[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 239 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64177-64178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27025]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Loan Guaranty: Assistance to Eligible Individuals in Acquiring 
Specially Adapted Housing; Cost-of-Construction Index

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces that the 
aggregate amounts of assistance available under the Specially Adapted 
Housing (SAH) grant program will increase by 5.63 percent for Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2019.

DATES: The increases in aggregate amounts are effective on October 1, 
2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Nelms, Assistant Director for 
Loan Policy and Valuation, Loan Guaranty Service (26), Veterans 
Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 632-8978. (This is not a toll-
free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 38 United States Code 
(U.S.C.) 2102(e), 38 U.S.C. 2102A(b)(2), 38 U.S.C. 2102B(b)(2), and 38 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 36.4411, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs announces for FY 2019 the aggregate amounts of assistance 
available to veterans and servicemembers eligible for SAH program 
grants.
    Section 2102(e)(2) authorizes the Secretary to increase the 
aggregate amounts of SAH assistance annually based on a residential 
home cost-of-construction index. Per 38 CFR 36.4411(a), the Secretary 
uses the Turner Building Cost Index for this purpose.
    In the most recent quarter for which the Turner Building Cost Index 
is available, 2nd Quarter 2018, the index showed an increase of 5.63 
percent over the index value listed by 2nd Quarter 2017. Turner 
Construction Company, Cost Index, http://www.turnerconstruction.com/cost-index (last visited October 2, 2018). Pursuant to 38 CFR 
36.4411(a), therefore, the aggregate amounts of assistance for SAH 
grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) and 2101(b) will increase by 
5.63 percent for FY 2019.

[[Page 64178]]

    Sections 2102A(b)(2) and 2102B(b)(2) require the Secretary to apply 
the same percentage calculated pursuant to section 2102(e) to grants 
authorized pursuant to sections 2102A and 2102B. As such, the maximum 
amount of assistance available under these grants will also increase by 
5.63 percent for FY 2019.
    The increases are effective as of October 1, 2018. 38 U.S.C. 
2102(e), 2102A(b)(2), and 38 U.S.C. 2102B(b)(2).

Specially Adapted Housing: Aggregate Amounts of Assistance Available 
During Fiscal Year 2019

Section 2101(a) Grants and Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grants

    Effective October 1, 2018, the aggregate amount of assistance 
available for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) will be 
$85,645 during FY 2019. The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who 
satisfies the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) and 2102A 
will be $37,597 during FY 2019.

Section 2101(b) Grants and TRA Grants

    Effective as of October 1, 2018, the aggregate amount of assistance 
available for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) will be 
$17,130 during FY 2019. The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who 
satisfies the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) and 2102A 
will be $6,713 during FY 2019.

Section 2102B Grants

    Effective as of October 1, 2018, the amount of assistance available 
for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2102B will be $85,645 during 
FY 2019; however, the Secretary may waive this limitation for a veteran 
if the Secretary determines a waiver is necessary for the 
rehabilitation program of the veteran.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved 
this document on December 4, 2018 for publication.

    Dated: December 4, 2018.
Luvenia Potts,
Program Specialist, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2018-27025 Filed 12-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P