VHDA’s
GRANTING FREEDOM PROGRAM HELPS MODIFY HOMES FOR DISABLED VETERANS
The Virginia
Housing Development Authority has initiated a new program to assist
Virginia’s servicemen and women – Granting Freedom.
The program
makes grants up to $4,000 available to veterans who were injured during
combat and need some type of housing modification as a result. The grants
are available to pay for modification work on Virginia homes or apartments
to make them accessible.
“VHDA, in conjunction
with the Department of Housing and Community Development and Community
Housing Partners, currently has more than $1 million in grant funds
available to help veterans pay for modifications to their houses and
apartments,” said Ann Bolen, VHDA Special Funding Officer. “I encourage
anyone to contact us if they know any veterans who may qualify for this
grant program.”
Granting Freedom helps fill a gap
in existing services. Currently, disabled veterans receive federal
assistance in modifying a home they own, but this assistance has not been
available until now for rental housing.
If property is rented,
landlord approval is required.
Grants are available for accessibility improvements,
including widened doorways, lower counters, wheelchair ramps, grab bars,
Tubcuts®, visual smoke detectors and other modifications.
A recommendation for the
housing modification is required from a VA Hospital Rehabilitation
Officer, VA attending physician or VA physical therapist.
Once approved for a grant, veterans will have 120 days to
have the modification work completed and inspected. Once the modification
is made and inspected, VHDA will mail a check to the contractor within 10
days.
Wachovia was the first private company to contribute to
the Granting Freedom program.
For more information about Granting Freedom,
call VHDA toll-free at 1-877-VHDA-123, e-mail
julia.perkinson@vhda.com or visit
www.vhda.com/freedom.
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