When the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) approves a grant for Specially Adapted Housing (SAH), A Guide for Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation Projects is the document that has the Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) that must be met when a home modification or renovation is completed using SAH funding.

MPRs are absolute conditions specified under governing law for the SAH grant. Title 38, US Code, Chapter 21 and 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 36.4401 through 36.4410, mandates that any housing unit acquired, constructed, or remodeled using proceeds from the SAH grant program must:

• comply with the MPRs, and

• include features necessary to accommodate the Veteran’s disabilities.

The second item above requires the contractor to be knowledgeable of what features are necessary to accommodate the Veteran’s disabilities.

To increase flexibility in the program requirements and focus on the areas that are deemed most critical, VA has established MPRs for three areas:

• points of ingress and egress

• primary bathroom, and

• primary bedroom/sleeping area

Veterans who receive a SAH grant, and the architects and contractors who design and install home renovations or modifications using SAH grant proceeds, must be aware of the requirements in the MPRs.

Also, when a home is renovated or modified by a licensed contractor, there is usually a contract signed by the contractor and the home owner, in this case a Veteran who qualified for the SAH grant. That contract should have specific statements describing what the contractor will or will not do in the renovation or modification.

The contract is the legal agreement between the Veteran and the builder. Although the contract is negotiated between the Veteran and builder, VA does have certain requirements that must be included in the contract, and the final signed version of the plans and specifications for the project must be approved by VA.

SUMMARY: Any housing unit acquired, constructed, or remodeled using proceeds from the SAH grant program must: 1. comply with the MPRs, and 2. include features necessary to accommodate the Veteran’s disabilities. The home renovation or modification completed using SAH grant funding must comply with the MPRs and the contract signed for the project.

If you are a Veteran who has received a SAH grant and you have questions regarding the work completed on a home renovation or modification using those SAH funds, please call Richard Acree at 615-752-0060.

Thank you.

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A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) can help with the design and installation of aging in place home modifications. These home modifications can be to repair, improve, or modernize homes or to remove health and safety hazards. Richard Acree is a CAPS consultant with many years of experience as a home inspector and accessibility inspector. For more information about aging in place services please see Residential Accessibility.

Please call Richard Acree at 615-752-0060 to discuss your needs for aging in place home modifications.

Thank you.