[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 216 (Friday, November 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 71139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24745]


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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; withdrawal and reissuance.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a document 
in the Federal Register of October 22, 2020, concerning increases in 
aggregate amounts for Specially Adapted Housing grants. This notice 
withdraws the October 22, 2020, notice in its entirety and reissues the 
notice to include additional explanatory information and correct the 
aggregate amounts for Temporary Residence Adaptation grants and grants 
authorized in connection with rehabilitation programs.

DATES: The increases in aggregate amounts are effective October 1, 
2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Rouch, 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) 632-8862. (This is not a toll-
free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VA is withdrawing the notice VA published in 
the Federal Register of October 22, 2020, FR Doc. No. 2020-23381, on 
pages 67425-67426, and is reissuing the notice in its entirety.
    In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 2102(e), 38 U.S.C. 2102A(b)(2), 38 
U.S.C. 2102B(b)(2), and 38 CFR 36.4411, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs announces for FY 2021 the aggregate amounts of assistance 
available to veterans and service members 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 2020, the index showed an increase of 2.44 
percent over the index value listed for 2nd Quarter 2019. Turner 
Construction Company--Cost Index, http://www.turnerconstruction.com/cost-index (last visited August 7, 2020). 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 
2.44 percent for FY 2021.
    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 
2.44 percent for FY 2021.
    The increases are effective as of October 1, 2020. 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 2021

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

    The Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing 
Improvement Act of 2019 (the Act) increased the aggregate amount of SAH 
assistance to be provided under section 2101(a). Public Law 116-154, 
134 Stat. 690, 691 (2020). The increase was made effective October 1, 
2020. Thus, for section 2101(a) grants, VA is applying the 2.44 percent 
increase to the new amount provided under the Act, $98,492. Effective 
October 1, 2020, the aggregate amount of assistance available for SAH 
grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) will be $100,896 during FY 
2021.
    The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who satisfies the 
eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) and 2102A will be $40,637 
during FY 2021.

Section 2101(b) Grants and TRA Grants

    The Act also increased the aggregate amount of assistance to be 
provided under section 2101(b). Public Law 116-154, 134 Stat. 690, 691 
(2020). The increase was made effective October 1, 2020. Thus, for 
section 2101(b) grants, VA is applying the 2.44 percent increase to the 
new amount provided under the Act, $19,733. Effective as of October 1, 
2020, the aggregate amount of assistance available for SAH grants made 
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) will be $20,215 during FY 2021.
    The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who satisfies the 
eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) and 2102A will be $7,256 
during FY 2021.

Section 2102B Grants

    Effective as of October 1, 2020, the amount of assistance available 
for grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2102B will be $92,569 during FY 
2021; 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. Brooks D. 
Tucker, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs, 
Performing the Delegable Duties of the Chief of Staff, Department of 
Veterans Affairs, approved this document on October 15, 2020, for 
publication.

Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-24745 Filed 11-5-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P