What SCHA Is

Special Compensation Housing Accommodation (SCHA) is an approved housing adjustment or allowance when standard options don’t meet your documented needs because of medical necessity, disability accessibility, safety risk, short‑term verified hardship, or extraordinary circumstances.

Examples: accessible unit features, a priority transfer, temporary allowance after a qualifying event, short‑term relocation help.
Goal: the least change necessary to fix the housing barrier so you can safely use and enjoy your home.
Scope: SCHA is not a general rent subsidy and does not replace VA benefits.

Programs differ by jurisdiction. Use this page as a working policy template and adjust language to your rules.

Who Qualifies (at least one)

Medical necessity verified by a provider.
Accessibility needs (e.g., step‑free entry, visual alarms, wider doorways).
Safety risk with documentation (e.g., DV/stalking/credible threats).
Financial hardship from a sudden, verifiable event (job loss, disaster).
Extraordinary circumstances recognized by policy (e.g., caregiver needs, displacement).

Veterans Guide — Purpose, Intent, and How to Apply

Purpose

Safety: Remove immediate risks at home (e.g., unsafe stairs during recovery; verified security threats).
Function: Make housing workable when health/disability affects mobility, vision, hearing, or daily living.
Fair access: Provide a specific adjustment or short‑term assistance so you can use your housing like anyone else.

Intent

Bridge a gap when standard housing doesn’t fit. Focus on targeted, time‑limited solutions—like a priority transfer, temporary allowance, or specific accessibility feature.

How SCHA relates to VA programs

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): VA monetary benefit for certain severe disabilities/aid & attendance. Separate application through VA.
SAH/SHA (Specially Adapted Housing): VA grants for permanent home modifications if eligible. Separate through VA.
HISA: VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant for medically necessary changes. Separate through VA.

You can pursue VA benefits in addition to SCHA. A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can help with VA forms while we process SCHA.

Common Veteran Scenarios

Mobility/orthopedic limits requiring ground‑floor, elevator access, ramps, handrails, or doorway adjustments.
Post‑surgery recovery needing a temporary transfer or short‑term allowance.
Hearing/vision impairment needing visual alarms, amplified alerts, or improved lighting.
PTSD/safety risk calling for priority transfer and confidentiality measures.
Financial shock due to job loss, disaster, or medical crisis.

Evidence to Include

Medical/functional

Provider letter stating the exact housing feature needed and the timeframe (e.g., “ground‑floor unit for 12 weeks non‑weight‑bearing”).
Therapist/audiologist/vision specialist recommendations for alarms, lighting, or cues.
Discharge/rehab instructions confirming limits and duration.

Safety/hardship

Police report, court order, or advocate letter for safety transfers.
Insurance/disaster paperwork; proof of income loss; separation/leave papers.
Lease and photo ID to confirm residency.

Write your request in one sentence

“I am a veteran at [address]. Because of [condition/situation], I cannot safely use [stairs/bathroom/entry/etc.]. I am requesting [specific accommodation] so I can [function safely/access my home]. My provider (attached) recommends this for [timeframe].”

5 Steps to Apply

Prepare documents — provider letter and any safety/hardship proof (redact unneeded numbers).
Complete the form — be specific about what you need and for how long.
Upload evidence — PDFs/JPG/PNG accepted.
Submit & save confirmation — keep your acknowledgment number.
Review & decision — a coordinator may contact you; you’ll receive a written decision and next steps.

Processing Times

Intake: 1–3 business days
Review: up to 10 business days
Decision: within 5 business days

Times vary by case complexity and document completeness. Urgent, verified safety cases are prioritized.

Submit a Request

Full name *

Email *

Phone

Current address *

Reason category *

Urgency *

Requested accommodation * Justification & context

Upload supporting documents

Accepted: PDF, JPG, PNG (max 10MB each)

Preferred contact

I certify the information is accurate and understand it may be verified. *

Related Program: Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

SMC is a separate VA benefit that provides additional monthly compensation due to qualifying disabilities or circumstances (e.g., aid & attendance). It is not the same as an SCHA request, but you may pursue both if applicable.

Purpose: Extra monetary compensation tied to severity/type of disability.
Housing interaction: SMC may help with costs but doesn’t grant a housing transfer or modification by itself.
Docs: Medical evidence and VA ratings/assessments are usually required.

Use a VSO to explore SMC, SAH/SHA, and HISA while your SCHA request is processed.

Taxation & Housing Assessments (Frontage/“Buttage”)

Some jurisdictions apply taxes or assessments affecting housing costs. Two common topics are the tax treatment of housing assistance and frontage‑based assessments (sometimes nicknamed “buttage”).

Tax treatment

Whether a housing allowance or reimbursement is taxable depends on specific program rules and local/federal law.
If taxable, you may receive a year‑end form. Keep award letters and receipts.
Consult your tax advisor or local revenue authority; keep SCHA decision letters for your records.

Frontage/“Buttage” assessments

Municipal charge related to property frontage or local improvements (sidewalks, utilities). Names vary.
Typically billed to the owner; renters may see impacts depending on lease terms.
Some areas offer abatements, credits, or hardship deferrals—check your city/county assessor or treasurer.

Rule of 5: Document awards • Confirm tax status • Review lease terms • Ask about abatements • Keep copies 5 years.

Downloadable PDFs

These files summarize what to include and provide a print‑friendly checklist.