If you’ve read a few of our write-ups, you’ve probably noticed that we complete quite a few handicap-accessible bathroom remodels through the VA HISA Grant program. Several members of our installation team are veterans themselves, and over the years, these projects have become especially meaningful to us.
The VA HISA Grant (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant) helps qualifying veterans make medically necessary accessibility modifications to their homes. In many cases, that includes tub-to-walk-in-shower conversions, grab bars, widened doorways, wheelchair accessibility improvements, and other bathroom safety upgrades designed to help veterans remain safely in their homes.
In early May, Sue reached out regarding her 94-year-old father-in-law, Don, who was struggling with an old clawfoot tub in his Syracuse, NY home. Like many older tubs, it featured high walls, uneven footing, and very little stability while entering or exiting. The family knew the bathroom had become increasingly dangerous, and they were hoping to use the VA HISA Grant to help make the space safer.
The existing bathroom was extremely dated and, more importantly, increasingly unsafe for Don to use independently.
Like many older homes throughout Syracuse, NY, the bathroom had never been designed with aging-in-place considerations in mind. The original clawfoot tub featured tall walls, limited floor space around the entry point, and very little stability while stepping in or out. For a healthy younger homeowner, it may have simply been inconvenient. For a 94-year-old veteran with mobility concerns, it had become a legitimate fall hazard.
Because the family was working within the financial limitations of the VA HISA Grant program, we focused on building the safest and most practical solution possible while remaining budget-conscious.
For this project, an acrylic wall system made the most sense. While we install quite a few premium cultured stone systems from The Onyx Collection, accessibility projects like this are often less about luxury finishes and more about functionality, ease of maintenance, and long-term safety.
Working Around Scheduling & Material Constraints
At the time Sue initially contacted us, we were already booked several months out. Normally, projects involving custom cultured stone systems can involve material lead times approaching two months by themselves, and even smaller accessibility remodels still require us to dedicate experienced installers and schedule coordination to ensure everything is completed properly.
Understanding the urgency of Don’s situation, Tom made a simple handshake agreement with the family: if they could remain flexible with scheduling, we would attempt to work the project in between larger remodels whenever an opening appeared.
A few weeks later, installer Shannon Boyer arrived on site and work officially began.
Unexpected Challenges During Construction
As with many older-home bathroom remodels, a few unexpected complications surfaced once demolition and reconstruction began. The first was mostly logistical.
Sue had temporarily returned to North Carolina and handed communication responsibilities over to her brother-in-law, John, who understandably wasn’t fully aware of every detail previously discussed during the planning process. Fortunately, one quick phone conversation cleared everything up and kept the project moving smoothly.
The second challenge was more technical. Once the rear wall was furred out, the bathroom lost several inches of usable floor space. That became an issue because the new 34″-deep shower footprint ended up uncomfortably close to the existing toilet location.
Rather than opening additional flooring and completely relocating the plumbing, we solved the problem by installing an offset toilet flange. This allowed us to reposition the toilet slightly farther away from the shower entrance while preserving the existing bathroom layout as much as possible.
These are the types of field adjustments that frequently become necessary during handicap-accessible bathroom remodels in older Syracuse homes. On paper, many of these projects appear simple. In reality, older framing, plumbing locations, HVAC runs, and limited square footage often require creative problem solving during construction.
The Finished Walk-In Shower
This job took our lead install technician, Shannon Boyer, approximately four days to complete. For readers curious about how long most renovations take, read our Syracuse bathroom remodel timeline guide by clicking here.
Would this bathroom belong in a luxury showroom? Probably not. But that was never the objective. The goal was to create a bathroom that was safe, functional, low-maintenance, and dramatically less dangerous for a 94-year-old veteran trying to remain comfortable in his home.
In that regard, the project was an overwhelming success. The new walk-in shower eliminated the hazards associated with the old clawfoot tub, improved accessibility substantially, and gave the family peace of mind knowing Don could bathe much more safely moving forward.
Most importantly, the VA HISA Grant helped keep out-of-pocket costs manageable for the family. By the end of the project, Don, Sue, and John all thanked our team and told us they loved the final result.
Considering a VA HISA Grant Bathroom Remodel in Syracuse, NY?
If you or a loved one is a veteran struggling with an unsafe bathroom setup, the VA HISA Grant can be an incredible resource for improving safety and accessibility within the home.
At Bath Pros, we regularly work with veterans throughout Syracuse and Central New York and are familiar with both the accessibility considerations and paperwork requirements involved with these projects. We know many of the local VA representatives by name and can help guide homeowners through the process from start to finish.
Whether you’re considering a simple tub-to-walk-in-shower conversion or a more extensive handicap-accessible bathroom remodel, our family would be honored to help.
You served us — now let our family serve you. Call Bath Pros at (315) 217-1151 today for an honest conversation about how to improve accessibility and make your bathroom safer.
Frequently Asked Questions About the VA HISA Grant
What is the VA HISA Grant?
The VA HISA Grant — short for the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant — is a program offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that helps qualifying veterans pay for medically necessary home accessibility improvements.
These modifications often include:
- Tub-to-walk-in-shower conversions
- Grab bars
- Wheelchair accessibility improvements
- Wider doorways
- Handicap-accessible bathroom remodels
- Ramps and entry modifications
The goal is to help veterans remain safer and more independent within their homes.
Does the VA HISA Grant cover walk-in showers?
Yes — in many cases, the VA HISA Grant can help cover the cost of converting an unsafe bathtub into a safer walk-in shower when medically necessary for accessibility or mobility reasons.
Every situation is different, and approval depends on both medical need and VA authorization.
Can the VA HISA Grant cover a full bathroom remodel?
Typically, the grant covers medically necessary accessibility improvements rather than luxury upgrades or cosmetic renovations.
However, portions of a larger bathroom remodel may qualify if they directly improve safety, accessibility, or mobility within the space.
How much does the VA HISA Grant provide?
Grant amounts can vary depending on service connection status and current VA guidelines. Because requirements and limits can change over time, we always recommend speaking directly with your VA representative for the most current information.
Does Bath Pros help with the VA HISA Grant process?
Yes. We regularly work with veterans and their families throughout Syracuse and Central New York and are familiar with the paperwork and approval process involved with many VA accessibility projects.
While we are not affiliated with the VA itself, we can help homeowners understand the remodeling side of the process and coordinate the information typically required for approval.
Are walk-in showers safer for elderly homeowners?
In many situations, absolutely.
Traditional tubs often require stepping over tall edges while standing on potentially slippery surfaces. Walk-in showers can dramatically reduce fall risks and can also incorporate additional safety features like:
- Built-in seating
- Grab bars
- Low-threshold shower bases
- Handheld shower wands
- Wider entry openings
Why do older Syracuse homes often require extra work during bathroom remodels?
Many older homes throughout Syracuse, NY were never originally designed with accessibility in mind. During demolition, we often uncover tight framing layouts, outdated plumbing, HVAC conflicts, uneven flooring, or limited space that requires creative adjustments during construction.
That’s especially common during tub-to-walk-in-shower conversions in homes built decades ago.
How long does a VA HISA Grant bathroom remodel take?
That depends on the size and complexity of the project, as well as material lead times and VA approval timing.
Simpler acrylic walk-in shower conversions may move relatively quickly, while larger custom bathroom remodels involving structural modifications or specialty materials can take substantially longer.