Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Home Accessibility for Disabled Veterans

U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced the bipartisan Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act, which would help disabled veterans and their families make accessibility and safety improvements to their homes. Specifically, this bipartisan bill would help disabled veterans build accessible bathrooms, widen their doors, and install wheelchair ramps, grab bars and handrails in their homes.

The Department of Veteran Affairs’ Home Improvements and Structural Alterations program offers funds to help eligible disabled veterans with service-related medical issues make alterations to their homes to accommodate their medical needs. But HISA grants have not kept up with the cost of materials and building. The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act would increase the amount available under this program from its ceiling of $6,800 to $9,000 for veterans with disabilities.

The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act has been endorsed by Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project and The Disabled American Veterans. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Don Bacon (R-Neb.-02) and Chris Pappas (D-N.H.-01).