Assistance Listings

Veterans Housing Guaranteed and Insured Loans

Objectives

To assist veterans, certain service personnel, and certain unmarried surviving spouses of veterans, in obtaining credit for the purchase, construction or improvement of homes on more liberal terms than are generally available to non-veterans.

Examples of Funded Projects

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In FY 2024, VA supported 413,886 new loan guarantees for a value of $155.5 billion and an average loan amount of $375,702.

Accomplishments

Account Identification

36-4129-0-3-704

Types of Assistance

F - Guaranteed/Insured Loans

Credentials and Documentation

Evidence of the veteran's entitlement for loan benefits and qualification for the loan purpose, documentation on the loan transaction, and characteristics of the property proposed to secure the loan. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.

Applicant Eligibility

(a) Veterans who served on active duty on or after September 16, 1940, and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Veterans who served any time during World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam-era, or the Persian Gulf War (ending date for the Persian Gulf War has not been set) must have served on active duty 90 days or more; veterans with peacetime service must have served a minimum of 181 days continuous active duty. All veterans separated from enlisted service which began after September 7, 1980, or service as an officer which began after October 16, 1981, must also have served at least 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period for which the person was called or ordered to active duty. Veterans of such recent service may qualify with less service time if they have a compensable service-connected disability or were discharged after at least 181 days (90 days during Persian Gulf War), under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173; or (b) any veteran in the above classes with less service but discharged with a service-connected disability; (c) individuals may also be eligible if they were released from active duty due to an involuntary reduction in force, certain medical conditions, or in some instances, for the convenience of the Government; (d) unmarried surviving spouses of otherwise eligible veterans who died in service or whose deaths were attributable to service-connected disabilities Note: A surviving spouse who remarries on or after attaining age 57, may be eligible for the home loan benefit; (e)spouses of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, who are listed as missing in action, or as prisoners of war and who have been so listed 90 days or more; (f) individuals who performed full-time National Guard duty (as defined in section 101 of title 10) for a period of not less than 90 cumulative days, including a period of at least 30 consecutive days; (g) members of the Selected Reserve who are not otherwise eligible for home loan benefits and who have completed a total of six (6) years in the Selected Reserves, followed by an honorable discharge, placement on the retired list, or continued service. Individuals who completed less than 6 years may be eligible if discharged for a service-connected disability. Applicants must have sufficient present and prospective income to meet loan repayment terms and have a satisfactory credit record.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Veterans, service personnel, and certain unmarried surviving spouses of veterans.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Loan proceeds may be disbursed in one lump sum when an existing suitable housing unit is involved or in phases in construction cases. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum Method of awarding/releasing assistance:

Use of Assistance

VA may guarantee or insure home loans made to eligible applicants for any of the following purposes: (a) buy or build a home; (b) simultaneously purchase and improve a home; (c) repair, alter or improve a home; (d) buy a one-family residential unit in an approved condominium housing project; (e) refinance a mortgage or other lien on a house owned by the applicant; (f) refinance an existing VA loan to reduce the interest rate (g) purchase a manufactured home to be permanently affixed to a lot that is already owned by the applicant; (h) purchase a manufactured home and a lot to which the home will be permanently affixed; (i) refinance at a lower interest rate an existing VA-guaranteed loan which is secured by a manufactured home permanently affixed to a lot owned by the applicant; (j) refinance an existing loan that was made for the purchase of, and that is secured by, a manufactured home that is permanently affixed to a lot and to purchase the lot to which the manufactured home is affixed. Restrictions on guaranteed financing are that: (a) the borrower must own and occupy, as his or her home, the housing unit securing the loan; (b) for refinancing loans to reduce the interest on an existing VA loan previous occupancy is acceptable; (c) the nature and condition of the unit must be suitable for dwelling; (d) maximum loan amount on purchase transactions may not exceed the property value established by VA plus the applicable VA loan fee collected under 38 U.S.C. 3729; (e) the maximum loan amount on refinances (other than refinances of an existing VA-guaranteed loan to reduce the interest rate made under 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8)) may not exceed the property value established by VA (f) the terms of repayment must bear a proper relationship to the applicant's present and anticipated income and expenses; (g) the applicant must be a satisfactory credit risk; (h) if the loan involves a permanently sited manufactured home, then that home must be classified and taxed as real property.

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedures

This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Applicants can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility online through www.va.gov, by mail through the VA Regional Loan Center of jurisdiction or ask their lender to apply through the WebLGY system. Applications for guaranty are also made by the lender, electronically, through VA's WebLGY program.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.

Award Procedure

Evidence of guaranty will be issued to the lender electronically.

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

From 1 to 15 days. Certificates of Eligibility are usually issued within 5 days after receipt of an application. Most Certificates of Eligibility can be requested and issued in 'real time' by lenders through the WebLGY system, or by Veterans through www.va.gov. Issuance of guaranty can be obtained by the lender, in most cases, immediately through WebLGY.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Not Applicable. In the event of a denial or disagreement, a notification letter will advise of applicable review/appeal options, associated filing requirements and time limits.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

Until VA ceases to be liable as the guarantor or insurer of a loan, the lender or loan holder must maintain adequate records on the amount and dates of payments received and disbursements made on guaranteed or insured loans.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

38 CFR 36.4300-4393. VA Pamphlet 80-00-1, Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, S/N 051-000-00233-4, at $5.00 each, available from the Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: