Helen Johnson

I, Like the owners of Home for Heroes and millions of others, was horrified at 911 and the unnecessary loss of life, especially the firefighters and police officers just trying to do there jobs under one of the worst disasters in our nation’s history. Myself, like so many others, asked “What can I do to help?”. Well, over the years, I feel I made small contributions to the heroes by buying tickets to donations, raffles and of course giving to firemen when they have their booth out at a intersection. Now, with Homes for Heroes, I can make big contributions.

Homes For Heroes would like to share this special information to injured veterans: Veterans who experience injury and/or disability may have a difficult time accommodating their disability to their home. Veterans with limb injuries may struggle with stairs, hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. Vets with brain injuries or vision problems may have trouble navigating their existing home. Whether you are a disabled veterans or a disabled vet’s family member, understanding how to handle housing adaptations and veteran status is important for your quality of life. The VA offers the Specially Adapted Housing Grant program for disabled veterans. Unlike traditional VA home loans, the Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH Grant) program is available only to disabled vets, and typically only those with service-related injuries. Because veterans often come home to homes that formerly were easy to navigate but pose difficulty after injury, helping vets to accommodate is an important part of post-service life. Navigating a poorly-adapted home is a challenge for anyone who is disabled. This is why the VA developed this home improvement grant program-to help make vets’ homes affordable and livable. The maximum grant available is $60,000. The veteran’s home must be suitable for housing a disabled vet, and must be financially affordable, after the grant improvements, for the veteran. The grant can be used within the United States and, in some cases, outside of the United States if the veteran does not live in the U.S. Veterans can apply for and receive the Specially Adapted Housing grant up to three times, but can not use more than the maximum grant. If the maximum increases over time, the vet can apply for a grant that is the difference between the former ceiling and the new grant ceiling, but cannot apply for more than three times for the grant. In addition, special loans are available to cover any home improvement costs not covered by the grant. To qualify for the SAH grant, veterans must: 1. Fill out form 26-4555 to apply for the SAH grant program. 2. Submit this form to your nearest VA regional loan center. The grant is NOT a loan, but the same agency within the VA handles these SAH grants. You may be asked to provide proof of service as part of the application; be prepared with this paperwork. Examples of home improvement projects covered under the Specially Adapted Housing grant program include adding ramps to a home, lowering counter tops, widening doorways and hallways, and making adjustments so that veterans can be more independent and mobile in their own home. To view pictures of projects completed under the Specially Adapted Housing grant program, watch the video detailing the program, or to learn more, visit this site. http://www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm

Our Homes for Heroes Realtor and Lender affiliates in Texas are enjoying a great market.

The Homes For Heroes staff found this awesome video to share with you. Check out these Army members’ amazing parachuting skills! Something to be proud of.