Nearly one in five military veterans has a disability, which can have a long-term impact on their lives. There are a few ways that a disability can affect buying a home. For example, a person with a disability may have difficulty getting a mortgage loan approved due to their limited income. Additionally, a person with a mobility impairment may have specific accessibility needs to be met in a home, such as wider doorways, ramp access, a chair lift, and grab bars in the bathroom.
Some government programs and non-profits may offer financial assistance for individuals with disabilities to help purchase a home or make accessibility modifications. Your Pensacola military real estate agent can help you navigate your options. They can also help you find homes that meet your accessibility needs and work with you to find a solution that fits your budget and requirements.
Financial Assistance Programs for Disabled Veterans
A wide range of financial assistance programs are available to assist people with disabilities in buying a home. Some examples include:
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)offers the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance program, which funds non-profit organizations to develop and operate housing for people with disabilities.
- The Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grantand a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant to veterans with certain service-connected disabilities to help with the cost of adapting a home to meet their accessibility needs.
- The Federal Housing Association (FHA) offers the Homeowners Armed with Knowledge (HAWK)program, which helps first-time homebuyers, including those with disabilities, with down payment and closing cost assistance.
- Various states also have programs that offer financial assistance for people with disabilities looking to buy a home. You can check with your state housing finance agency for more information.
Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit organization, also builds homes for people with disabilities.
It’s important to note that these programs may have different eligibility requirements, funding limits, and application procedures. Research the specific program you are interested in and contact the organization directly.
Understand Your Rights
Buying a home with a disability can be difficult, but it is doable with the proper support and resources. Individuals with disabilities should research and understand the various financial assistance programs available to find the best options for achieving homeownership.
Accessibility features such as wheelchair ramps, wider doorways, and roll-in showers should be considered when looking for a home to meet the specific needs of the individual with a disability. The location is also important, as it should be close to public transportation and services for easy accessibility.
Working with experienced professionals such as real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and disability advocates can aid in the home-buying process. These individuals understand the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and can provide guidance and support in navigating the buying process.
While the journey of buying a home with a disability may be more complicated, the benefits of homeownership are worth the effort. With the right help and resources, people with disabilities can enjoy and feel safe in their own homes.
Tonya Towles is Expansion Network Owner at PCS Pro. PCS Pro comprises military spouses and veterans passionate about helping fellow military families and service members find their next home. With their expertise, you will have endless resources with all the permanent change of station military information you could ever need. Having done it themselves, their Pensacola Military Real Estate Agents are familiar with the entire PCS military process and strive to help their clients navigate it with as little stress as possible.
0
