[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78097-78098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24984]


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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 have increased by 6.39% for fiscal year 
(FY) 2024.

DATES: The increases in the aggregate amounts outlined in this notice 
were effective as of October 1, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Rouch, Assistant Director for 
Loan Policy and Valuation, Loan Guaranty Service, 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: 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 2024 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. The Secretary uses the Turner Building 
Cost Index for this purpose. See 38 CFR 36.4411(a). Such increase will 
be equal to the percentage by which the Turner Building Cost Index for 
the most recent calendar year exceeds that of the next preceding 
calendar year. If, however, the Turner Building Cost Index for the most 
recent full calendar year is equal to or less than the next preceding 
calendar year, the percentage increase will be zero. See 38 CFR 
36.4411(b).
    In the most recent quarter for which the Turner Building Cost Index 
is available, second quarter 2023, the index showed an increase of 
6.39% over the index value listed for second quarter 2022. Turner 
Construction Company, https://www.turnerconstruction.com/cost-index 
(last visited August 1, 2023). 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) have increased by 6.39% for 
FY 2024. VA measures the calendar year from the end of the second 
quarter of the preceding year to the end of the second quarter of the 
current year for the purpose of adjusting SAH grant amounts. This 
calendar year period provides more up-to-date cost of construction 
information for a possible adjustment effective October 1 when compared 
to a January-through-December period, which would result in a 10-month 
delay in implementation.
    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 has also increased by 
6.39% for FY 2024.
    The increases were effective as of October 1, 2023 (38 U.S.C. 
2102(e), 38 U.S.C. 2102A(b)(2) and 38 U.S.C. 2102B(b)(2)).

SAH: Aggregate Amounts of Assistance Available During Fiscal Year 2024

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

    Effective October 1, 2023, the aggregate amount of assistance 
available for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) is $117,014 
during FY 2024. The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who 
satisfies the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) and 2102A is 
$47,130 during FY 2024.

[[Page 78098]]

Section 2101(b) Grants and TRA Grants

    Effective as of October 1, 2023, the aggregate amount of assistance 
available for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) is $23,444 
during FY 2024. The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who 
satisfies the eligibility Criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) and 2102A is 
$8,415 during FY 2024.

Section 2102B Grants

    Effective October 1, 2023, the amount of assistance available for 
grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2102B is $107,357 during FY 2024; 
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
    Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, signed and approved 
this document on November 7, 2023, 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.

Luvenia Potts,
Regulation Development Coordinator, Office of Regulation Policy & 
Management, Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2023-24984 Filed 11-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P