WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced legislation today to raise the maximum guaranty amount for veterans' home loans.  The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, passed by Congress and signed into law last month, raised loan limits for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA home loans, but inadvertently did not do so for the VA Home Loan Program.  Akaka's legislation would provide needed relief to veterans struggling to purchase homes in an uncertain economy.  Akaka was joined by a bipartisan group of cosponsors: Senators Reid, Durbin, Burr, Rockefeller, Murray, Obama, Sanders, Brown, Baucus, Clinton, Kerry and Boxer.  

"In a time of national housing crisis, we will not leave our veterans out in the cold.  At the very least, they deserve the same loan opportunities as other Americans," said Akaka. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs projects that, if passed, his bill would make home ownership a reality for thousands of additional veterans. 

Senator Akaka's floor statement introducing the bill is copied below:

            Today I introduce a bill that would rectify an oversight made in the recent passage of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.  If enacted, this bill will allow thousands of veterans to realize the American dream of owning a home.  Senators Reid, Durbin, Burr, Rockefeller, Murray, Obama, Sanders, Brown, Baucus, Clinton, Kerry and Boxer join me in offering this legislation.

            The VA Home Loan Guaranty was part of the original GI Bill in 1944.  It was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and provided veterans with a federally guaranteed home loan with no down payment.  So, as World War II was ending, landmark legislation made the dream of home ownership a reality for millions of returning veterans.  They were able to build new homes and otherwise begin new lives following their service and with the assistance of the federal government.   

            Today, more than 25 million veterans and servicemembers are eligible for VA home loan guarantees.  Eligibility extends to veterans who served on active duty for a minimum of 90 days during wartime or a minimum of 181 continuous days during peacetime, and have a discharge other than dishonorable.  Members of the Guard and Reserve who have never been called to active duty must serve a total of six years in order to be eligible.  Certain surviving spouses are also eligible for the housing guarantee. 

            The amount of the home loan guaranty was last adjusted by the Veterans Benefits Act of 2004.  The maximum guaranty amount was increased to 25 percent of the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit determined under section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act for a single family residence, as adjusted for the year involved.  Using that formula, since the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit for a single family residence in 2008 is $417,000, VA will guaranty a veteran's loan up to $104,250, or 25 percent of the Freddie Mac limit.  This guaranty exempts homeowners from having to make a down payment or secure private mortgage insurance.

            The newly-enacted Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, however, temporarily reset the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA home loan guarantee limits to 125 percent of metropolitan-area median home prices, without reference to the VA home loan program.  This had the effect of raising the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac limits to nearly $730,000, in the highest cost areas, while leaving the VA limit of $417,000 in place. 

            The measure I am introducing today would correct the oversight in the Economic Stimulus Act and extend the temporary increase to veterans as well.    

            Unlike the economic stimulus legislation, my legislation would extend the temporary increase to December 31, 2011, rather than just through 2008.  This would enable more veterans to utilize their VA benefit to purchase a home.  In fact, VA expects that there would be an increase of approximately 4,313 loans as a result of increasing the VA loan limit through December 2011. 

            I urge all of my colleagues to support this measure, so that this important group of Americans might reap the benefits of an increased home loan guaranty in this time of economic uncertainty. 

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