PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 116-154.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Aug 8, 2020
Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019
This bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Specially Adapted Housing Program and updates provisions related to educational assistance and the work-study allowance for veterans.
The Specially Adapted Housing Program provides grants to veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities to assist with constructing, purchasing, or remodeling homes to fit their needs. The program is comprised of two grants (1) the Specially Adapted Housing grant (for acquisition of housing with special features), and (2) the Special Housing Adaptation grant (for adaptations to a veteran's residence).
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Specifically, the bill updates the eligibility for the program by including veterans with certain visual impairments and requiring those with the loss or loss of use of a lower extremity to meet other qualifications.
The bill raises the cap on grants that may be issued per veteran from three to six and raises the number of applications that may be approved for the Specially Adapted Housing grant from 30 to 120. The bill increases the maximum amount of assistance available under the Special Housing Adaptation grant program and also increases the aggregate amount of assistance available under both grant programs.
The bill also authorizes certain veterans to apply for additional assistance under both grants, subject to specified limitations.
Under the bill, individuals who are entitled to educational assistance through the Post-9/11 GI Bill are also entitled to payment for a covered preparatory course for licensure, certification, or national tests.
The bill updates provisions related to the work-study allowance benefit available to eligible veterans, including by prescribing the annual amount the VA must provide to educational institutions for the program.
Finally, the bill modifies the loan fee table under the VA's home loan guaranty program.
People & committees
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12] · R–FL
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 116-154.
Became Public Law No: 116-154.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H3111-3113)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Takano asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill, H.R. 3504, and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H3111-3113)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2158)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7207-7209)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7207-7209)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3504.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7207-7211)
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 124.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 116-164.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 116-164.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3504 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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