A measure aimed at helping veterans at risk of losing their homes is set to become law after the Senate approved the measure Tuesday night.
In a voice vote, the Senate passed the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act (H.R. 1815) establishing a partial claims program, which will allow veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-backed home loans to defer missed mortgage payments.
The legislation also permits the VA to give direct financial support to transitional housing groups through the Grant and Per Diem program, a step advocates believe will simplify aid for homeless veterans.
The measure’s approval comes less than three months after the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the termination of the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program, which began in late May 2024. The program was designed to purchase defaulted VA loans from outside mortgage servicers.
Officials have not yet provided a timeline for when the new partial claim program will begin accepting applications. On Wednesday, lawmakers urged the VA and mortgage lenders to maintain close cooperation during the program’s rollout to help ease the burden on veterans facing financial hardship, while the VA works to properly establish the new system.
The measure, which cleared the House in May, now heads to President Donald Trump for signature.
