Buying a home is an exciting — and sometimes expensive — time. Fortunately, for Veterans and military homebuyers, there are quite a few resources that can help with those costs.

From national loan programs, grants and tax credits to state, local and nonprofit offerings, there are loads of assistance options for military homebuyers in need.

Want help on your homebuying journey? Here are the resources to keep in mind as you get started.

Why Homeownership Matters for Veterans

Homeownership is part of the American Dream, and for military service members and Veterans, it can be an even more special achievement.

For current military members, it can offer a space for calm and respite while bravely serving their country. For Veterans, it means a place to put down roots and find stability after a life of duty tours and PCS moves.

The great news is military service comes with several benefits that can help active-duty members and Veterans achieve these dreams — often more affordably than would have otherwise been possible. These benefits include the VA home loan program, housing counseling and various assistance programs across the country.

Keep reading to learn more about these benefits now.

Understanding the VA Home Loan Program

The VA loan program is a keystone benefit of military service. Not only can it help Veterans and military members easily finance a home purchase, but its unique features can also drastically reduce both the upfront and long-term costs associated with that purchase. Here’s what you need to know about the VA loan program and its benefits.

Key Benefits of VA Loans

The biggest benefit of the VA loan program is that it requires no down payment. This can allow military members and Veterans to purchase a home much sooner than may have otherwise been possible (there’s no need to scrimp and save for many years for a down payment).

VA loans also typically come with lower interest rates than other loan programs, which means a lower monthly payment and less paid in interest over the long haul.

Finally, there is no mortgage insurance requirement with the VA loan program. This also reduces your costs as a homeowner and can allow you to build equity faster.

Eligibility & How to Get Started

Only qualifying military service members, Veterans and eligible surviving spouses can utilize the VA loan program. For current service members, you must have served at least 90 continuous days of active service or 24 continuous months. You can also qualify if you were discharged under what the VA calls a “qualifying exception” or due to a service-connected disability.

For Veterans, eligibility depends on when you served. You can see a full breakdown of VA loan requirements by service period at VA.gov. Some National Guard and Reserve members can also qualify for the VA loan program. In most cases, you’ll need at least 90 days of active-duty service or six years of total service.

To prove you meet these requirements, you’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility. You can request your COE online, or your lender — as long as you choose one that’s experienced in VA loans — can usually request one on your behalf. You will also need additional documentation when applying for your VA loan. These include financial documents like W-2s, tax returns, pay stubs, benefit award letters, bank account statements and more. Your loan officer will let you know what paperwork you need to provide when you apply.

Types of Properties & Limitations

While borrowers must meet certain requirements to use the VA loan program, the home they’re buying must adhere to specific standards, too. First, only primary residences are eligible for VA financing. The property also must be a single-family home, approved condo or multi-family property with you living in one of the units. In some cases, manufactured and modular homes may also be eligible.

Beyond this, the home must also meet the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements, or MPRs, which ensure the property is safe for living and a good long-term investment for buyers. The list of MPRs is long and covers things like road access, mechanical systems, heating, water supply, zoning, roofing, sewage, paint, pests and more. A VA appraiser will need to confirm the property meets these requirements before your loan can move forward.

VA Homebuying: Your 5 Steps to Success

Homeownership Education & Counseling

VA buyers also have access to pre-purchase housing counseling and financial literacy education, which can help ensure you’re not only qualified to become a homeowner, but that you’re prepared to make your payments, too.

Some resources for this education include:

  • HUD-approved housing counseling agencies: These agencies provide comprehensive housing counseling for homebuyers and existing homeowners. Often, their services are free.
  • Veterans Housing Counseling Program (VHCP): The VA also provides housing counseling for service members, Veterans and their spouses.
  • Local nonprofit veteran financial literacy workshops: Many nonprofit and community organizations offer financial literacy courses and workshops, and there are often virtual options, too. Two examples include the National Financial Educators Council’s free finance course and Money Management International’s Military Reconnect program. You should also check with Veterans and military groups in your area for more info.

Partnering with an experienced VA lender, loan officer and real estate agent can ensure you’re getting the education and preparation help you need before buying a home. You should also research proper home maintenance to ensure you can keep your home in good condition for the long haul.

Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance for Homebuying Veterans

While you don’t have to make a down payment with a VA loan, you can choose to, and it can help reduce your payment and build up equity faster. Either way, you will also owe closing costs on a VA loan. These typically amount to about 2% to 6% of your total loan balance.

If you need help covering these costs or your down payment, there are resources that can help.

National & Nonprofit Programs

A number of national organizations and nonprofit groups offer assistance to Veterans and military homebuyers.

These include:

  • Veterans Housing Alliance: This nonprofit organization offers grants to help Veterans with down payments and closing costs, as well as homebuyer education programs.
  • Operation Homefront: Operation Homefront’s Permanent Homes for Veterans program offers mortgage-free homes for Veterans who complete a two-year homeownership and financial education course.
  • Homes4WoundedHeroes: This program provides mortgage-free homes to Veterans who were wounded in combat. It also includes three years of financial mentoring.
  • Military Housing Assistance Fund: MHAF offers gift funds for active military members and Veterans to use toward closing costs.
  • Soldier Next Door: A part of the National Home Buying Program, this offers grants and down payment assistance to active duty military members and Veterans. Down payment assistance up to $15,000 is available.

Keep in mind that many of these can be used in tandem with VA loans, giving you both closing costs/down payment help and the low rates and low fees of the VA mortgage program.

Statewide Programs

Individual states often have programs designed for military members and Veterans, too. In Texas, for example, there’s the Homes for Texas Heroes program, which offers down payment assistance and loans to active military and Veterans, and there’s also the Texas Veterans Land Board, which has similar offerings. CalVet, California’s state VA department, offers home loans and dedicated housing.

To determine if your state offers any Veteran or military homebuying assistance options like these, visit your state’s housing agency or VA website. A housing counselor in your state can also assist you in finding state resources.

Local Programs

Local housing authorities, VA offices and military groups may also offer closing cost and down payment assistance in your area. Houston, for example, has a homebuyer assistance program for low-income residents. Check your city or county’s housing department website, or ask your loan officer or real estate agent for guidance. If they’re local, they should know of resources in your area that can be of help.

VA Grants for Disabled Veterans

If you or your spouse is a Veteran with a service-connected disability, you may be able to get a grant to help build, adapt or purchase a home that meets your unique needs. This can help you or your Veteran live independently and confidently. Some options include:

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

This grant allows you to buy, build or change your home to accommodate your mobility and accessibility needs as a disabled person. These grants go up to a maximum of $121,812 for 2025, though this amount can change annually. You can use these grants multiple times — within limits, if necessary.

Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant

This is a similar grant, though it’s limited to only those with very specific service-connected disabilities – severe burns, the loss of use of both hands or certain respiratory or breathing injuries. They can be used to cover home adaptations, like installing ramps, widening doorways or adding an accessible bathroom. These grants go up to $24,405 for 2025.

Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant

These are grants you can use to modify a temporary residence. You can use one if you’re staying in a family member’s home, but you need certain accessibility modifications made as you recover or transition to more permanent housing. These go up to $49,062 for 2025.

In the case of all three of the above grants, you can apply through your VA eBenefits portal or using VA Form 26-4555.

Programs for All Homebuyers (Not Veteran-Specific)

There are many homebuying assistance programs available to the general public, and these are worth exploring, too — even as a military member or Veteran. You can use these in lieu of or in addition to your VA benefits.

Federal Assistance Programs

A number of federal programs can help you buy a home more affordably, depending on your goals, career and finances.

Options include:

  • FHA loans: These offer down payments as low as 3.5% and allow for lower credit scores. They tend to have lower interest rates than conventional loans.
  • USDA loans: If you’re willing to buy a home in a more rural part of the country, a USDA loan can help. These require zero down payment.
  • Good Neighbor Next Door: If you’ve become a teacher, firefighter, first responder or police officer since entering civilian life, you may be able to use this program, which offers low-cost single-family homes to public servants.

First-Time Homebuyer Assistance

There are many programs dedicated specifically to helping first-time homebuyers. Some of these include Mortgage Credit Certificates, a type of federal tax credit that can reduce your annual tax burden, or mortgage interest write-offs, which allow you to deduct the interest you pay from your taxable income.

There are also state-level programs that can help, too. The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, for instance, has a first-time buyer’s tax credit and a home loan program just for first-timers.

Certain loan programs can also be good options for first-time buyers. Fannie Mae’s HomeReady and Freddie Mac’s Home Possible mortgages are two such examples.

Energy Efficiency & Renovation Programs

If you’re looking to improve an existing home’s energy efficiency or accessibility features, or you want to buy a home and fix it up, there are other options you can explore, including:

  • FHA 203(k) loans: These allow you to roll the costs of certain repair and renovation projects into your mortgage balance.
  • Weatherization Assistance Program: This Department of Energy program helps homeowners increase the energy efficiency of their properties.
  • Inflation Reduction Act: Under the Inflation Reduction Act, homeowners can qualify for various rebates and tax credits for making certain energy updates.

Again, many of these programs can also be used simultaneously with the VA loan program, giving you additional savings where possible. To be sure, though, talk with your loan officer about any assistance you’re considering using. They’ll make sure it can be combined and used toward your home purchase.

How Homefront Helps Veterans

While not an assistance program per se, Homefront is another tool in your arsenal as a Veteran or military homebuyer. You can view home listings, estimate monthly payments, list your home and more.

We can also connect you to VA-savvy real estate agents who can give you specialized guidance as a Veteran or military homebuyer. They’ll ensure you have the smoothest, most affordable VA home purchase possible.

Conclusion

The path to homeownership as a Veteran or military member comes with unique advantages. Between VA loans, national grants, state programs and local assistance options, there are numerous ways to make your home purchase more affordable.

The key is knowing what's available and finding the right combination of resources for your situation. Start by exploring your VA loan eligibility, then research federal, state, and local programs that might apply to you. Working with professionals who understand military benefits — whether that's a VA-experienced lender, a knowledgeable real estate agent, or a HUD-approved housing counselor — can help you navigate your options and find the best path forward.

Your service has earned you these benefits. Take advantage of them as you work toward homeownership.