Bill Summary
The "Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act" is legislation aimed at expanding eligibility for housing loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. It specifically targets members of the reserve components and the National Guard who perform certain duties.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Expanded Definition of Active Duty**: The bill clarifies what constitutes "active duty" for housing loan eligibility. It includes various types of service for both regular and reserve forces, such as active duty, inactive-duty training, and specific full-time duties in the National Guard.
2. **Retroactive Applicability**: The changes will apply to service performed on or after September 11, 2001.
3. **Eligibility for Additional Personnel**: The legislation allows individuals who have completed at least 14 days of active duty service to qualify for housing loans, even if they would not otherwise be eligible. These individuals must also continue their service until completing entry-level and skill training.
4. **Additional Loan Fee**: For those newly eligible under this act, there will be an additional loan fee added to the standard housing loan fees.
5. **Notification Requirement**: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will be responsible for informing eligible service members about their new housing loan benefits.
Overall, this act aims to improve access to housing loans for military personnel, enhancing support for members of the National Guard and reserve components.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act" could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Housing Loans for Reservists**: Members of the reserve components and the National Guard who may not have previously qualified for housing loans can now access guaranteed loans after serving as little as 14 days on active duty. This change can provide these service members with opportunities to secure affordable housing, thereby improving their living conditions and stability for themselves and their families.
2. **Financial Implications of Additional Loan Fees**: While the Act expands eligibility for housing loans, it also introduces an additional loan fee for those who qualify under the new criteria (section 3701(b)(8)). This could mean that individuals who did not previously have to pay such fees will now face a financial burden when applying for a loan, influencing their ability to purchase homes or manage monthly payments effectively.
3. **Enhanced Awareness and Outreach**: The requirement for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify eligible personnel about their housing loan benefits ensures that more members of the National Guard and reserve components are aware of their rights and benefits. This proactive communication could lead to greater utilization of available resources, ultimately helping service members make informed decisions regarding home ownership and financial planning.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7009 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7009
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for
housing loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
members of the reserve components and the National Guard who perform
certain duties, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 12, 2026
Mr. Barrett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for
housing loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
members of the reserve components and the National Guard who perform
certain duties, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Home Affordability for Guard and
Reserve Act''.
SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS AND
THE NATIONAL GUARD FOR GUARANTEED HOUSING LOANS.
(a) Expanded Definition of ``Active Duty'' for Purposes of Housing
Loans.--Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(9) The term `active duty' has the meanings as follows:
``(A) In the case of members of the regular
components of the Armed Forces, the meaning given such
term in section 101(21)(A).
``(B) In the case of members of the reserve
components of the Armed Forces--
``(i) service on active duty (as defined in
section 101(d) of title 10), inactive-duty
training (as defined in section 101(d) of title
10), or annual training duty; or
``(ii) service on active duty under a call
or order to active duty under section 688,
12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12301(h), 12302,
12304, 12304a, or 12304b of title 10 or section
713 of title 14, but not including inactive
duty training (as defined in section 101(d) of
title 10) or annual training duty.
``(C) In the case of a member of the Army National
Guard of the United States or Air National Guard of the
United States, in addition to service described in
subparagraph (B), full-time service--
``(i) in the National Guard of a State for
the purpose of organizing, administering,
recruiting, instructing, or training the
National Guard;
``(ii) in the National Guard when
performing full-time National Guard duty (as
defined in section 101 of title 32); or
``(iii) in the National Guard when
performing active duty (as defined in section
101 of title 32).''.
(b) Retroactive Applicability to Service Performed.--The amendments
made by this section shall apply with respect to any service performed
on or after September 11, 2001.
SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR GUARANTEED HOUSING LOANS TO
CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL UPON PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL
LOAN FEE.
(a) Expansion to Individuals With at Least 14 Days of Service.--
Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after paragraph (7) the following new paragraph:
``(8) The term `veteran' also includes, for purposes of
home loans (subject to the additional loan fee in section
3729(b)(4)(J) of this title), an individual who--
``(A) is not otherwise eligible for the benefits of
this chapter;
``(B) has completed a total service of at least 14
days on active duty under paragraph (B) or (C) of
paragraph (9); and
``(C) following completion of such service,
continued to serve until the completion of entry level
and skill training (as defined in section 3301(3) of
this title).''.
(b) Basic Entitlement.--Section 3702(a)(2) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(H) Each individual described in section 3701(b)(8) of
this title.''.
(c) Additional Loan Fee for Such Individuals.--Section 3729(b)(4)
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(J) In the case of a housing loan in which the veteran
has eligibility under section 3701(b)(8) of this title and does
not otherwise have eligibility, the loan fee table in paragraph
(2) shall be applied to the veteran or other obligor (as
applicable) by adding 1.00 to the percentage in the table.''.
(d) Notification to Personnel.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall ensure that each member of a reserve component or a member of the
Army National Guard of the United States or Air National Guard of the
United States who completes entry level and skill training (as defined
in section 3301(3) of title 38, United States Code) after the date of
the enactment of this Act is notified of their eligibility for housing
loan benefits under chapter 37 of such title, including eligibility
(subject to the additional loan fee) under section 3701(b)(8) of such
title.
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