Accessibility Modifications

Program Description:

Virginia Housing’s Accessibility Grant Program makes funding available to assist with modifications to housing units to make them accessible for persons with disabilities. The modifications made to the home must relate to the occupant’s functional use of the home. Typical modifications include, but are not limited to:

• Installation of ramps and chairlifts 
• Widening of doorways and sidewalks 
• Remote entry devices
• Alterations to bathrooms (tub cuts, grab bars, toilets, faucets, etc.) and kitchens

Applicants with modifications exceeding the maximum grant amount will need to find additional sources of funds to supplement the project cost (e.g. funds from local civic organizations, personal or family funds, or other government funded programs).  Applications are ONLY accepted from approved Agents on behalf of the applicant.  The home requiring modifications must be the primary principal residence of the individual with a disability.

The Accessibility Grant Program consists of three grant programs:

1. Granting Freedom – makes funding available to assist with modifications to owner-occupied homes or rental units in Virginia to make them accessible for Virginia servicemembers and veterans who sustained a line-of-duty injury resulting in a service-connected disability.
2. Rental Unit Modification – makes funding available to assist with modifications to rental units to make them accessible for a specific tenant. The modifications made to the rental unit must make the unit accessible to the tenant.
3. Owner-Occupied Modification – makes funding available to assist with modifications to homes to make them accessible to, primarily elderly, owners with disabilities. The modification must directly address barriers created by the disability.

Eligibility Guidelines

The grant provides funds on a first come/first served basis, for a maximum of $8,000. Funds can be used for modifications needed to make the unit accessible for a person who is disabled.

Restrictions

• Applicants are limited to one grant every five years unless the applicant moves to a new location which requires modification or if the modification was damaged due to natural causes (weather).
• Funds may not be used to cover modification expenses previously covered by another funding source.
• Applicants living in units with shared common areas must have an individual lease to be considered as an individual household.
• Contractors receiving funds pursuant to this grant may in no way have an existing relationship (current employment, contractual or voluntary) with the organization during the term of this grant.
• The Accessibility Grant program is intended to modify the home to make it more accessible to persons with disabilities. These grants are not intended for short term needs. 

Application Requirements

To apply for an Accessibility Grant, the Agent must complete an application and provide all requested documentation. Required documentation includes:

• Written documentation for additional funding from other sources.
• Contractor Documents
• Digital photos of the specified work area(s)
• Documentation of all income for all members of the household (For Rental Unit Modification or Owner-Occupied Modification)
• Rental Lease Agreement or documentation of ownership of the home
• US Department of Veteran Affairs Notification, Award or Rating Letter citing service-connected disability, or b. MEB/PEB documentation citing service-connected disability (For Granting Freedom)