HB3720, the HOME Act of 2025, amends federal veterans housing law to improve how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) supports veterans using VA-guaranteed home loans and housing-related benefits. The bill directs the VA to update lender guidance on determining whether a veteran has sufficient residual income, and it expands the list of entities the VA may coordinate with to include nonprofit financial service organizations. It also requires the VA to work with nonprofit veteran advocates to offer voluntary financial counseling to veterans purchasing homes with VA-backed loans.
The bill further creates a VA database of residences for sale that have been adapted for disabled veterans, if the seller chooses to include the property, and makes that database available to disabled veterans seeking such homes. In addition, it requires outreach to veterans living in U.S. territories to inform them about eligibility for benefits under the relevant housing program. Overall, the measure is aimed at improving access to homeownership, financial counseling, and accessible housing options for veterans.
Impact
The bill would amend Title 38 of the U.S. Code, primarily sections governing VA home loan guidance and housing adaptation benefits. It would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to coordinate with nonprofit financial service organizations, provide voluntary counseling referrals, maintain a searchable database of adapted homes for sale, and conduct targeted outreach to veterans in U.S. territories. These changes would affect VA administration, lenders participating in VA-guaranteed loans, nonprofit veteran service organizations, and disabled veterans or other veterans seeking accessible housing.
Sentiment
The available context suggests a generally positive and bipartisan posture toward the bill. It was introduced by Representatives King-Hinds and Van Orden and referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, then to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, with no recorded votes or committee transcript indicating opposition. The bill’s focus on veteran homeownership, financial literacy, and accessibility suggests broad support for its goals.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas for discussion could include the administrative burden on the VA to maintain a new housing database and conduct outreach, the scope of coordination with nonprofit organizations, and the voluntary nature of counseling and seller participation in the database. However, no recorded objections, amendments, or vote splits are available in the context provided.