Telegram - Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced $3.9 million in funding through the Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program (VHRMP) to help make homes more accessible for disabled veterans. Through the VHRMP program, grantees will make necessary physical modifications to address the needs of eligible veterans, including wheelchair ramps, widening doors, reconfiguring bathrooms, and modifying homes to accommodate a veteran's caregiver.

"It's our duty to ensure our veterans, who gave everything in service to our country, have a safe and decent place to call home," said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. "These grants announced today will give veterans living with disabilities the modifications they need to live on their own and regain their independence."

"We stand by those who have served and are proud to have these funds make housing more accessible for low-income and disable veterans," said John Gibbs, Acting Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, which administers the program at HUD.

The purpose of this program is to assist our nation's low-income veterans living with disabilities who need adaptive housing to help them regain or maintain their independence. By partnering with the VA, HUD is addressing these challenges by awarding competitive grants to organizations that primarily serve veterans and low-income people. The following applicants are receiving funding:

Michigan

Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, located in Lansing, Michigan, will receive a VHRMP grant award in the amount of $1,000,000. The organization's match for this project is $1,022,055. In addition, $902,500 will be leveraged. The Habitat Affiliate Support Organization, incorporated in 1993 as a non-profit, provides education, technical assistance, and financial resources to Habitat affiliate offices statewide. The organization will work with 77 low-income and disabled veterans to make necessary critical interior and exterior housing modifications, rehabilitation, and repairs over the three-year project period. The types of rehab and modifications that are needed will vary by individual household situations and will include accessibility modifications to enable long-term aging in place, as well as critical home repairs required to ensure health, safety, energy efficiency and affordability.