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No veteran should be without a home. They are our heroes who made sure that we stay safe. They deserve our utmost care, love, and respect. Unfortunately, a majority of veterans go through homelessness once they are discharged from active duty. The primary reason for homelessness among veterans is financial issues. Most of the veterans are not able to get employment after they are discharged. Social isolation is another cause of homelessness among veterans.

It is quite challenging for a veteran to cope with the civilian lifestyle because they have spent a long time of their lives in strict discipline while protecting us. Also, war takes a toll on the psyche of the veterans. Most of them go through PTSD, depression, and anxiety issues. Thus, they find it hard to live a normal life as any other civilian. All of these factors lead to veterans facing homelessness issues. This is why the military veterans’ housing programs are so important.

Some Facts About Homelessness Among Veterans

• The number of homeless female veterans is increasing. Comparison studies from HUD show that female veterans are 2-3X times more likely to be homeless than any other group in the US adult population.
• Veterans who are between the ages of 18 to 30 are twice as likely as the adults of the general population to become homeless. The risk of homeless veterans increases who are poor.
• Roughly 53% of individual homeless veterans have disabilities.
• Majority of the veterans suffer from mental illness, two-thirds suffer from substance abuse problems, and many suffer from dual diagnosis (known as the person struggling from problems of mental illness and substance abuse problem)
• Homeless veterans experience homelessness for a longer period of time compared to the non-veteran peers. Veterans have to spend nearly six years staying homeless, while the non-veterans have to spend an average time of four years being homeless.

Considering all the above factors, it is imperative to implement the military veterans’ housing programs to ensure the safety, security, and a healthy lifestyle for our veterans.

How Landlords Can Help with Military Veterans Housing Programs?

Landlords have a unique opportunity to give it back to those who served the country. The veterans have defended our nation selflessly; landlords can make a positive impact by protecting individuals from the risk of homelessness. The military veterans housing programs will not only offer shelter but can also lead to a life-changing health, social, and socioeconomic outcome for them and their families.

Also, housing for veterans offers them a mutually beneficial relationship because the landlords will benefit from the responsible, long-term renters, support from the VA, and guaranteed payments that come through the Housing Choice Vouchers or grantees that offer short-term subsidiaries. There are numerous efforts through the VA to assist low-income veterans with permanent housing solutions. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program is one of them working in collaboration for military veterans housing programs.

Under HUD-VASH, the eligible low income veterans who need case management and supportive services, get housing choice voucher from the public housing authority that offer rental assistance promoting housing stability. Accepting the housing choice vouchers is an excellent way for the landlords to be a part of the military veterans housing programs and offer veterans housing. At Habitats4Veterans we urge the landlords to be a part of the military veterans housing programs to eliminate homelessness among US veterans. If you are a veteran who needs help with homelessness issue, feel free to get in touch with us. We are here to help you in the best possible way.

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VA housing support for the military is one of the best and most effective help any veteran can get when they are going through the issue of homelessness. Once the military veterans are discharged, the primary problem they face is homelessness. Apart from that, they have to go through other problems like depression, PTSD, trouble coping with social and civilian life, unemployment, and financial issues. Helping military veterans with proper housing support can empower them to live a stable and peaceful life. With VA housing support for the military, the veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses can buy or refinance a loan. Also, they will get the benefits and services to help build, improve, and keep the current home. Here are the details of VA home loan types.

The Details of VA Home Loan Types

The VA Home Loan programs help in buying, building, and improving a home, or you can also refinance the present home loan. The VA home loan types include VA direct loans and VA-backed loans.

VA Direct Home Loan

With a VA Direct Loan, the Veterans Affairs will be the mortgage lender. This is one of the ideal housing supports for the military. Thus, you shall work directly with them to apply for and manage your loan. The Native American Direct Loan program has better terms than a home loan from any private lender (a bank, a mortgage company, or a credit union).

VA-Backed Home Loan

With a VA-backed home loan, you can rest assured to have a portion of the loan from a private lender. If the VA-backed home loan goes into foreclosure, the guarantee allows the lender to recover a portion of their losses. Since there is less risk for the lender, they are more likely to offer you the loan under better terms. 90% of the VA-backed home loans are done without any down payment. The lenders will follow the VA standards while making the VA-backed home loans. They might also need you to meet additional standards before offering you a loan.

The Disability Housing Grants for the Veterans 

When it comes to housing support for the military, disabled veterans can opt for disability housing grants for the veterans. The Veterans Affairs will offer grants to veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so that they can buy or change a home to meet their needs and live much more independently. Changing a home might include installing ramps or widening doorways.

If you are a veteran with a disability, you can get a specially adapted housing grant to use the money to buy, build, and change a permanent home. However, you have to own the home, and you must have a service-connected disability.

Purchase Loan 

There are times when lenders offer competitive interest rates on VA-backed purchase loans. This will help in buying, building, or improving a home, especially when you don’t want to make a down payment.

Native American Direct Loan (NADL) 

If you are a veteran or your spouse is a Native American, the Native American Direct Loan will help in getting a loan to buy, build, and improve a home on the federal trust land. You can also get a loan to refinance an existing NADL and reduce the interest rate.

Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)

When it is about housing support for the military, if you have an existing VA-backed home loan and want to reduce the monthly mortgage payments or make sure that the payments are more stable, the interest rate reduction refinance loan will be the right option for you. Refinancing will help you to replace the current loan with a new one but under different terms.

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Did you know? Every year almost 2,20,000 men and women transition from active-duty services and return to civilian life. The adjustments that a veteran requires are extremely tough. Their families have to reorient their lives completely through multiple domains that include employment, finances, housing, health, and social support. There is no denying that life’s transitions are challenging for all of us. They challenge our relationships and change our support networks, identities, and self-perceptions. The transitions for a veteran can be more burdensome because it is not easy to shift from the collective culture of the military service to getting into a more individualized role in how they should live, interact, and work with others. Many veterans go through homelessness when they are discharged from the military. This is where housing support for the military comes in.

Veterans Require Immediate Assistance

44 to 72 percent of veterans experience high stress levels during the transition from the military to civilian life. Approximately half of those recently separated from military service might not immediately connect with the available resources and benefits. Without support, the veterans go through complex behavioral health concerns. Over half of the veterans are senior citizens. In 2017, 90% of the veterans were aged 35 years and above. Once they are discharged from service, it becomes tough for them to get employed. This becomes one of the crucial reasons for NOT being able to run a family, resulting in homelessness.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Housing Program offers Supportive Services for Veteran Families that provide grants to community organizations helping those veterans who are at immediate risk of homelessness. Also, it includes offering the veterans temporary financial assistance that they can use on anything, starting from security deposits to paying off utility bills. Veterans face a higher risk of homelessness than the general population. Housing support for the military can help veterans in every possible way.

Why Veterans are at Higher Risk of Homelessness than the General Population?

The reason why veterans face a higher risk of homelessness is because of the stressors that they experience during the time of their active duty. If you observe specifically within the members of the military, PTSD and combat exposure are the primary causes of veterans having a higher risk of homelessness. There are a lot of other risk factors for homelessness; these include adverse life experiences and lack of the right economic resources.

The premilitary risk factors, including adverse childhood experiences, traumatic experiences, job loss, financial difficulties, and dissolution of relationships, can also play a crucial role in causing mental health issues among veterans because combat exposure can trigger and enhance the premilitary trauma. Thus, it is better to have housing support for the military, which also includes medical care, trauma care, and behavioral support for the veterans.

Breaking the Social Stigma 

In multiple ways, the stigma associated with homelessness is tough to avoid, especially for the veterans who have served and sacrificed so much for their country. A lot of veterans see homelessness as a moral failing and hesitate to seek the necessary help. This is where it is important to ensure that the programs associated with housing support for the military help the veterans in the best possible way without making them feel any less. Our veterans are the heroes of our country, and they deserve nothing but the best. At Habitats4Veterans, we urge every landlord to accept the rental subsidy for housing support for veterans and help us to eliminate homelessness among them.

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The difficulty of finding affordable housing, the challenges in transforming from the military to civilian life, and getting employed in the tight labor market, can create stress for military veterans and their families. The passion to serve the country encourages innumerable men and women to join the military. Many service members have completed tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have been a part of other armed conflicts all over the world. The number of military personnel will increase in the coming years. Thus, the number of military veterans retiring from their duties will also keep increasing. This is why housing help for military veterans is so important.

Did you know? Most of the post-9/11 veterans face challenges in translating their military experience into the private sector, especially during the recession and the weak economic recovery. Even in places that have strong job opportunities, there is a mismatch between the experience needed and the skills of a veteran. A huge number of post-9/11 veterans are not able to work because of a service-related disability. Even when military veteran gets a job, it becomes tough for them to maintain a proper and healthy lifestyle due to the rising housing costs. Therefore, it is crucial to support veterans with housing help for military veterans.

Facts About the Housing Programs for the Veterans 

The housing cost and affordability challenges for veterans are most difficult in places with strong job opportunities. It even becomes a challenge in metropolitan areas with many military veterans. Did you know? In the post-9/11 era, the military veterans in more than half of the nation’s 50 largest metro areas didn’t earn enough to afford the typical rent of a one-bedroom home. Due to the affordability challenges and high housing costs for the veterans, the VA (Veterans Affairs) and DoD (Department of Defense) created programs to help the veterans with jobs and employment. However, it is crucial to ensure that there is a coordination between job training and housing programs for the veterans who are starting their civilian careers.

Most of the housing services are focused on older veterans and the veterans facing housing issues, including homelessness or physical or mental health issues. As they enter civilian life, the veterans might simply need affordable housing options, rental, and homeownership, especially in areas with large military and veteran populations. The growing number of veterans suggests that the programs for housing help for military veterans should expand, especially for those getting discharged into the fast-growing and high-cost housing markets. It is crucial to link veterans to both employment and housing opportunities.

Those veterans struggling with military-connected injuries that have difficulty finding civilian employment might find housing help for military veterans to be the best option. The reason is these programs include the needs of retired veterans as much as possible. There is no denying that a lot of veterans will benefit from the standard models that serve homeless veterans or at-risk veterans; many are facing setbacks because they need more focus on physical rehabilitation, continuity reintegration, job training, and housing approaches that work with these needs. Recent veterans residing in high-cost areas with fast-growing job markets might require special training to avail of civilian jobs.

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Returning veterans often face challenges that make adjusting to life after military service difficult. Because the military handles essentials such as housing support for military, health care, and finances during active duty, some veterans struggle to navigate these areas on their own as civilians. Offering temporary and permanent housing for veterans and providing them with critical support and resources that address the root causes of housing insecurity is what is needed.

In addition to connecting veterans with resources for health care and other necessities, financial education is also a key component of its mission to get un-housed veterans back on their feet.

Stable homes build stable families

A stable home is a foundation people need to rebuild their otherwise troubled lives and achieve their goals, providing improved health, better education, increased employment, and stronger communities. Without stable homes, people are more likely to experience health issues from unsafe or unsanitary conditions. Stable homes provide access to clean water, safe heating and cooling, and enough space to promote overall health and well-being.

Children who have stable homes are more likely to attend school regularly and perform better academically. With access to adequate housing, adults can find and maintain employment. By reducing the stress and instability that homelessness can cause, stable homes can help children reach their full potential. It can also provide a secure base for adults to search for jobs and build a career, allowing the whole family to become more engaged in their communities and contribute to the area’s social fabric.

Finding your new accessible home

Taking care of the most vital financing and planning steps for housing support for military can ease stress. Still, you will also want to plan for your home search carefully, especially since you have been looking for a home with accessibility features. This is especially true if you are still determining which features you need in a new home, so think about doing that homework and coming up with a list of facilitiesthat matter the most to you. This can include wider entryways and hallways to allow for the use of a wheelchair if essential or even access to public transportation from your new neighborhood. Be sure to share this crucial list of accessibility features so that they can narrow down the list of potential local properties to streamline your search and find the best possible home for your needs.

Making your new home your own

So while you may be able to find a home with a few features on your list, you should know that accessibility modifications may be needed before your new home is perfect for you. Suppose you’re concerned about covering the costs associated with these upgrades. In that case, you may be able to use specific programs and financial tools to take care of those expenses and avoid paying for them out of your pocket. Once you plan to make any needed home upgrades, you can move on to taking other steps to make that new house start feeling like your new home. Just begin by unpacking a few essentials that give you comfort and good luck for the new beginnings.

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Veterans experiencing homelessness are an ongoing challenge in the United States. If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness, housing resources are available. It’s hard to deny that veterans are the backbone of this country. Without them, there wouldn’t be a way to ensure that the US will continue being the “Land of Opportunity” it is famed for. Veterans made the dreams of American forefathers possible and protected Americans’ rights through their dedicated service.

After all the sacrifice and hard work in service, every veteran would want to return home with a guarantee of quality housing as they become a civilian. If this goal seems complicated, they can turn to various military veterans’ housing programs for help with affordable permanent homes.

Housing assistance programs for homeless veterans

Veterans are at risk of homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse when adjusting to everyday life like the other population. In addition, after several years of service, post-traumatic stress disorder can be challenging when trying to become a civilian. According to a HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) survey, about 40,056 homeless veterans are on any night.

The HUD is among the institutions giving vouchers to veterans to help them afford houses. In addition, rental assistance programs such as Section 8 and public housing are also helping to reduce homelessness among veterans. While these options can help you find military veterans’ housing programs, you must understand their requirements and terms.

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing or HUD-VASH program combines diverse resources:

• Housing Choice Voucher or HCV rental assistance for homeless Veterans
• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides case management and clinical services.

Homeless veterans receive special consideration for housing assistance under the joint program. The Dept. of HUD and the Veterans Administration Supportive Housing run the program. Known as HUD-VASH, this program offers rental assistance in the private sector. These funds are specifically for homeless veterans and their families.

HUD VA Supportive Housing

The HUD VA Supportive Housing program combines clinical services offered through VA community-based outreach clinics and medical centers with the housing choice vouchers given by HUD. So you can count on it for stable housing and medical treatments.

Since HUD provides housing assistance, you can request to live with your service animal. The program will be ideal if you have a severe substance use disorder or mental or physical health problem.

VA-Backed Veterans Home Loans

VA direct and VA-backed home loans target service members, veterans, and surviving families looking to build, improve, refinance, or buy a home. To qualify, you must meet various income and credit requirements for the loan amount you wish to borrow. Unlike traditional loans (from credit unions, mortgage companies, and private banks), VA home loans boast better terms and less stringent eligibility requirements.

How VA-Backed Home Loans Work?

Veterans Affairs stands behind (guarantees) a part of the loan borrowed from an approved private lender through VA-backed loans. The VA-approved lender can recoup some or all of their financial losses if the loan goes into foreclosure.

Like with other home loans, lenders risk issuing the loan. However, you will likely get the financing under favorable terms thanks to the VA guarantee. In addition, depending on the loan type, you may not have to make a hefty down payment during the application.

The VA requires approved lenders to stick to various loan origination standards when issuing you loans. Lenders must also carry out home appraisals and credit checks in the loan process.

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If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, there is no need to worry! Real estate rebates are a marketing tool to attract homeowners to a brokerage and nd it’s an excellent opportunity for the home buyer or seller, to save a little money.

Here is a list of military-friendly rebates and incentives to help you get started.

Navy Federal Credit Union

The Navy Federal’s Realty Plus program is a free of cost, nationwide real estate assistance program earning you from $400 to $9,000 after your close on your home with a dedicated real estate agent.

You will receive the following:

• A referral to an experienced agent in real estate.
• A personal real estate coordinator to guide through the process.
• Information on Community and neighborhood.

Homes for Heroes

The Homes for Heroes program was created shortly after 9/11 as a way to express gratitude to the people who serve our country— namely people like firefighters, law enforcement, the military personnels, healthcare workers, and educators. They are on a mission to provide extraordinary savings to heroes who deliver outstanding services to the country and communities daily.

• The average home buyer/ seller saves $3,000.
• Receive reduced lending fees.
• Title companies and home inspector specialists provide discounts on their services.

You must also be enrolled with Homes for Heroes program and be represented at closing by the Homes for Heroes affiliate real estate specialist to be eligible. After you sign up online, you’ll be contacted by a Homes for Heroes program specialist in your area just within 24 hours.

U.S. Military on the Move

The U.S. Military on the Move is a real estate program offered by the top independent real estate companies that pride themselves on being experts in their local communities.

Heroes Home Advantage

The Heroes Home Advantage is another real estate rebate program for those who care, protect, and serve our country and community, such as law enforcement, servicemembers, firefighters, healthcare workers, emergency personnel, and teachers.

Military Real Estate Benefits

The benefits of Military Real Estate programs in supporting military and veteran families. They aim to make the home-buying process as smooth as possible while also saving home buyers up to $7,500 cash back after closing.

• Upon closing with the dedicated real estate agent, receive $350 to $7,500 in cash.
• Partner with a personal advocate on Military Real Estate Benefits.
• Feel free to sign up.
• Contacted by an agent within a single business day of applying for the program.

Search for Local Real Estate Professionals for Savings

It’s easy to search online for the big real estate entities that serve military buyers and sellers. Still, sometimes the personal connection and potential for savings get lost under the corporate umbrella.

While searching for the best deals, remember to dial into your local resources. Their ability to meet your needs is likely more flexible, and they could offer discounts big companies cannot. In addition, you’ll want to consider personal recommendations and in-person interviews—the rebate or incentive can only take the relationship so far.

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There is no denying that veteran, who dedicated their lives to protecting this nation and its habitants, finds it difficult to have a habitat of their own. As a result, homelessness amongst veterans has become one of the major issues. This is where the Veterans Affairs Housing Assistance programs come in. If you are a veteran seeking military housing help after discharge, you must know that VA housing assistance can help you get a home or refinance a loan.

VA housing assistance can help service members, veterans and their surviving spouses to get a home or refinance a loan. They will also offer services and benefits to help you build, improve and keep your current home. There are different types of VA-supported home loans. A VA-supported home loan will offer better terms than any traditional home loan from a private bank, credit union or mortgage company.

Before we share the details of the different types of home loans available from the Veterans Affairs Housing Assistance, let us share how they work.

How does a VA Loan Work?

Regarding housing help for the military, VA loans are the best option. Here are the details of how the VA loans work. With a VA direct loan, you shall work directly with the VA to apply for and manage the loan. Therefore, you can rest assured that you shall get the best offers and subsidized rates.

With a VA-backed loan, a part of the loan is offered by a private lender. The good thing for the lender is even if the loan goes into foreclosure; the guarantee allows them to recover a part of the loan. In addition, since the lender has lesser risk associated with these loans, you might have better offers.

The best thing about the VA loan is nearly 90% of VA-backed home loans are offered without a down payment. The lenders also follow the VA standards while offering VA-backed loans. They also need to meet specific requirements and criteria before offering a loan. These standards might include having a high credit score or getting an updated home appraisal.

That said, here is what you need to know about the different VA loan programs and how to apply for them.

1. Purchase loan

Are you a veteran planning to buy a home? Then, you might be eligible for a purchase loan. The purchase loans are VA-backed loans available for veterans with better terms than a private financial institution.

2. Native American Direct Loan

When it comes to housing help for the military, this is one of the best housing loans any veteran can avail. Are you a Native American married to Native American as well? Then, you can be eligible for a Native American Direct Loan to improve/repair a home on federal land.

3. Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan

Are you a veteran who already has a VA-backed loan? Then, you can be eligible for an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan. This will help you to reduce the monthly payments and help you enjoy higher savings.

4. Cash Out Refinance Loan

Do you want to take cash out of the home equity to pay off any debt, pay for school, or take care of any other needs? Then, the best option for you is to get the Cash Out Refinance Loan.

If you are a surviving spouse of a veteran and you want to opt for a VA-backed home loan, you shall need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to show the lender that you qualify for this facility. Also, you must meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to get the loan.

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Did you know? Only 27.3% of military families have their own homes. When asked why the remaining war veterans didn’t have a home, the most common answer was they couldn’t afford one. That’s why Habitat4Veterans connects homeless veterans with affordable housing options. We want to ensure that the number of homeless veterans is reduced to such an extent that there are no more homeless veterans left.

There is no denying that veterans experiencing homelessness is an ongoing challenge in the USA. If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness, Habitat4Veterans is here to help you get the resources available. You have earned housing assistance benefits through the service to our country. Here is what you need to know about housing assistance benefits.

The HUD–Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program combines multiple resources. This includes the housing choice voucher rental assistance for homeless veterans and the case management and clinical services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Homeless veterans get special consideration for housing within a joint program. The Department of HUD and the Veterans Administration Supportive Housing run the program. This is known as HUD-VASH. The program offers rental assistance to war veterans and families in the private market.

Eligibility Criteria for Housing support for military

The eligibility for the housing voucher depends on the VA. They determine the eligibility of every veteran. The veteran should also meet the criteria of the Homeless Assistance Act. The requirements are as follows:

• No proper night-time address.
• Living in a shelter situation might include:

1. A government-run charitable facility
2. Temporary housing-like vouchered hotels
3. Living in a place not designed for human habitation, for instance, a motor vehicle.
4. Living in imminent danger – for instance, the veteran might lose their home within a few weeks. This should include evidence like a court order or a credible oral statement from the veteran.
5. Homeless veterans and their families should meet the low-income criteria for the area where they are staying.

How does the Housing Support for Military Work?

The regional housing authorities have set aside specific housing vouchers that qualify for homeless vets. However, there is a waiting list for those vouchers. In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers grants and home loans. The program helps service members, veterans, and surviving spouses to buy, modify or refinance their homes.

The VA ensures part of the loan, meaning they shall cover a portion of the loan if a veteran defaults. When it comes to housing support for the military, if a veteran has a service-connected or age-related disability, The grant helps to modify the home for disabilities related to the military service or aging.

The eligible veterans can also opt for the VA cash-out refinance loan to access the money from their home equity. This money can help the veterans pay for home improvements, college costs, and more.

VA Loans for Housing Support for Family and Refinancing

If a veteran is planning to buy a home, the veteran must check into the variety of home loans offered by the VA. The most common is the VA purchase loans. The veterans won’t have to worry about the down payment and no private mortgage insurance. If you have an existing VA home loan, you can apply for an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan to save money with a better interest rate. Also, veterans with specific service-connected or aging-related disabilities can get housing help. In addition, they can qualify for special housing grants from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

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