U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA 5), joined by a number of bipartisan congressional representatives and senators, has introduced the Veterans Affairs Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2025 (VALID Act). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers home loans, potentially valued at thousands of dollars of savings over the life of a loan, but only 10-15 percent of eligible veterans utilize this benefit. Some states report utilization rates as low as 6 percent. Georgia has one of the highest veteran populations, somewhere around 700,000, and in 2023, there were 16,140 home purchase loans and 6,349 refinance loans issued in Georgia under the VA Home Loan program. The average loan amount was $326,395.
This legislation would update Federal Housing Administration (FHA) disclosures to include VA Home Loans alongside FHA and other common loan options. The bill also aims to provide lenders with information about applicant’s military service so they can share information about the VA loan option early in the homebuying journey.
“Our veterans have earned every benefit available to them — including the opportunity for affordable homeownership. Unfortunately, too many miss out on VA loan options because they are unaware of them. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the VALID Act that will ensure veterans can make fully informed decisions during the homebuying process. This legislation honors those who served and helps secure a better future for them and their families.”
The bill is getting support from the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), the Broker Action Coalition and the National Association of Realtors. Nearly one in ten veterans have experienced homelessness at some point, even years after completing their service. Increased housing costs are making home ownership more difficult and it is unlikely military wage increases have kept up with the jump in home prices.
“Why does it make any sense, at all, to disallow a veteran, like my husband, from reviewing, in a side-by-side view, of the actual written financial differences between the VA Home Loan when compared to a FHA Home Loan or a Conventional Home Loan? Updating the ‘informed consumer choice disclosure notice’ will close that loop,” said Lynn Jabs, Tacoma VAREP Chapter board member and National Legislative Chair at VAREP.
U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-CO, serves on the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance and represents the Denver area, another high veteran area.
“Our veterans put everything on the line to defend us, but far too often come home without the support they need,” said Pettersen. “No veteran should miss out on a benefit they’ve earned simply because they didn’t know it was an option. At a time when finding an affordable home is harder than ever, ensuring veterans have clear access to every funding resource available is critical. This legislation helps make homeownership possible and builds long-term stability for the brave men and women who’ve served our country.”
