Shaheen Joins Bipartisan Call to VA for Improvements to VA Home Guaranty Program, Pushes Administration to Help Veterans and Military Families Purchase Homes

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined a letter led by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help more veterans and military families purchase homes by providing additional flexibilities for the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program. Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) signed the House version of the letter.

Writing to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, the Senators discussed the challenges that current veterans face when purchasing a home. They wrote that “in this housing market, veterans and military families are struggling to compete with other buyers when using the VA Home Loan Guaranty program.” The VA Home Loan Guaranty program was established more than 75 years ago to help returning service members achieve the dream of home ownership.  

The Senators urged the VA to “consider additional flexibilities regarding valuation for the VA Home Loan Guaranty program, while providing comprehensive education about the program for veteran homebuyers, realtors, and lenders. The VA serves as a cornerstone of our nation’s system to provide care for veterans. We ask for your committed leadership to ensure that veterans continue to receive the help that they need when transitioning back to civilian life.”

“We applaud any efforts to increase outreach and education to Veterans and Realtors on this program, as the housing market is challenging, at best. Any review and streamlining of the process will be beneficial and hopefully make using the VA Home Loan Guaranty program more effective,” said Paul Lloyd, State Adjutant of New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The full list of Senate signers includes Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Marco Rubio (R-FL). Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA-15) is leading a House version.

The full letter can be read here.