Episode 14: All About Housing as a Veteran

The Veteran Saves Team brings to you a special Veteran-focused mini-series to celebrate Veteran Saves Week, a 4 day event encouraging Veterans, transitioning servicemembers, and their families or caregivers to do a financial check-in and gain a clear view of their finances. 

On Day 3 of Veterans Saves Week, Krystel and Amelia tackle the unique housing challenges veterans face and share valuable resources for securing affordable housing. Whether you're working toward homeownership, renting, or facing other housing hurdles, today's episode is packed with practical tips and guidance to help you meet your housing needs.

During the episode, we’ll dive into... 

Segments:

• Save or Skip:
  In today's "Save or Skip" segment, we explore what to do if you’re a veteran facing a rent increase that could strain your budget. We offer a balanced approach to help you decide if you should "save" by staying put with support or "skip" and look for a new home.

• Homeownership Support:

  • VA Loans: Learn how VA loans provide competitive rates, often with no down payment, to help veterans achieve homeownership. We discuss why it’s essential to compare offers to ensure you're getting the best deal.
  • VA Grants for Home Modifications: Discover how these grants can help veterans modify their homes to improve accessibility, especially for those with disabilities.

• Resources for Current Homeowners:

  • If you're a homeowner facing financial challenges, we discuss housing counselors and VA services that can help you stay on top of mortgage payments.

• Rental Assistance and Tenant Rights:

  • HUD-VASH Program: A collaborative program between HUD and the VA that provides rental assistance vouchers to unhoused veterans.
  • Affordable Rental Resources: Veterans not yet ready to buy can find affordable rental housing through VA resources and local organizations.
  • Tenant Rights: Knowing your rights protects you from unfair practices and discrimination in housing.

• Support for Unhoused Veterans:

  • For veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness, the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans connects them to local support to stabilize their housing situation.

Links & Resources:

Resources for Veterans Having Difficulty Making Mortgage Payments

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)   is committed to ending Veteran homelessness and works with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to offer programs for housing vouchers for Veterans in need of permanent housing.  

The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans  helps Veterans in need of immediate assistance to avoid eviction or loss of housing. Trained VA counselors are on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help. You can reach them at 1-877-4AID VET or (877) 424-3838. 

Veterans Matter helps house homeless veterans and their families who qualify for VA/HUD-VASH housing vouchers. It is a nationwide program that works to help veterans find housing quickly by helping with rental deposits and first month’s rent. You can reach them by calling (567) 698-7838. 

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) provides emergency and supportive housing along with food, health services, job training, and placement assistance.  Their website also offers a searchable database that you can use to find organizations in your state that provide services. You can reach them by calling 1-800-VET-HELP or 1-800-838-4357.  

You can find additional resources in your area by searching the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s  Federal Rental Assistance webpage. There you can find out what assistance is available, what it covers, how it works, and who is eligible.   

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Tune in tomorrow for the final day of Veteran Saves Week, where we'll discuss the financial transition from military to civilian life.

Remember: Veterans deserve accessible, affordable housing, and support is available to help at every stage.