Veterans Housing Assistance

Veterans and active-duty servicemembers have access to some of the most generous housing programs in the federal government, administered through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and HUD. These aren't the "register today to claim your veteran housing grant" scams that target this audience — they're real programs with specific eligibility you can verify directly with the VA.

VA Home Loan Guaranty

The VA Home Loan program is the flagship VA housing benefit:

• 0% down payment in most cases
• No private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirement
• Competitive interest rates typically lower than conventional loans
• Available to eligible veterans, active-duty servicemembers, National Guard, Reservists, and certain surviving spouses

You apply through a VA-approved lender after obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — request one at va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/how-to-apply or through your lender.

HUD-VASH — for veterans experiencing homelessness

The HUD-VASH program combines a HUD Housing Choice Voucher with VA case management and supportive services for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. To access HUD-VASH, contact your nearest VA Medical Center or call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7).

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grants

For service-connected disabilities, the VA provides actual cash grants for housing modifications:

• Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant — up to $126,526 in fiscal year 2026 to buy, build, or modify a home for veterans with certain serious service-connected disabilities (loss of use of both legs, severe burn injuries, etc.)
• Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant — up to $25,350 in FY2026 for adapting an existing home (yours or a family member's) for certain disabilities including blindness and loss of use of both hands

Amounts adjust annually with construction costs; current figures are at va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants.

Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant

If you have a qualifying disability but are living temporarily in a family member's home, the TRA Grant can pay for adaptations to that home — up to $50,961 (for SAH-eligible veterans) or $9,100 (for SHA-eligible veterans) in FY2026.

Other VA housing-related help

• VA refinancing: IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan) and Cash-Out Refinance
• Native American Direct Loan (NADL) — for eligible Native American veterans buying on federal trust land
• Property tax exemptions — most states offer partial or full exemptions for disabled veterans; check your state veterans affairs office

How to get help

• VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000
• National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• VA.gov housing benefits — the authoritative source for current program details

All VA benefits are free to apply for. Anyone charging veterans a fee to "access" their benefits is running a scam.