Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program

The purpose of the Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification (VHRM) pilot program is to explore the potential benefits of awarding grants to nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of veterans who are low-income and living with disabilities.

A number of America's veterans who are low-income and living with disabilities are in need of adaptive housing to help them regain or maintain their independence, are unable to fund significant home repairs, or are burdened by utility costs. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, HUD intends to use the VHRM pilot to test a new approach to addressing these challenges in accordance with section 1079 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Pub. L. 113-291, enacted December 19, 2014). The VHRM pilot will award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations that provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals.

Nonprofits organizations that provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals. Applicants that are nonprofits organizations as described in section 501(c) (3) or 501 (a) (19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501 (a) of such Code.

Eligible recipients for use of the Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modificiation program includ disabled and low-income veterans.

Z- Salaries and Expenses, B-Project Grants

Awards must be used to support the eligible activities as follows: 1) Install wheelchair ramps, widen exterior and interior doors, reconfigure and re¬equip bathrooms (which include the installations of new fixtures and grab bars), remove doorway thresholds, install special lighting, add additional electrical outlets and electrical service, and install appropriate floor coverings to: (1) accommodate the functional limitations that results from having a disability or (2) residence that do not have modifications necessary to reduce the chances that an elderly, but not disabled person, will fall in their home, reduce the risks of an elderly person from falling. 2) Rehabilitate a residence that is in a state of interior or exterior disrepair. 3) Install energy efficient feature or equipment if: (1) an eligible veteran's monthly utility costs for such residence is more than 5 percent of such veteran's monthly income, (2) the energy audit such residence indicates that the installation of energy efficient features or equipment will reduce the cost by 10 percent or more.

Awards will be available for a period of up to 36 months from the date of execution of the grant agreement. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: letter

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

Two types.of reviews will be conducted. First, HUD will review each application to determine whether it meets threshold eligibility requirements. Second, HUD will review and assign scores to applications meeting the threshold requirements. Once rating scores are assigned, rated applications will be listed in ranked order. After HUD has rated and ranked the applications, applicants within the fundable range of 75 or more points will be funded in ranked order up to the amount requested, or in a lesser amount if sufficient funds are not available. HUD reserves the right to reduce the amount of the award requested.

HUD will issue a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to administer this program. As a result, HUD will review eligible submitted applications and determine application scores. Once rating scores are assigned, rated applications will be listed in ranked order. HUD will send written notifications to both successful and unsuccessful applicants. Applicants will be given the opportunity to amend their budget according to the grant award, in the event HUD awards less than the requested amount prior to entering into the grant agreement. HUD will approve the action plan(s) or notify the grantee of matters that need to be addressed prior to approval.