2019-20728. Loan Guaranty: Assistance to Eligible Individuals in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing; Cost-of-Construction Index  

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    AGENCY:

    Department of Veterans Affairs.

    ACTION:

    Notice.

    SUMMARY:

    VA announces that the aggregate amounts of assistance available under the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant program will increase by 5.51 percent for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.

    DATES:

    The increases in aggregate amounts are effective October 1, 2019.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Jason Latona, Chief, Specially Adapted Housing, Loan Guaranty Service (262C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-9201. (This is not a toll-free number.)

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    In accordance with 38 United States Code (U.S.C) 2102(e), 38 U.S.C. 2102A(b)(2), 38 U.S.C. 2102B(b)(2), and 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 36.4411, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs announces for FY 2020 the aggregate amounts of assistance available to veterans and Servicemembers 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 Start Printed Page 50563Turner Building Cost Index for this purpose.

    In the most recent quarter for which the Turner Building Cost Index is available, 2nd Quarter 2019, the index showed an increase of 5.51 percent over the index value listed by 2nd Quarter 2018. Turner Construction Company, Cost Index, http://www.turnerconstruction.com/​cost-index (last visited Aug. 7, 2019). 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 5.51 percent for FY 2020.

    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 5.51 percent for FY 2020.

    The increases are effective as of October 1, 2019. 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 2020

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

    Effective October 1, 2019, the aggregate amount of assistance available for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) will be $90,364 during FY 2020. The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who satisfies the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) and 2102A will be $39,669 during FY 2020.

    Section 2101(b) Grants and TRA Grants

    Effective as of October 1, 2019, the aggregate amount of assistance available for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) will be $18,074 during FY 2020. The maximum TRA grant made to an individual who satisfies the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b) and 2102A will be $7,083 during FY 2020.

    Section 2102B Grants

    Effective as of October 1, 2019, the amount of assistance available for SAH grants made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2102B will be $90,364 during FY 2020; 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 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. Pamela Powers, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document on September 17, 2019, for publication.

    Start Signature

    Dated: September 19, 2019.

    Jeffrey M. Martin,

    Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2019-20728 Filed 9-24-19; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/1/2019
Published:
09/25/2019
Department:
Veterans Affairs Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
2019-20728
Dates:
The increases in aggregate amounts are effective October 1, 2019.
Pages:
50562-50563 (2 pages)
PDF File:
2019-20728.Pdf