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VA Guaranteed Home Loans for Veterans
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
Discrimination in the sale of housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial
status or national origin is prohibited by Federal laws. In November 1962, Executive Order 11063
banned discrimination in all federally assisted housing. The "Fair Housing Law," Title VIII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1968, followed by amending legislation, required positive action be
taken by Federal agencies to prevent discrimination in all housing. Further, title VIII
protects you from the following acts when they are based on discrimination on account of
race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin:
- Refusal to deal,
- Discrimination in terms of sale,
- Discriminatory advertising,
- False representations that a dwelling is not available,
- Blockbusting,
- Discrimination in financing, and
- Discrimination in real estate services.
- These laws provide every person an equal opportunity to choose suitable housing.
The Department of Veterans Affairs affirmatively administers the VA housing program by assuring
that all veterans are given an equal opportunity to buy homes with VA assistance. All VA program
participants-builders, brokers and lenders offering housing for sale with VA financing-must comply
with Executive Order 11063 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended.
Builders must sell newly constructed homes with VA financing to eligible veterans without regard to
the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin of the veteran.
Brokers participating in the VA home loan program must not discriminate against a person on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin by refusing to show or
sell a property; by discriminating in the terms of the sale; or by representing that property as
not available for inspection.
Lenders participating in the VA loan program are required by the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as
amended, to act on applications for VA home loans without regard to the race, color, religion,
sex, handicap, familial status or national origin of the veteran. In addition, the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act prohibits a lender from discriminating against an applicant on the basis of the
foregoing, or on the basis of age or marital status; because an applicant's income derives from
any public assistance program; or because the applicant has exercised any right under the Consumer
Credit Protection Act. Lenders are also prohibited from discouraging applications on these grounds.
To ensure that each applicant is fully aware of his or her rights under the Equal Credit Opportunity
Act, a lender must provide each applicant with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act Notice and a written
statement of the reasons when credit is denied.
Therefore, if you are seeking to use your entitlement to buy a home, you may be assured that VA
will protect your civil rights and equal housing opportunity.
The following actions, when based on discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap,
familial status, or national origin, are recognized violations of the Federal fair housing law:
- Refusal to negotiate to sell property.
- Discrimination in terms or conditions of sale of real property.
- Advertising indicating any racial, religious, ethnic or gender preference.
- False representations that real property is not available for inspection or ale.
- Blockbusting or inducing owners to sell real property by representations regarding entry into the neighborhood of persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin for profit.
- Discrimination in financing, terms or conditions of a loan, or denying a loan.
If you experience or suspect discrimination by a builder, broker, or lender, the local VA office will
investigate. To start a VA investigation, submit a written complaint directly to the local VA office.
Your complaint must describe the discriminatory action, including the date it occurred, names,
addresses and telephone numbers of all parties involved in the action, and the address of the
property involved. VA has a form for this purpose (VA Form 26-8827, Housing Discrimination
Complaint) which you may request from your local VA office.
You should note that in many localities fair housing associations have been organized to assist
you in locating and purchasing a house of your choosing. There may be such an organization in
your area.
When the discrimination concerns HUD/FHA (Department of Housing and Urban Development/Federal
Housing Administration) home loans and other housing, complaint letters should be sent to the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity, Washington, D.C. 20410.
If you are unable to find new homes available for sale with VA financing in your area or if you
are unable to determine whether particular homes being built are available for sale with VA
financing, we suggest you contact the local VA regional office. In addition, in many areas VA
has repossessed homes which it will sell to qualified buyers. Inquiry as to the availability
of any VA repossessed homes for sale in the area in which you are interested may be made by
contacting local real estate brokers.
Another area to be explored is the existence of State benefits. Many States offer housing programs
which are independent from federal programs. The programs and benefits, as well as the qualifying
criteria, may differ from one State to the next. Information on State programs may be obtained
from State officials or from the local VA regional office.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION # 16 [ -more VA Loan questions- ]
- - - - - -
Q: A One-Time Deal / What is the one-time exception for renewing VA eligibility?
A: A VA certificate of eligibility is renewable on a one-time basis. You qualify if the existing VA loan is paid in full, but you still own the property. Under the rules, you ordinarily must prove the property has been sold, but thanks to the one-time exception you may renew the VA certificate of eligibility. All you need to do is complete VA form 26-1880 and send it to the nearest VA Eligibility Center. Remember that getting released from liability for a VA loan or having a debt waived by the VA is not the same as paying off the loan. In that case you'll have to pay back the government's loss. Once that is done, the certificate of eligibility may be renewed.
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