WASHINGTON, DC (June 10, 2025) |
On Monday morning, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) wrote to both Chairman Steve Womack and Ranking Member Jim Clyburn of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, as well as Chairman Ken Calvert and Ranking Member Betty McCollum of the Subcommittee on Defense House Committee on Appropriations. In its correspondence, DCUC called for congressional action to improve housing access and financial security for America’s military and veteran communities.
DCUC’s letter was sent ahead for the official record of both Subcommittees’ hearings today, titled “FY2026 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,” featuring testimony from HUD Secretary Scott Turner, and “Oversight of the Department of Defense.”
“Stable, affordable housing isn’t a luxury for service members and veterans—it’s a direct contributor to mission readiness, family resilience, and long-term economic security,” says Jason Stverak, Chief Advocacy Officer at DCUC. “We urge Congress to act with urgency and precision in addressing the persistent barriers that military families face.”
DCUC: The Trusted Financial Partner for the Defense Community
Founded in 1963, the Defense Credit Union Council is the leading voice for all credit unions serving nearly 40 million servicemembers, veterans, DoD, and military families. DCUC’s members, America’s defense credit unions, operate on or near U.S. military installations worldwide, providing tailored financial services that support active-duty personnel, transitioning service members, retirees and veterans, DoD civilians, and their families.
DCUC’s letter commended the Subcommittee for prioritizing housing affordability, especially for vulnerable populations, including these defense-related communities. Housing shortages and rising prices place a disproportionate burden on military families—many of whom are already navigating the stresses of deployment, relocation, or transition to civilian life.
One of DCUC’ top policy priorities is advancing the VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025.
DCUC expressed strong support for the VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill that would add a simple yet powerful disclosure to the Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA):
“You may be eligible for a VA Home Loan. Please consult your lender for more information.”
Despite offering no down payment, no PMI, and favorable terms, the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program remains significantly underutilized—largely because many eligible veterans are unaware they qualify.
“Too many veterans leave benefits on the table. This one-sentence fix can change that, at no cost to taxpayers,” says Stverak.
DCUC urged the Subcommittee to strengthen housing access and affordability for military and veteran families by supporting the following measures:
- Enhance HUD–DoD Coordination: Improve collaboration between HUD and the Department of Defense to better align housing initiatives with base-level readiness needs.
- Expand HUD-Supported Programs in Military Communities: Allocate additional Housing Choice Vouchers and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for regions with high concentrations of military families and limited on-base housing.
- Promote Public-Private Partnerships: Replicate successful models from the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) to increase supply and improve quality in high need defense communities.
- Streamline VA Loan Processes: Work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to simplify appraisals and underwriting, which continue to delay closings and frustrate lenders and borrowers.
- Support Military-Specific Housing Counseling: Increase funding for HUD-certified housing counseling agencies that specialize in guiding service members through the homebuying process.
“Housing insecurity doesn’t just affect a family—it affects unit readiness, retention, and recruitment,” reminds Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO and retired Air Force Colonel. “If we want to maintain an all-volunteer force, we must ensure that those who serve can afford to live where they serve.”
DCUC stands ready to work with Congress, HUD, and the Department of Defense to craft solutions that reflect the real-world needs of military families.