1. VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grants

For qualifying veterans with disabilities the financial amounts can be substantial, often reaching tens of thousands depending on eligibility. These funds are intended to cover major modifications, such as:

• Ramps
• Door widening
• Bathroom remodels
• Accessible kitchens
• Sidewalks/driveways

2. VA Home Improvements & Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant

The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant is available to veterans and servicemembers with a service-connected disability requiring modifications to their primary residence. The lifetime benefit amounts are up to $6,800 for those with service-connected disabilities and up to $2,000 for those with non-service-connected disabilities or a service-connected disability rated under 50%.

To qualify, a prescription from a VA physician is required to medically justify the necessary home improvements.

• Accessibility repairs
• Adaptive bathrooms
• Entrance modifications

3. USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants

This program assists low-income rural homeowners who cannot secure affordable credit elsewhere. It's available to those in eligible rural areas whose household income meets the USDA's very-low-income limits for the area.

Funds can be offered as a loan for a wider variety of repairs or as a grant specifically for health and safety hazards. To qualify for a grant, applicants must be 62 years or older and use the funds to address these health and safety concerns. Check out more on the USDA website.

These loans and grants can help cover:

• Repairs
• Safety upgrades
• Accessibility modifications

4. Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are Medicaid-funded programs that help individuals live in their homes or communities rather than in institutions. Many (but not all) states offer these programs. While the assistance depends on the state, it can be significant.

To qualify, homeowners must first be eligible for Medicaid and then meet specific state-defined criteria. These requirements often involve needing a level of care similar to that provided in a nursing home and having a documented personal plan of care.

These funds help cover:

• Grab bars
• Ramps
• Bathroom modifications
• Safety features
• Technology equipment
• Widening entries

Many states offer financial assistance, but it may require some digging to find them. States like California, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, and Massachusetts have standout programs.

Look for:

• Accessibility grants
• No-interest loans
• Forgivable loans
• Tax credits
• Emergency accessibility repair assistance
• Assistive technology funding

Be sure to check out these resources as well:

Rebuilding Together

Offers free or low-cost accessibility remodels for qualifying homeowners.

Habitat for Humanity Repair Programs

Some local chapters help with accessibility modifications.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

Many AAAs cover accessibility upgrades such as:

• Grab bars
• Raised toilets
• Ramps
• Home safety improvements

Center for Independent Living (CIL) Programs

Provide both funding and installation help.

Assistive Technology (AT) Programs

Every state has an AT program offering:

• Equipment loans
• Low-cost devices
• Accessible tech
• Home modification guidance

HUD Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP)

Grants (often up to around $5,000 per household via local partners) to help seniors age in place with home modifications. There are often city and state versions of this as well.

Homeowners may also qualify for financing secured by their home, often in the form of a second mortgage. These typically allow for much longer repayment periods, often 10 to 20 years, for lower, more manageable monthly payments. This extended term makes large-scale home modification projects financially viable without overburdening the homeowner's budget. An additional potential benefit is that the interest paid on this financing may be tax-deductible (though consulting a tax professional is advised).

Options to explore:

• FHA 203(k) Rehab Loans — Allows accessibility upgrades to be rolled into a home purchase mortgage.
• Home Equity Lines or Loans — Useful for buyers purchasing homes that need extensive renovations, though often not needed when grants are available.

The fact is, there are a lot of options and resources for accessibility modifications – so they don’t have to bankrupt you.

Between federal, state, nonprofit, and loan programs, many buyers pay far less than expected, and sometimes nothing at all. The key is thorough research and combining multiple options, ensuring that essential accessibility upgrades are attainable and affordable for virtually everyone who needs them.