disability rating and the nature of your service connected condition will determine which programs you qualify for. The VA website at va.gov allows you to apply online, or you can submit VA Form 26-4555 by mail or in person at a VA regional office.

Once your eligibility is confirmed, the VA assigns you a Specially Adapted Housing agent. This person becomes your guide through the entire process. They will visit your home to assess what modifications are needed, review construction plans and bids from your contractor, and manage the flow of grant funds throughout the project. It is important to understand that you should not begin any construction until you receive final approval from the VA, or the costs may not be covered.

Your contractor plays a critical role in this process. The VA requires detailed plans and cost estimates before approving grant funding, and the modifications must meet specific accessibility standards. Working with a contractor who understands VA requirements, who communicates directly with your SAH agent, and who has experience with aging in place construction will make the process significantly smoother.

From application to project completion, the timeline typically runs 60 to 90 days for the approval process, with construction timelines varying based on the scope of work. Planning ahead and having your documentation organized from the start will help avoid delays.

Why This Matters for Eastern North Carolina

Eastern North Carolina has a significant veteran population, particularly in communities near Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Jacksonville, Havelock, New Bern, and the surrounding areas are home to thousands of veterans and military retirees, many of whom are reaching the age where home accessibility becomes a pressing concern.

Beyond the military corridor, veterans throughout the region in Greenville, Kinston, Washington, and smaller rural communities often face the same challenge. They want to remain in their homes and their communities, but the physical layout of those homes no longer serves them well. A bathroom that requires stepping over a tub ledge, a front entrance with steps and no railing, or a bedroom on the second floor of a home where stairs are becoming difficult are all problems that VA housing grants are specifically designed to address.

The cost of not making these modifications is often much higher than the modifications themselves. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, and for veterans dealing with mobility limitations, the risk is even greater. A single fall can result in hospitalization, loss of independence, and a move to assisted living that could have been prevented with relatively straightforward home adaptations.

Getting Started

If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran considering home modifications, start by checking eligibility through the VA website or by contacting your local VA regional office. Gather your military service documentation, medical records related to your disability, and any information about your current housing situation. If you have a general idea of what modifications you need, having that list ready will help your SAH agent move more quickly through the assessment process.

It is also worth reaching out to local veterans service organizations like the VFW, American Legion, or Disabled American Veterans. These organizations have accredited representatives who can help you navigate the application process at no cost, and they often achieve higher approval rates than veterans who apply on their own.

At Plank Construction, we are here to help with the construction side of the equation. Our CAPS certification means we understand not just how to build accessible spaces, but how to design modifications that anticipate future needs and maximize the value of your grant funding. We work directly with VA agents throughout the approval and construction process, and we are familiar with the accessibility standards the VA requires.

If you or someone in your family is a veteran in eastern North Carolina exploring home modifications, contact Plank Construction for a consultation. We will help you understand what is possible, what it will cost, and how to make the most of the funding available to you.

Plank Construction is a CAPS certified general contractor specializing in aging in place modifications, ADU construction, and in law suites throughout eastern North Carolina. We work with veterans and their families to create safe, accessible living spaces that support long term independence. Contact us today to discuss your project. Visit our blog, Plank Posts, at plank-construction.com/plankposts for more information on ADU development, aging in place design, and multigenerational housing solutions.