WASHINGTON — Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) has joined Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in reintroducing the VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025, a bipartisan initiative aimed at improving veterans’ awareness of the benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan Program.
“Our veterans gave so much to protect the American Dream, and we can help them as they work to achieve it themselves. Congress should pass this bill to make sure our brave warriors know about the home loan benefits they’ve earned,” Kennedy emphasized.
The VA Home Loan Program provides significant advantages to veterans, including zero down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and lower interest rates compared to conventional loans. However, only 13% of eligible veterans currently use this benefit, often due to a lack of awareness.
Legislation Highlights
The VA Home Loan Awareness Act seeks to address this gap by:
- Adding a Disclosure: Including a notice on the Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) to inform veterans of their eligibility for a VA Home Loan.
- Encouraging Consultation: Directing applicants to consult with their lenders for more information about the program.
- Conducting a Review: Instructing the Government Accountability Office to assess and report on lenders’ adoption of the updated URLA form.
“For decades, owning a home has been the bedrock of the American Dream, but too often, those who have put their lives on the line for our country have been hampered by a lack of information from their own government,” said Senator Sheehy.
Senator Van Hollen added, “After serving our country in uniform, our veterans deserve the support of a grateful nation. This bipartisan bill will help ensure more veterans and their families have the opportunity to achieve their goal of homeownership.”
Bipartisan Support
The legislation has garnered bipartisan backing, with co-sponsors including Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and others, reflecting a broad commitment to empowering veterans with the resources they need.
Kennedy first co-sponsored this bill in the 118th Congress in November 2023, underscoring his ongoing commitment to supporting Louisiana’s veterans and their families.
The full text of the bill is available here.