If you’re a disabled veteran who qualifies for a VA housing grant but you’re currently staying in a family member’s home instead of your own, the Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant is built specifically for your situation.
What Makes TRA Different?
The VA’s two main housing grants, SAH and SHA, generally require you to own or be about to own the home being modified. TRA works differently: it lets you adapt a family member’s home that you’re living in temporarily, without needing to own it yourself.
Who Qualifies for TRA?
You need to meet both of these:
- You’re living temporarily in a family member’s home that needs modifications to fit your disability; AND
- You already qualify for either the SAH or SHA grant based on your service-connected disability
How Much Does TRA Pay?
The amount depends on which grant you’d otherwise qualify for:
- If you qualify for SAH, TRA can pay up to $50,961 for fiscal year 2026; OR
- If you qualify for SHA, TRA can pay up to $9,100 for fiscal year 2026 (va.gov)
How Do You Apply?
The application process works the same as it does for SAH and SHA:
- Online, through the VA’s housing grants portal.
- By mail, using VA Form 26-4555.
- In person, at a VA regional office.
Have your Social Security number and VA file or claim number ready if you have one. Since TRA is tied to SAH or SHA eligibility, expect your application to be evaluated against those same disability requirements first.
Relief Recap
A lot of veterans assume they don’t qualify for any VA housing help simply because they don’t currently own a home, and TRA exists specifically to close that gap.
If you’re a homeowner instead, check out our companion guides covering the SAH grant and the SHA grant to see which one you’d likely qualify for.
