June 16, 2023

Ranking Member Takano Recognizes 75th Anniversary of Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program

Press Contact

Libby Carlson

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano issued the below statement in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant program. The grant program was established in 1948 by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide support to paraplegic veterans returning home from war, in adapting their homes to meet their unique needs.  

The Ranking Member said, “As we mark the 75th anniversary of the Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH) grant program, it's important to recognize the grants' success stories. Kenneth Laurent was a World War II Navy veteran who was diagnosed with a large spinal cord tumor. As a result of that tumor, he was left paralyzed from the waist down at just 27 years old.” 

“Ken was then classified as a disabled veteran. After spending months living in a hospital, his wife Phyllis decided to change the course of their life and write to the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Thanks to the SAH grant and Mr. Wright for agreeing, they were able to design a wheelchair-friendly home that allowed him to focus on his abilities rather than his disabilities.” 

“As Americans, we owe it to veterans and their families to pay for the cost of war. We did that 75 years ago with the SAH grant program and we did it last year with my bill, the Honoring our PACT Act. This bipartisan law ensures that a connection is made between toxic exposure and certain cancers and illnesses so veterans can get the healthcare they need. If we are going to send men and women off to war, we better be ready to pay for ALL the costs associated with it. I will continue to find ways to support veterans and their families when they come home."

Today, the SAH Grant program provides grants to over 2,000 veterans and servicemembers each year with up to $109,986 to buy, build or change their homes to meet their needs. 

Beginning on Monday, June 19th, Committee Democrats will be releasing a series of videos in honor of the 75th anniversary.