JAMES Magazine Online: Nikema Williams Introduces Bipartisan Veteran Housing Bill

Baker Owens

Tuesday, June 10th, 2025

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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.