VA announces new program to help veterans experiencing financial hardship stay in their homes

VETERANS

On May 31, the Department of Veterans Affairs will launch a new program, the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program, to help more than 40,000 veterans experiencing severe financial hardship avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes, according to a press release.

The VASP program is a new, last-resort tool in VA’s comprehensive suite of home retention options for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses with VA-guaranteed home loans who are experiencing severe financial hardship. Through VASP, the VA will purchase defaulted VA loans from mortgage servicers, modify the loans, and then place them in VA-owned portfolio as direct loans. This will empower the VA to work directly with eligible veterans to adjust their loans and their monthly payments, so they can keep their homes. With VASP, these borrowers will have a fixed 2.5% interest rate, which will provide a consistent, affordable payments for the remainder of their loan.

The VA and the Biden-Harris Administration are committed to doing everything possible to prevent foreclosures for veterans and their families. Over the past several months, the VA has strongly encouraged a foreclosure moratorium through May 31, extended its COVID-19 modification program through May 31, and worked with veterans directly to help them retain their homes. In total, the VA helped more than 145,000 veterans and their families avoid foreclosure in 2023 alone.

Veterans will not apply directly for the VASP. Instead, beginning May 31, mortgage servicers will identify qualified borrowers and submit requests on behalf of veterans based on a review of all home retention options available and qualifying criteria. Veterans facing financial hardship should work with their mortgage servicers to explore available options.

Veterans who are having difficulty reaching a resolution with their mortgage servicer can contact VA at 877-827-3702, option 4 to learn more about the policy and the VASP program. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mvaa.

Military Appreciation Month has special meaning for Michigan business executive Josh Morris

Steering help to struggling veterans is an ongoing priority for Josh Morris, founder, and CEO of DQS Solutions & Staffing, and with May marking Military Appreciation Month, he’s committed to raising awareness to address the plight of heroes dealing with hardships.

Morris founded Foundation for Pops, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to economic empowerment and affordable housing through education, assistance and supportive services to homeless and veterans. Foundation for Pops was inspired by Morris’ grandfather’s hardships after returning from Vietnam. The foundation offers a variety of assistance for at-risk individuals, helping meet their essential needs and achieve a fresh start through employment and housing. The goal is getting at-risk veterans the services and support they need to get a fresh start.

Foundation for Pops is pursuing that goal with vigor this year, hiring its first executive director, Navy veteran Lakesha Hancock, and introducing a charity golf outing that will raise funds for the organization. The “Swing for Change” event is July 19 at Pheasant Run Golf Club in Canton.

Foundation for Pops will get a further boost of visibility Memorial Day weekend when it is the exclusive sponsor of the No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado in the May 24 North Carolina Education Lottery 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The truck is driven by Bayley Currey of Niece Motorsports, which welcomed DQS Staffing & Solutions as a partner earlier this year.

For more information about Foundation for Pops and the upcoming golf outing, call 1-833-POPS111 or visit https://foundationforpops.org.

Upcoming events

• The Holly Area Veterans Resource Center is temporarily located at The Holly Nazarene Church, at 961 E. Holly Road, about a quarter of a mile east of the Richter campus on the north side of the road. Their new mailing address is P.O. Box 254, Holly, MI, 48442. Joe Mishler’s phone number is 810-348-9960.

• Oxford American Legion Post 108 to host Euchre from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, and from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at 130 Drahner Road, Oxford. For more information, call 248-628-9081.

• Holly American Legion Post 149 to host Vet-to-Vet dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 20, at 408 S. Saginaw. All veterans and their significant others are welcome. Food is provided. For more information, call 810-348-9960.

• Clarkston American Legion Post 377 to host Bingo from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at 4819 Mary Sue Ave. For more information, call 248-673-9301.

• Oxford American Legion Post 108 to host Taco Tuesday Mexican Buffet from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 21; Chef’s Choice Buffet from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22; and fish dinners from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, May 24, at 130 Drahner Road, Oxford. For more information, call 248-628-9081.

The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info in the body of an email with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@aol.com. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events and include a phone number for readers to call for more information.