Shaheen Introduces Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act
**Shaheen bill would fix an existing loophole in order to expand access to home loans for certain National Guard Members and Reservists.**
(Washington, DC) — Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, introduced the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act. This legislation would fix a loophole in the law under which certain National Guard Members and Reservists are not adequately credited for their time on active service and would expand their eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans accordingly.
“As we face a housing crisis here in New Hampshire and across the nation, it’s important that we work to ensure affordable housing is within reach for all of those who bravely serve our country,” said Shaheen. “That’s why I’m introducing the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act, which will address a loophole in the law and expand eligibility for VA home loans for National Guard members and Reservists, many of whom are currently denied access to these loans, by ensuring that all of their time on active service is appropriately credited. This legislation is a crucial step to address this gap in eligibility and ensure all of our veterans and service members can afford access to housing opportunities.”
This legislation was previously introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Pat Ryan (NY-19), where it passed via suspension last September.
The full text of the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act can be read here.
Senator Shaheen has long supported measures to expand access to affordable housing for veterans and active service members. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen supported the inclusion of $484 million for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program in government funding legislation for fiscal year (FY) 2022. Previously, Shaheen joined a bipartisan call to the Department of Veterans Affairs for improvements to the VA Home Guaranty Program.
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