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Housing Benefits

  • Federally, there are several housing programs that benefit Veterans and their spouses.

Housing Benefits

Federally, there are several housing programs that benefit Veterans and their spouses.

 

VA Loan

A VA loan is a great program that allows eligible veterans or their surviving spouses to afford a home with NO money down and NO private mortgage insurance (PMI).

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • The VA itself does NOT issue mortgages, they merely act as a guarantor to the bank!

 

Uses

  • Buy a home, a manufactured home, or a condominium.

  • Buy a lot for a manufactured home.

  • Build, repair, or improve a home (including energy efficiency improvements).

  • Refinance an existing VA loan via a Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL).

 

Eligibility

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Educational benefits CANNOT be counted as income in consideration for a mortgage!

  • The income of people who are not your spouse CANNOT be counted as income in consideration for a mortgage!

  • You must meet the credit and income requirements to qualify for a mortgage from whichever lender you use.

 

Veterans

Click HERE.

 

Surviving Spouses

At least one of these must be true. The Veteran:

  • Is missing in action, or

  • Is a prisoner of war (POW), or

  • Died while in service or from a service-connected disability and you didn’t remarry, or

  • Died while in service or from a service-connected disability and you didn’t remarry before you were 57 years old or before December 16, 2003, or

  • Had been totally disabled and then died, but their disability may not have been the cause of death (in certain situations).

Note:

  • A surviving spouse who remarried before December 16, 2003, and on or after their 57th birthday, must have applied no later than December 15, 2004, to establish home loan eligibility. The VA will deny applications received after December 15, 2004 from surviving spouses who remarried before December 16, 2003.

 

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Depending if you are a Veteran or a Surviving spouse, will determine how you go about getting a Certificate of Eligibility for the VA loan.

 

Veterans

 

Surviving Spouses

 

If you’re receiving DIC benefits

You’ll need to fill out a Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility—Unmarried Surviving Spouses (VA Form 26-1817).

You’ll also need the Veteran’s DD214 (or other separation papers) if available.

Submit the form and discharge or separation papers to:

 

If you’re not receiving DIC benefits

You’ll first need to fill out an Application for DIC, Survivors Pension and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ).

You’ll also need:

Submit the form and documents to the VA pension management center that serves your state.

 

Funding Fee

To help offset the cost of this program to taxpayers, the VA uses a funding fee.

There are several factors that determine how much this fee is:

  • Size of down payment;

  • Size of the loan; and if

  • First use or additional usage of a VA loan.

Click Here to determine how much your funding fee will be.

 

Funding Fee Exceptions

However, you ARE exempt from paying the funding fee if any of the following apply:

  • You receive VA monetary disability compensation (paid at the 10% rate or higher);

  • You receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) as the surviving spouse of a Veteran;

  • You’re a service member who has received a proposed or memorandum rating BEFORE the loan closing date that says you’re eligible to get compensation because of a pre-discharge claim; or

  • You’re a service member on active duty who, BEFORE or ON the loan closing date, provides evidence of having received the Purple Heart

 

Funding Fee Refunds

To request a refund the following must BOTH be true:

  • You were awarded service connection for a condition with a rating of at least 10%; AND

  • The Effective date is BEFORE your closing date.

If you meet the above criteria then call the VA at:

877-827-3702

 

Home Buying Process

For a breakdown of the home buying process click HERE

 

FAQ

 

Can I use a VA loan to purchase property outside of the USA?

  • You can only purchase property in the United States, its territories, or possessions (including Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands).

 

Can I have more than one VA Loan?

  • You can use a VA loan more than once. However, you cannot have more than one VA backed loan out at any one time. Meaning, you will need to pay off the original mortgage first - then you can get another VA backed loan.

 

Native American Direct Loan (NADL)

If you’re a Veteran, and either you OR your spouse is Native American, this program may help you get a loan to buy, build, or improve a home on federal trust land. You may also get a loan to refinance an existing NADL and reduce your interest rate.

 

Eligibility

You or your spouse must meet ALL of the following conditions:

  • Your tribal government has an agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the VA detailing how the program will work on its trust lands

  • You have a valid VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

  • You meet credit standards

  • You have proof that you make enough money to cover the mortgage payments and other costs of owning a home

  • You’ll live in the home you’re using the NADL to buy, build, or improve

For more information click HERE.

 

Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Program of 2019

Eligible Alaska Native veterans can get up to 160 acres of Federal land. There is no requirement for personal use or occupancy mandated under previous laws.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • This program expires on Dec. 29, 2025.

 

Eligibility

  • Vietnam-era (served between Aug. 5, 1964, and Dec. 31, 1971) Alaskan Native American Veterans or their heirs

NOTE:

  • Those receiving allotments under previous programs are ineligible.

 

Applying

Click HERE to apply as well as learn more about the program.

 

Housing Adaptation Assistance

Veterans with certain service-connected or aging-related disabilities can get housing help. You may qualify for special housing grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

 

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH), Special Housing Adaptation (SHA), Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA)

If you qualify for an SAH or SHA grant but are living temporarily in a family member’s home, you may be able to get a Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant. It can pay for necessary changes to your relative’s home.

 

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)

You may be eligible for a Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant. You do NOT need to have a service-connected disability to qualify. This grant provides medically necessary improvements and structural changes to your primary home.

 

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) - Housing Adaptation Assistance

VR&E may provide home adaptations to individuals who are not currently able to work because of the effects of their service-connected disabilities, or who require adaptations to achieve a vocational goal. The benefits are limited to those required to improve independence at home and/or in the community.

 

Housing Help for Older Veterans

In-home care, assisted living, and retirement homes for Veterans.

  • Get help finding housing and care in a variety of Residential settings. This includes nursing homes, assisted living, and medical foster homes.

  • If you need in-home care so you can remain at home, the VA may be able to help. Call the VA Health Care Benefits number at 1-877-222-8387. Or, contact the VA medical center nearest you.

  • Another option for some military retirees and other Veterans is the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH). The AFRH has two locations: Washington, DC, and Gulfport, MS. Both offer recreation and wellness services including assisted living and skilled care.

 

References

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