[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50562-50563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20728]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: VA announces that the aggregate amounts of assistance 
available under the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant program will 
increase by 5.51 percent for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.

DATES: The increases in aggregate amounts are effective October 1, 
2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Latona, Chief, Specially Adapted 
Housing, Loan Guaranty Service (262C), Veterans Benefits 
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-9201. (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 2020 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

[[Page 50563]]

Turner Building Cost Index for this purpose.
    In the most recent quarter for which the Turner Building Cost Index 
is available, 2nd Quarter 2019, the index showed an increase of 5.51 
percent over the index value listed by 2nd Quarter 2018. Turner 
Construction Company, Cost Index, http://www.turnerconstruction.com/cost-index (last visited Aug. 7, 2019). 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 5.51 percent 
for FY 2020.
    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 
5.51 percent for FY 2020.
    The increases are effective as of October 1, 2019. 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 2020

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

    Effective October 1, 2019, the aggregate amount of assistance 
available for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) will be 
$90,364 during FY 2020. The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who 
satisfies the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) and 2102A 
will be $39,669 during FY 2020.

Section 2101(b) Grants and TRA Grants

    Effective as of October 1, 2019, the aggregate amount of assistance 
available for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) will be 
$18,074 during FY 2020. The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who 
satisfies the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) and 2102A 
will be $7,083 during FY 2020.

Section 2102B Grants

    Effective as of October 1, 2019, the amount of assistance available 
for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2102B will be $90,364 during 
FY 2020; 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 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. Pamela Powers, 
Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document 
on September 17, 2019, for publication.

    Dated: September 19, 2019.
Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2019-20728 Filed 9-24-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P