Malliotakis, Meng Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Housing Benefits for NYC Veterans

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today U.S. Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) and Grace Meng (NY-06) announced the introduction of the Fair Access to Co-Ops for Veterans Act (H.R.7703), a bipartisan bill to make it easier for veterans in New York City and across the nation to purchase co-ops. 

The legislation would expand the Veterans Home Loan Guarantee program to include co-ops, allowing the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to guarantee co-op loans taken out by veterans. The bill would also direct the VA to advertise this co-op program to eligible veterans, participating lenders, and interested realtors.

"With co-ops accounting for roughly a quarter of the housing market in New York City, it’s critically important that we ensure access to these properties for our veterans who’ve sacrificed so much for our nation," Congresswoman Malliotakis said. "I’m proud to join Rep. Meng in introducing this bipartisan legislation to make co-ops available for VA home loans, expand affordable housing options for our veterans and make their post-service lives a little bit easier."

"The VA home loan program has been a transformative benefit for servicemembers for 80 years," Rep. Meng said during a recent hearing in support of the bill. "But this program cannot be fully enjoyed by New Yorkers who served in our armed forces. In New York City about two in three apartment buildings are co-ops…Co-ops on average are more affordable in New York than condos or homes. They offer a realistic way for New Yorkers to own their place and build equity. Currently, a veteran or service member can use their VA home loan to purchase a condo, a townhome, a mobile home, or a manufactured home, but not a co-op. It is our job to serve those who serve us. So, let’s serve them by increasing the accessibility of homeownership to more veterans…Let’s give veterans and servicemembers access to co-ops." 

In 2006, Congress passed a bill creating a five-year pilot program allowing veterans to purchase cooperative housing. Prior to this legislation the VA Home Loans program could not be used for co-ops. However, the pilot program expired in 2011 and has not been renewed since. 

"Throughout our history, young men and women put their lives on hold when they raise their right hand and swear an oath of allegiance to defend our country through service to our nation," said Raymond Aalbue, Executive Director, United Military Veterans of Kings County. "This legislation, the Fair Access to Co-Ops for Veterans Act, H.R. 7703, gives our Veterans when they come home more opportunity to own a place of their own. It will enhance the quality of life for Veterans, especially in New York City where the cost of living is high, and even “affordable housing” is expensive…..our Veterans deserve it. Thanks to U.S. Representatives Nicole Malliotakis and Grace Meng for spearheading this important bipartisan legislation." 

"The Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act brings our veterans to the level of equality, for which they fought for, died, and made sacrifices without question in the name of dignity," said Vietnam Veteran Sgt. Michael Sulsona, a Staten Island resident who currently serves as a Veterans Service Officer. "To properly care for those who gave their all, we as a nation can only insure our veterans receive no less than what they have given us." 

Kristina Keenan, Deputy Director of National Legislative Service at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) said: "The VFW supports the Fair Access to Co-Ops for Veterans Act to extend the VA home lean to veterans seeking to purchase residential cooperative housing or co-op. Most of the co-op housing in the United States is located in New York, which has statistically lower rates of veteran homeownership. We have worked with the New York City Department of Veteran Affairs, which brought this issue to our attention. Expanding VA home loans to include co-ops would help provide long-term housing stability for more veterans around the country."

Marquis Barefield, Assistant National Legislative Director at Disabled Veterans of America (DAV) said: "DAV also supports H.R.7703 the supports the Fair Access to Co-Ops for Veterans Act. The ability for service-disabled veterans and their families to have more options to obtain affordable housing in some areas of the country is of extreme importance…In many places where affordable housing is scarce, these co-ops offer families the opportunity to find housing that meets their needs. Affordable housing options are a top priority for service-disabled veterans, especially those transitioning from active duty." 

The Veterans Home Loan Guarantee program helps Veterans, service members, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. Through the program, loans are provided by private lenders with the VA guaranteeing up to 50 percent, allowing the lender to offer more favorable terms.