Help for home buyers with disabilities

Buying a home, especially for the first time, can be tricky. Buyers with disabilities find that the process poses a unique challenge. But disabled buyers should not be discouraged. There are plenty of programs and resources — both from the government and private organizations — designed to make home buying easier and more enjoyable for those with disabilities. Here are some of the best:

• The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which was created to help those in need find affordable homes, has a government-insured loan program with approved lending institutions. These loans are available to qualified disabled home buyers.

• The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers two different grants to current service members and veterans who have disabilities related to their services in the armed forces: the Specially Adapted Housing Grant and the Special Housing Adaptation Grant. For those who qualify, these can be used for the purchase or construction of a new home, or the modification of a currently owned dwelling.

• Habitat for Humanity often builds homes that are affordable for those who are disabled or have a disabled family member.

• Disabled World, an online community devoted to sharing helpful information on a variety of topics to those with disabilities, offers a list of programs offered by different states that may be beneficial to disabled home buyers.

• The government offers a housing choice voucher program to assist disabled, low-income and senior citizens acquire safe and affordable homes. A guidebook from HUD explains the program and how to qualify for it.

Additionally, there are many programs available for first-time and low-income home buyers for which those with disabilities may qualify. Don’t let disability stop you from realizing your dream of becoming a home owner.