Laurent House: A testament to design, accessibility, and the VA Specially Adapted Housing program

This month, VA commemorates the 75^th Anniversary of the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) program, which provides grants to Veterans and service members with certain, serious service-connected disabilities to adapt their homes to suit their unique needs while enhancing their ability to live more independently. As VA reflects on 75 years of service through the SAH program, it is important to acknowledge the grant’s profound impact on the lives of the Veterans and service members for whom the grant was intended. 

Since its inception in 1948, the amount of an SAH grant has increased more than ten times the original amount allocated. Annual increases are now calculated using an industry national building cost index instead of requiring federal law to increase grant amounts. 

The first SAH grant was approved on August 24, 1948, for a 30-year old U.S. Army Veteran living in Jacksonville, FL. The grant provided $9,500 to purchase an accessible home. Since that first grant, VA has administered nearly 50,000 SAH grants totaling nearly $2B to those heroes with serious, service-connected injuries and illnesses. These grants help them achieve greater independence, dignity and quality of life tailored to their unique requirements.

One of the more fascinating stories involves the Laurent House.

Nestled in the picturesque city of Rockford, Illinois, the Laurent House stands as an architectural gem with a unique history. Designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, this remarkable residence holds a special place in the hearts of many, not just for its aesthetic brilliance as the only purpose-built accessible home ever designed by Wright, but also for its connection to a disabled WWII Veteran Kenneth Laurent.

Laurent became paralyzed from the waist down, and his condition fundamentally changed his and his family’s life. His unique needs compelled new accessibility concerns for his caregiving wife and the possibility of modifying his home to address a new home life.

Laurent contacted Frank Lloyd Wright to inquire about designing a wheelchair accessible home after reading an article in the August 1948 issue of ‘House Beautiful Magazine.’ This letter would become the catalyst that led to not only the construction of the property, but a lifelong friendship between the Laurents and Wright. 

“It’s interesting that a letter, this very short letter that’s still on the typewriter today, could start something that eventually… helped thousands of other Veterans and thousands of other Americans with disabilities live independently in a home,” said Michael Frueh, VA’s principal deputy under secretary for Benefits, on the historical importance of the letter.

Completed in the spring of 1952, the Laurent House showcased Frank Lloyd Wright’s visionary design principles. What sets this residence apart, however, is its purposeful accommodation for Laurent’s mobility needs. More than that, though, it enhanced his independence, celebrated his individuality and was integrated seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

That is the transformative power of the SAH program, and the Laurent House remains a testament to the synergy between architectural brilliance, accessibility and VA’s SAH program.

75 years of the Specially Adapted Housing program

As we honor the 75th anniversary of the SAH program, we salute the contribution of the Laurents and Wright in providing seriously disabled Veterans and service members with a new vision for imagining and designing solutions for independent living. In this way, the Laurent House stands as an enduring symbol of triumph over adversity, reminding us that inclusive design and unwavering support can create spaces that empower and inspire those who have inspired us with selfless service and immense sacrifices for our country and our freedom.

The SAH program offers financial assistance to qualified Veterans or service members with severe service-connected disabilities to construct, purchase or adapt housing to meet their specific accessibility needs. This program is made possible through the efforts of nearly 200 VA SAH agents who engage our nation’s Veterans every day to deliver SAH grants worldwide, and strong partnerships with Veteran Service Organizations, non-profit groups and industry professionals.

More information

SAH eligibility can be found SAH website.

For more information about the VASAH Program, call 877-827-3702 or visit benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/homeloans/SAHFactsheet.pdf.

To learn more about Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) home adaptation grants and apply for benefits, please visit benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/independent_living.asp.