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119-hr-10590119th CongressWALLET

Veteran Owner-Builders Rights Act

Sponsored By: Representative Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would create a five-year VA pilot to provide direct, low-rate construction loans to rural veterans to buy land and build homes they will occupy. It links loans to strict underwriting, a 24-month occupancy rule, a domestic-lumber preference, and fast-tracked local permitting to speed construction and support rural homeownership.

Show full summary
  • Veterans and households: Would let eligible rural veterans get VA loans for land purchase and home construction at about 1 percent interest, subject to underwriting and a requirement to occupy the home for 24 months.
  • Local governments and permitting: Projects using supplied blueprints must get a construction permit within 45 days, with the Secretary covering the permit fee to speed approvals.
  • Builders and materials supply: Construction must use domestic lumber for all structural framing and domestically sourced or made wood products for non-structural parts to the maximum extent practicable.
  • Federal program rules and administration: The pilot would run for five years, require furnished blueprints and technical assistance, and updates a VA loan-fee date in law.

*Would increase federal spending by $5.0 million in FY2027 to fund the pilot.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Low-interest rural home loans for veterans

If enacted, VA would start a five-year pilot to make direct loans so veterans can buy land in a rural area and build a home. You would be able to get a loan with a 1 percent interest rate if you meet underwriting rules for income, credit, property suitability, and loan value limits. The bill would require VA-provided blueprints (set within 30 days), domestic lumber for structural framing, VA-paid permit fees, and technical help. You would have to own and occupy the home as your main home for 24 consecutive months after construction, and selling, leasing, or letting others live there before 24 months could make the loan immediately due unless VA waives repayment for deployment, PCS, medical hardship, or other unavoidable reasons. The pilot would start within 180 days of enactment, end five years after enactment, and Congress would authorize $5 million for FY2027 for loans.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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