Rt jan15 pages final

MORTGAGE PROTECTIONS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS CFPB writes new mortgage rules that can help financial challenges. PAGE 5

VAREP IN THE COMMUNITY The Veterans Housing Summits are a huge success, and continue to develop accross the nation.

Read about our the Phoenix VHS Event. PAGE 17

FEATURED STORY

House a vet initiative JANUARY 2015

VAREP NATIONAL NEWS

A Letter From Our President

ROGER THAT JANUARY 2015

Dear VAREP Members, I present you “RT – ROGER THAT January 2015”

EDITORIAL

E-Zine Newsletter. This is the best way for

PUBLISHER USA Homeownership, Inc. DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals

VAREP National to communicate happenings within our organization to our membership.

VAREP experienced tremendous growth and

EDITOR Denise DiSalvo

recognition in 2014 for the important work

CR E AT I VE

that we do. Each of you should be proud

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Heather Nelson

and stand tall knowing that your passion to empower veterans to realize the American Dream of homeownership has enabled VAREP to be recognized by key leaders in the real estate, financial, and government sectors as the authority on, and voice of, military and veteran financial-literacy and homeownership.

VAREP ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2014 ï

Two homes donated mortgage-free to deserving heroes in Peoria, AZ and Las Vegas, NV.

ï

100 military and veteran families realized the American Dream of homeownership through our

WEB DEVELOPER Francisco Labias VIDEO PRODUCTION Matthew Martin-Hall CONTACT VAREP HEADQUARTERS 951 · 444 · 7363 info @VAREP. net 462 Corona Mall Suite 102 Corona, CA 92879 w w w . V A R E P. n e t

programs and services. ï

80 industry training events to educate real estate and lending professionals about all things military including the VA loan program.

ï ï

3000 real estate and lending professional were trained as a result of the 80 live events and

ABOUT SON

online membership training.

Son Nguyen is the Founder and President of the

600 military and veteran families educated about homeownership, financial literacy, and the

Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals

VA loan program through the live Veteran Housing Summits events hosted by VAREP local

(VAREP). Nguyen believes that homeownership

chapters across the country.

and employment is the cornerstone of our economy and a dream that should be realized by all Americans,

HOW TO EXPLAIN WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

especially the military service members and veterans, who have so valiantly served our country.

I frequently receive phone calls from our membership on how to explain VAREP as an organization.

Depending on your audience, you may want to adapt the points listed below to introduce VAREP. ï

ï

ï

education development and nonprofit development.

million active military and 22-plus million veterans on financial-literacy, homeownership and

His record speaks of innovation and leadership at

economic opportunities that affect them.

the highest level. A proud U.S. Service Disabled Navy

VAREP is the only organization that advocates removing barriers to military and veteran

Veteran, Mr. Nguyen holds a Bachelor’s degree in

homeownership and encourages creating pro-veteran housing programs that suit the unique

Public Relations from of the University of Florida and

needs of these communities.

a Master’s degree in Organizational Management.

VAREP is the only organization that increases utilization of the VA Home Loan program VAREP is the only organization that educates military and veteran families on the importance of financial health on the road to homeownership.

ï

VAREP is the only organization that educates the real estate practitioner on the important housing-policy and lending initiatives that affect the military and veteran communities.

Recently, a corporate partner asked me to compare our offerings with those of some of the national brand-name veteran service organizations in the market. The comparison chart to the right shows that we fill a much needed gap in financial-literacy and housing components that the other veteran service organizations simply do not offer…

In other words: We complement them and do not compete with them.

Our organization has only scratched the surface of creating awareness and having people rethink how to better serve underserved military and veteran housing needs. To a great 2015...Cheers!

Son Nguyen VAREP Founder and President

1

estate, public speaking, supplier diversity consulting,

VAREP is a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization that was founded to directly educate the 1.4-plus

through direct military and veteran housing outreach events. ï

Mr. Nguyen has decades of experience in the real

VETERAN NON-PROFIT COMPARISON CHART Target Audience

VAREP Veterans = 22+ Million Active Duty = 1.4+ Million

MILITARY WARRIORS FOUNDATION Wounded Warriors OEF, OIF, ND = 51,849

OPERATION HOMEFRONT Active Duty Family of E1 - E6 = 1.1 Million

WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT Wounded Warriors OEF, OIF, ND = 51,849

USA CARES Post 9/11 Servicemembers & Family

Financial Assistance

X

X

Emergency Food

X

X

Emergency Home Repair

X

X

Critical Baby Items

X

X

Home and Appliance Repair

X

Furniture and Household Items

X

Local Moving Assistance

X

Apartment Transitional Housing

X

X

Permanent Housing Placement

X

X

Employment Job Board

X

Rehabilitation with Recreational Therapy

X

X

X

X

Peer-to-Peer Counseling

X

Family Support Retreats

X

Peer Mentoring

X

Information Technology Training Academy

X

Financial Literacy Education

X

X

X

VA Home Loan Program Education

X

Housing Education

X

Housing Counseling

X

Credit and Debt Management Education

X

Credit and Debt Management Counseling

X

Military and Veteran First Look Affordable Housing Purchase Program

X

Mortgage Free Donated Homes for Wounded Warrior and Spouses of Deceased Warriors

X

X

X

Community Outreach

X

X

X

Live Community Housing, Financial Literacy, and Employment Fair Outreach Events

X

REALTOR, Housing Professional, and Lender Military and Veteran Certification Course

X

Military and Veteran Friendly Database

X

Advocay with a Written Policy Plan

X Military and Veteran Housing Lending Policy

Housing and Lending Policy Conference

X

Military and Veteran Financial Literacy, Housing, and Employment Resource Center

X

X

X

X Wounded Warriors

NOTE: The non-profit comparison chart does not list the national minority real estate trade organizations including AREAA, NAHREP, and NAREB because we are not structurally set up as a trade organization. We have our membership whom we educate to better serve the military housing needs, but ultimately we are all here to serve the military and veteran communities.

2

4

Complaints Received from

A Snapshot by the Office of Servicemember Affairs

MESSAGE FROM HOLLY PETRAEUS Assistant Director for the Office of Servicemember Affairs Hello and welcome from the Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA) at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)! This is our second complaint report detailing the data and trends surrounding complaints submitted to the CFPB by servicemembers, veterans and their families. As you can see in the report, our complaint volume has steadily risen since July 2011 when we first started taking complaints. I am particularly pleased to report that servicemembers, veterans and their families who complained to the CFPB about financial products or services have recovered more than $1 million. We have also added two new complaint categories in the past year starting with debt collection complaints last July and payday loan complaints in November.

The sheer volume of debt collection complaints alone makes this an important complaint category for OSA. Beyond the numbers, however, I have heard in my many visits to military installations across the country about aggressive and deceptive tactics by debt collectors specifically targeting members of the military. These tactics to coerce payment often involve contacting a servicemember’s military chain of command, threatening punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, threatening to have a servicemember reduced in rank, or threatening to have a servicemember’s security clearance revoked.

Payday loans have been and continue to be an important issue for OSA as well. If you are a servicemember on active duty you, your spouse, and certain dependents have the protection of a special law called the Military Lending Act (MLA). The MLA says that you can’t be charged an interest rate higher than 36 percent on certain types of consumer loans, and that includes certain payday loans, auto title loans, and tax-refund anticipation loans. The MLA provides protections that the average citizen doesn’t have when it comes to payday loans, and the CFPB is one of several federal agencies that have the power to enforce the MLA. These two new complaint categories of debt collection and payday loans are critical to our population and will be closely monitored to spotlight issues specific to servicemembers, veterans and their families.

While much has happened with the work of the Office of Servicemember Affairs over the past year, our mission remains the same – to work on consumer financial challenges affecting military personnel, veterans, and their families. Those who serve, or have served, our country should not have to worry about falling victim to unfair, deceptive, or abusive financial practices. It’s my honor to represent the military community here at the CFPB and to make sure that its concerns are heard – and that we do something about them.

6

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB” or “Bureau”) began consumer response operations on July 21, 2011 and became the first federal agency solely focused on consumer financial protection. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”) created the Bureau to protect consumers of financial products or services and to encourage the fair and competitive operation of consumer financial markets. Collecting, investigating, and responding to consumer complaints are integral parts of the CFPB’s work, as Congress set forth in the Dodd-Frank Act.¹

The CFPB began accepting consumer complaints about credit cards on July 21, 2011. The CFPB now accepts complaints related to mortgages, bank accounts and services, private student loans, other consumer loans, credit reporting, money transfers and debt collection. Most recently, on November 6, 2013, it began handling payday loan complaints. The CFPB continues to work towards expanding its complaint handling capacity to include other products and services. Consumers may also contact the CFPB with questions about other products and services. The Bureau answers these questions and refers consumers to other regulators or additional resources as appropriate.

The Bureau’s Office of Consumer Response (Consumer Response) hears directly from consumers about the challenges they face in the marketplace, brings their concerns to the attention of financial institutions, and assists in addressing their complaints.

Credit Cards

July 21, 2011

Mortgages

December 1, 2011

Bank accounts and services, private student loans, and consumber loans

March 1, 2011

Credit reporting

October 22, 2012

Money transfers

April 4, 2013

Debt collection

July 10, 2013

Payday loans

November 6, 2013

The Dodd-Frank Act created the Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA) at CFPB to address the specific challenges faced by military consumers.² OSA works with Consumer Response on complaints submitted by servicemembers, veterans, or their spouses and dependents, providing subject-matter expertise and helping to monitor complaints. This snapshot report provides an overview of complaints from military consumers and presents an analysis of complaints received over the period from July 21, 2011 through February 1, 2014.

7

RESULTS Summary of the CFPB Study FIGURE 1: Complaints Over Time from Military Consumers

From July 21, 2011 through February 1, 2014, the CFPB received approximately 14,100 complaints from military consumers. This total includes approximately 1,700 credit card complaints, 4,700 mortgage complaints, 1,500 bank account and services complaints, 400 private student loan complaints, 600 consumer loan complaints, 1,200 credit reporting complaints, 50 money transfer complaints, 3,800 debt collection complaints, and 100 payday loan complaints. The complaint volume from military consumers has grown steadily over time, rising 148% from 2012 to 2013.

Approximately 62 percent ³ of all complaints were submitted through the CFPB’s website and 23 percent via telephone calls. Referrals from other regulators and agencies accounted for eight percent of all complaints received. The rest were submitted by mail, email, and fax.

Approximately 9,700 complaints (69 percent) have been sent to companies for review and response. The remaining complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies (20 percent), found to be incomplete (6 percent), or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (5 percent). Companies have already responded to approximately 8,700 complaints or 90 percent of the complaints sent to them for response.

Once the company responds, the CFPB provides this response to the consumer for review. Consumers are given the option to provide feedback on the company’s response. Consumers are asked to notify the CFPB within 30 days if they want to provide feedback by disputing a company’s response. Military consumers have disputed approximately 2,000 company responses (23 percent) to complaints.

The product-specific analyses in this article describe complaints by product type as reported by consumers, actions taken, company responses, and consumer feedback to company responses.

8

complaints reported by military consumers CFPB Explains the Complaints and Concerns Gathered from Military Feedback CREDIT CARD COMPLAINTS The CFPB has handled approximately 1,700 credit card complaints from military consumers. Billing disputes are the most common type of credit card complaint (14 percent). Some consumers are confused and frustrated by the process and by their limited ability to challenge inaccuracies on their monthly credit card billing statements. For example, some consumers realize only after their claim has been denied that they needed to notify their credit card company within 60 days of any billing errors. In other cases, consumers are not aware that companies typically do not stop a merchant charge once the cardholder has authorized it or do not override a merchant’s “no-return policy.” Other common types of credit card complaints relate to identity theft, fraud or embezzlement (9 percent) and annual percentage rates or interest rates (8 percent).

Consumers continue to report problems with the Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA). One consumer complained that his credit card company sought a default judgment against him while he was deployed.

The judgment was obtained without the proper documentation as

TABLE 1: Most Common Credit Card Complaints Reported By Military Consumers

required under the SCRA, and as a result, the consumer was unable to contest the judgment. The consumer submitted a complaint to the CFPB and the problems associated with the judgment were addressed;

Complaint

%

Billing Disputes

14%

Identity Theft / Fraud / Embezzlement

9%

APT or Interest Rate

8%

Other

7%

Closing / Cancelling Account

7%

Credit Reporting

6%

Credit Card Protection / Debt Protection

5%

Collection Debt Dispute

4%

Collection Practices

4%

Late Fee

4%

as a result, the consumer’s credit report was corrected and he obtained additional monetary relief.

“I am trying to rectify a credit issue [with my credit card] which is affecting my security clearance with the United States Army. My credit report currently reflects a judgment. I am an active duty service member currently deployed to Afghanistan. I would like to clear this matter if at all possible before I re-deploy back to the United States.”

Army E-4, South Carolina Approximately 1,400 (82 percent) credit card complaints have been sent to companies for review and response. The remaining credit card complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies (13 percent), found to be incomplete (4 percent), or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (1 percent). Companies have already responded to approximately 1,300 complaints or 91 percent of the complaints sent to them for response.

Since December 2011, companies have also had the option of reporting the amount of monetary relief, if any. The median amount of relief reported for military consumers was $143 with $25 being the most common amount of relief for the approximately 298 credit card complaints where companies reported relief. Consumers have disputed approximately 300 company responses (24 percent) to credit card complaints.

9

MORTGAGE COMPLAINTS The CFPB has handled approximately 4,700 mortgage complaints from

Other common types of mortgage complaints address issues related to

military consumers. The most common type of mortgage complaint

making payments, such as loan servicing, payments, or escrow accounts

concerns problems consumers face when they are unable to make

(26 percent). For example, consumers express confusion about whether

payments, such as issues related to loan modifications, collections,

making timely trial period payments will guarantee placement into a

or foreclosures (55 percent). Consumers who have submitted these

permanent modification.

complaints generally appear to be driven by a desire to seek agreement with their companies on foreclosure alternatives. The complaints indicate

Approximately 4,100 (86 percent) mortgage complaints have been sent

that consumer confusion persists around the process and requirements

by the CFPB to companies for review and response. The remaining

for obtaining loan modifications and refinancing, especially regarding

mortgage complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies

document submission timeframes, payment trial periods, allocation

(9 percent), found to be incomplete (3 percent), or are pending with the

of payments, treatment of income in eligibility calculations, and credit

consumer or the CFPB (2 percent). Companies have already responded

bureau reporting during the evaluation period. The shelf life of documents

to approximately 3,700 complaints or 91 percent of the complaints

provided as part of the loan modification process is of particular concern

sent to them for response. The median amount of monetary relief

to consumers. Although consumers must provide documents within short

reported for military consumers was $470 for the approximately 134

time periods and income documentation generally remains valid for up

mortgage complaints where companies reported relief. Consumers

to 60 days, lengthy evaluation periods can result in consumers having to

have disputed approximately 900 company responses (25 percent) to

resubmit documentation – sometimes more than once – contributing to

mortgage complaints.

consumer fatigue and frustration with these processes.

In particular, military consumers have reported frustration with mortgage servicers’ lack of knowledge about military-specific programs. Consumers report that servicers remain unaware of the permanent change of station guidance issued by the CFPB and other federal financial regulators as well as short-sale guidelines aimed at assisting servicemembers with PCS orders, such as the Federal Housing Financial Agency’s August 2012 Short Sale Guidelines for Fannie and Freddie Loans. One consumer, a Navy officer, contacted his servicer in order to obtain approval for a short-sale pursuant to his receipt of PCS orders. He reports that he was told that he would not qualify unless he was delinquent on his mortgage payment. After the missed payments were reported to the credit bureaus, lowering the consumer’s credit score, the consumer submitted his complaint to the CFPB. The company acknowledged that the consumer qualified for the short sale due to his receipt of PCS orders, and did not need to be delinquent to qualify; as a result, the company agreed to correct the delinquency reporting.

“In February 2011, we contacted the primary lender and requested a short sale. We were told by representatives that in order to approve our short sale, we would have to miss two or more payments. Once we had missed consecutive payments, (and ONLY once this happened) the mortgage company approved our short sale...

Had they agreed with the short sale, with the obvious hardship we had expressed, the missed payments would have been unnecessary...We believe (and hope) you understand that as members of the military, these events happened beyond our control.”

Navy 0-5, North Carolina

10

complaints reported by military consumers CFPB Explains the Complaints and Concerns Gathered from Military Feedback DEBT COLLECTION COMPLAINTS The CFPB has handled approximately 3,800 debt collection complaints

consumer or the CFPB (14 percent). Companies have already responded

from military consumers. The most common type of debt collection

to approximately 1,200 complaints or 84 percent of the complaints sent

complaint relates to continued attempts to collect a debt not owed (39

to them for response. The median amount of monetary relief reported for

percent). Other common complaints relate to communication tactics

military consumers was $619 for the 32 debt collection complaints where

(19 percent), debt collectors taking or threatening an illegal action (13

companies reported relief. Consumers have disputed approximately 240

percent), disclosure verification of debt (11 percent), or false statements

company responses (20 percent) to debt collection complaints.

or misrepresentations about a debt (9 percent).

BANK ACCOUNT OR SERVICE COMPLAINTS

The most common type of debt collection complaint concerns attempts

The CFPB has handled approximately 1,500 bank account or service

to collect non-existent debts. Consumers report that the collectors

complaints from military consumers. The most common type of bank

attempting to collect on these “phantom debts” are extremely aggressive;

account or service complaint relates to opening, closing, or managing the

often threatening the consumer with immediate arrest, and/or alleging

account (46 percent). These complaints address issues such as confusing

imminent court action that will result in high fines and fees.

marketing, denial, fees, statements, and joint accounts. Other common complaints relate to deposit and withdrawal issues such as transaction

Some military consumers who have submitted debt collection complaints

holds and unauthorized transactions (29 percent), and problems caused

report that their initial contracts included provisions authorizing their

by the consumer’s funds being low, including bounced checks, overdraft

lender to contact their military commanders should the consumer

and late fees, and credit reporting (11 percent). Many consumers remain

default on their loan. Other tactics often involve threatening punishment

frustrated with overdraft fees and the wide discretion companies have to

under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, threatening to have a

assess these and other fees so long as the fees are outlined in account

servicemember reduced in rank, or threatening to have a servicemember’s

agreements. Similarly, some consumers express frustration when some

security clearance revoked.

companies process larger withdrawal transactions before smaller ones,

Approximately 1,400 (38 percent) debt collection complaints have been sent by the CFPB to companies for review and response. The remaining

Approximately 1,100 (73 percent) bank account or service complaints

debt collection complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies

have been sent by the CFPB to companies for review and response. The

(37 percent), found to be incomplete (11 percent), or are pending with the

remaining bank account or service complaints have been referred to other

FIGURE 4: Types of Debt Collection Complaints Reported by Military Consumers

11

which can generate more overdraft-fee charges.

FIGURE 5: Types of Bank Account or Service Complaints Reported by Military Consumers

Complaint

%

Complaint

%

Continued Attemps to Collect Debt Not Owed

38%

Account Management

46%

Communication Tactics

19%

Deposits and Withdrawals

29%

Taking or Threatening an Illegal Action

13%

Problems Caused by Low Funds

11%

Disclosure Verification of Debt

11%

Sending or Receiving Payments

9%

False Statements or Representation

9%

Using a Debt or ATM Card

5%

Other

9%

regulatory agencies (20 percent), found to be incomplete (4 percent), or

Other consumers reported issues relating to payment processing; including

are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (3 percent). Companies have

problems with how their servicer processed payments made in excess of

already responded to approximately 1,000 complaints or 93 percent

their monthly amount. Consumers expressed frustration concerning their

of the complaints sent to them for response. The median amount of

efforts to communicate to their lender how to process the overpayment in

monetary relief reported for military consumers was approximately

the manner they preferred. Consumers also reported difficulties both in

$125 for the 204 bank account or service complaints where companies

contacting staff at their student loan servicer to assist with their requests,

reported relief. Consumers have disputed approximately 220 company

as well as in using the company’s online payment system.

responses (22 percent) to bank account or service complaints.

Finally, consumers report aggressive debt collection practices utilized by PRIVATE STUDENT LOAN COMPLAINTS

their loan servicers. Many consumers voiced frustration about the tactics

The CFPB has handled approximately 400 private student loan complaints

utilized by their servicers, including placing multiple calls a day, threatening

from military consumers. The most common type of student loan

litigation and threatening to contact the consumer’s military commander.

complaint relates to repaying the loan, such as fees, billing, deferment, forbearance, fraud, and credit reporting (60 percent). Consumers

Approximately 300 (74 percent) private student loan complaints have

struggle with the limited payment deferment options permitted in their

been sent by the CFPB to companies for review and response. The

loan agreements, especially when they have not found employment by the

remaining private student loan complaints have been referred to other

time they must begin repaying their loans, and because deferments often

regulatory agencies (22 percent), or found to be incomplete (4 percent).

are limited to six months. Another common type of complaint addresses

Companies have already responded to approximately 260 complaints

problems consumers confront when they are unable to pay, such as issues

or 91 percent of the complaints sent to them for response. The median

related to default, debt collection, and bankruptcy (31 percent).

amount of monetary relief reported for military consumers was $2,038 for the approximately 22 private student loan complaints. Consumers

Military consumers have reported problems obtaining correct and

have disputed approximately 40 company responses (16 percent) to

consistent information on the military benefits available to them on

private student loan complaints.

their student loans. Consumers report that their servicers remained confused about the military critieria required for different statutory protections. For example, consumers report that their student loan servicers are uninformed about requirements under the SCRA, and consumers report they are repeatedly asked to submit documentation not required by law. One such consumer, an active duty Army officer, reported that she was repeatedly asked to provide military orders containing an end-date in order to maintain her protections under SCRA. As an officer, her orders were indefinite and did not contain an end- date, so the company refused to accept them.

After submitting a complaint to the CFPB, the consumer was able to have her SCRA protections reinstated.

“A few months ago, I received a letter from [my student loan servicer] stating they needed verification of my beginning and ending dates of active service...I sent them a letter stating that because I was a commissioned officer I did not have an end date... At the end of last month I received a letter stating that was not good enough, and that I needed to provide new orders or a letter from my commanding officer.”

Army 0-3, Washington

12

complaints reported by military consumers CFPB Explains the Complaints and Concerns Gathered from Military Feedback VEHICLE OR OTHER CONSUMER LOAN COMPLAINTS The CFPB has handled approximately 600 vehicle or other consumer

information (72 percent). Another common type of complaint addresses

loan complaints from military consumers. The most common type of

issues with credit reporting companies’ investigation of information

vehicle or other consumer loan complaint relates to managing the

disputed by consumers (11 percent).

loan, lease, or line of credit (43 percent). Another common type of complaint addresses problems consumers have when they are unable

Military consumers reported that their attempts to correct their credit

to pay, including issues related to debt collection, bankruptcy, and

reports are often spurred by the potential impact detrimental credit reporting may have on their military careers. One consumer who

default (23 percent).

complained to the CFPB explained that he had been trying to correct Approximately 300 (61 percent) vehicle or other consumer loan

information on his credit report about a state tax lien that was not his

complaints have been sent by the CFPB to companies for review and

and had been unsuccessful disputing the information on his own. He was

response. The remaining vehicle or other consumer loan complaints have

afraid the errors would affect his military career. After he submitted a

been referred to other regulatory agencies (34 percent), found to be

complaint, the incorrect information was removed.

incomplete (3 percent), or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (2 percent). Companies have already responded to approximately 300

“I am active duty military... I disputed [a tax lien] with all three credit companies,

complaints or 91 percent of the complaints sent to them for response. The

talked to them about this error...I feel like no one is listening to me...Please help me.“

median amount of monetary relief reported for military consumers was

Navy E-6, Virginia

$129 for the approximately 22 vehicle or other consumer loan complaints.

Consumers have disputed approximately 80 company responses (26 percent) to vehicle or other consumer loan complaints.

been sent by the CFPB to companies for review and response. The remaining credit reporting complaints have been referred to other

CREDIT REPORTING COMPLAINTS

regulatory agencies (5 percent), found to be incomplete (9 percent),

The CFPB has handled approximately 1,200 credit reporting

or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (6 percent). Companies

complaints from military consumers. The most common type of credit

have already responded to approximately 900 complaints or 91

reporting complaint is about incorrect information appearing on

percent of the complaints sent to them for response. Consumers

the consumer’s credit report, such as information that is not the

have disputed approximately 200 company responses (20 percent) to

consumer’s, incorrect account status and incorrect personal

credit reporting complaints.

FIGURE 7: Types of Vehicle or Other Consumer Loan Complaints Reported by Military Consumers

13

Approximately 1,000 (80 percent) credit reporting complaints have

FIGURE 8: Types of Credit Reporting Complaints Reported by Military Consumers

Complaint

%

Complaint

%

Managing the Loan

42%

Incorrect Information on Credit Report

73%

Problems When Unable to Pay

23%

Credit Reporting Company’s Investigation

11%

Taking Out the Loan

19%

Unable to Obtain Report or Score

8%

Shopping for the Loan

7%

Improper Use of My Credit Report

5%

Account Terms and Changes

4%

Credit Monitoring or Identity Protection

3%

Other

5%

MONEY TRANSFER COMPLAINTS The CFPB has handled approximately 50 money transfer complaints from military consumers. The most common type of money transfer

TABLE 9: Types of Money Transfer Complaints Reported by Military Consumers

complaint is about frauds or scams (56 percent). Another common type of complaint addresses issues with other transactions, such as issues with unauthorized transactions, cancellations, or refunds (24 percent).

Approximately 20 (51 percent) of money transfer complaints have been

Complaint

%

Fraud or Scam

56%

Other Transaction Issues

24%

Incorrect or Missing Disclosures or Info

9%

Money Was Not Available When Promised

7%

Other Service Issues

4%

sent by the CFPB to companies for review and response. The remaining money transfer complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies (27 percent), found to be incomplete (13 percent), or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (9 percent). Companies have already responded to approximately 20 complaints or 78 percent of the complaints sent to them for response. Consumers have disputed approximately 2 company responses (11 percent) to money transfer complaints.

PAYDAY LOAN COMPLAINTS The CFPB has handled approximately 100 payday loans complaints from military consumers. The most common type of payday loan complaint is about unexpected fees or interest (38 percent). Another common type of complaint involves consumers’ inability to contact lenders (15 percent).

Complaints from military consumers indicate that some of them are taking out loan products which fall outside the current parameters of “consumer credit” as defined in the Military Lending Act regulations.

TABLE 10: Types of Payday Loan Complaints Reported by Military Consumers

Approximately 30 (28 percent) of payday loan complaints have been sent by the CFPB to companies for review and response. The remaining

Complaint

%

Unexpected Fees or Interest

38%

Unable to Contact Lender

15%

Received a Loan I Did Not Apply For

14%

Applied for Loan and Did Not Receive Money

13%

Unable to Stop Bank Account Charges

7%

Other

12%

payday loan complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies (32 percent), found to be incomplete (4 percent), or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (36 percent). Companies have already responded to approximately 20 complaints or 65 percent of the complaints sent to them for response. Consumers have disputed approximately 3 company responses (15 percent) to payday loan complaints.

14

Handling complaints and concerns Taking Care of Our Military Communities HOW THE CFPB HANDLES COMPLAINTS Consumer Response screens all complaints submitted by consumers based on several criteria. These criteria include whether the complaint falls within the CFPB’s primary enforcement authority, whether the complaint is complete, and whether it is a duplicate of a prior submission by the same consumer. Screened complaints are forwarded via a secure web portal to the appropriate company. The company reviews

COMPLAINT SUBMITTED

the information, communicates with the consumer as needed, and determines what action to take in response. The company reports back to the consumer and the CFPB via the secure “company portal.” The Bureau then invites the consumer to review the response and provide feedback. Consumer Response reviews the feedback consumers

REVIEW AND ROUTE

provide about company responses, using this information along with other information, such as the timeliness of the company’s response, to help prioritize complaints for investigation. Consumers who have submitted complaints to the Bureau can log onto the secure “consumer

COMPANY RESPONSE

portal” available on the CFPB’s website or call a toll-free number to receive status updates, provide additional information, and review responses provided to the consumer by the company.

Throughout this process, subject-matter experts help monitor certain

CONSUMER REVIEW

complaints. For example, the Office of Servicemember Affairs coordinates on complaints submitted by servicemembers or their spouses and dependents.

Consumer Response continually strives to improve data quality and

REVIEW AND INVESTIGATE

protect sensitive information, while increasingly making data about the complaints the CFPB receives available through reports to Congress and the public and by sharing certain data with the public through the Consumer Complaint Database.

Listening and responding to consumers is an integral part of the CFPB’s work to understand issues in the financial marketplace. As the CFPB processes complaints, it also continues to identify new ways to improve its processes to make them as efficient, effective, and easy-to-use as possible.

The Bureau uses consumer complaints to inform its work in making prices and risks clearer, protecting consumers of financial products and services, and encouraging financial markets to operate fairly and competitively.

15

ANALYZE AND REPORT

CFPB COMPLAINT CONTACT INFORMATION: Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8am - 8pm EST Toll Free Number: (855) 411-CFPB (2372) Espa単ol: (855) 411-CFPB (2372) TTY/TDD: (855) 729-CFPB (2372) Fax Number: (855) 237-2392 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau P.O. Box 4503 Iowa City, Iowa 52244 www.Consumerfinance.gov/Complaint

Veterans Housing Summit VAREP Recap of Attaining the American Dream of Homeownership Phoenix Arizona Veterans Housing Summit · May 17th 2014

17

On May 17, 2014, the VAREP Phoenix Chapter held their first ever Veterans Housing Summit at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

Their team led the way during this Veteran Community Outreach event to educate and empower their audience on military-related topics on homeownership.

“A tremendous amount of vets do not understand what their benefits are, how to deploy them, how to take advantage of them, and how to search out representation,” Said G-II Varrato, an Air Force veteran who works as the head of Community Outreach for the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals Phoenix Chapter.

The main focus of the Veterans Housing Summit is to educate veterans on their housing options and connect them with professionals who have a strong understanding of VA loans. This type of loan is slightly different than conventional loans.

They can include no down payments and cash to take care of closing costs.

We asked Varrato to give an inside look at the Phoenix Veterans Housing Summit. From the pre-planning, to the main event details, and finally the reflections of what their chapter learned from their experiences and what they would do different in future Veteran Housing Summit Events.

Getting Started The set up and planning portion of the event was perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the event. None of us had ever undertaken anything of this magnitude.

At our March board meeting we were just one month out from the original planed date for the event. Rute Haag noted that we simply did not have enough time to properly set up the event. It was decided that we would reset the date for our first Housing Summit to May 17, 2014. That gave us just, a bit, over two months to prepare for the event. In hindsight, that was still a very small amount of time for a first time event. Nevertheless, we agreed and the race was on.

We still did not have a venue. We had no sponsorships. We had no money and our chapter was broke. At the March board meeting, we decided that I would be in charge of locating a suitable venue.

I scouted about a dozen places, none of which were appealing.

I then decided to scout the five major hotel chains in Down Town Phoenix. I went to The Ritz-Carlton Phoenix, The Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Marriot Renaissance Phoenix, The Hilton Phoenix Suites and the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix. I selected this list of hotels because they were all within a few miles of the major TV stations, FOX Chanel 10, ABC Chanel 15, CBS Chanel 5 and NBC Chanel 12 and our major newspaper, the Arizona Republic.

I personally visited each of the five hotels and pitched our needs. My pitch was simple: “We are VAREP, the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, a 501.c.3 non-profit organization. We are hosting our very first Veterans Housing Summit and need your help. We have no money and would like you to donate your facility to VAREP and sponsor our event.”

All of the five hotels offered some form of assistance. However, the Sheraton came through with the most gracious offer. The Sheraton offered an $8,000, 4,000 square feet meeting room for free. The only commitment the Sheraton asked for was a $1,200 food and/or beverage order.

I committed to the $1,200 without one dollar in our account. My thoughts were that we should be able to cover the $1,200 with sponsor ship money, even though we did not have any sponsors yet.

Sponsorship Hunting At our April board meeting we decided on the fee structure of the sponsorships.

We set $2,000 per lender, $1,000 per Title Company and $300 to $500 for smaller vendors such as home warranty companies, termite inspection companies and home inspection companies.

The Sheraton Downtown Phoenix was generous enough to donate the venue space for the Phoenix Veterans Housing

We had a few ‘soft commitments’ from Chase and Wells Fargo but nothing had been formally set up with either of them.

Jessica took on the mission to secure the bank sponsorships. She scored four major sponsors: Chase, Wells Fargo, Peoples Mortgage and Homeowner’s Financial.

She also secured North American Tile and Old Republic. I also secured a builder, Merritage, for $2,000 and American Home Shield for $500. Patrick and Rute worked on securing the smaller vendors. In total, we went from zero dollars in sponsorship funds to a little over $11,000.

Summit valued at over $8,000! VAREP thanks the Sheraton and is very grateful for this donation. It was a beautiful venue and we look forward to hosting future Veterans Housing Summits here again!

With the funds in hand, we now had a little working capital and began to enhance the event with audio and video components to be provided by the Sheraton. We also began to explore all forms of media coverage and committed funds to print promotion of the event. We were still not getting the advertising coverage we needed. Jimmy Vercelino told us of his brother-in-law who owed a media promotion company.

Jimmy contacted Mark Macias and I began working with Mark.

It was at our May 6, 2014 board meeting that we learned of Mark Macias. Mark had less than 10 days to get our event published and publicized to as many media outlets as possible. Over the next few days, Mark got us in touch with CBS Chanel 5 and ABC Chanel 15. Chanel 15 shot an in studio spot about the event that aired twice just days before the event. Chanel 5 shot two events, live. One was recorded at a property that was for sale, with an Active Duty F-16 Pilot prospective buyer,

Pictured above are the VAREP Phoenix Chapter Board Members LeRoy Romero, Membership Director, and Bill Salvatore, President as they prepare to host the Summit. It was a great turnout!

18

VAREP NATIONAL EVENTS and the other on site during the day of the Veterans Housing Summit. The Chanel 5 spots ran several times throughout the day, on the day before the event, and on the day of the event.

Social media hits for the Phoenix Chapter Facebook page went through the roof, eclipsing 3,000 organic views. Our promotional efforts were very successful.

learn more about his veteran benefits. I spoke with him for a bit and learned that he had just heard that his homeownership benefit “might still be usable”. Of course I explained that the benefit never expires, to which he was amazed and was eternally grateful that we were hosting the event. He heard of the event from one of the TV spots that had been broadcasted.

The Event and Attendance On the day of the event, we were still very nervous about attendance. It was reported that we had about 50 pre-registered attendees, who had gone to our Veteran Housing Summit Website to register for the event. Our venue would support in excess of 200 attendees. Our team arrived early. I arrived at 0600 and began working with the Sheraton staff to set up audio and video components of the event. Vendors began to arrive around 0700.

Others began to arrive. In total, the attendance was counted to be a little over 70 veterans and active duty servicemembers. We had folks from the US Army Reserve Base in Scottsdale, AZ, Airmen and Airwomen from Luke AFB, and of course retired and/or separated servicemembers from the surrounding areas from all branches of the armed forces.

0715, 0730, 0745, 0800… and we still did not have even one attendee registered at the event. Now I can share with my trusted board members, that I had similar pangs of disappointment beginning to grow in my stomach, although I did not let anyone know at the time that my stomach felt like a thousand hamsters were running in hamster wheel.

At 0809, our first registrant arrived. He was an elderly gentleman and a Korean War veteran, so I deduced that he must be in his 80s. Imagine that, a veteran in his 80s was attending our event to

19

I recall one young couple, SSgt. Justin Hart and his wife Heather.

They we first time homebuyers who read about our event in an ad that was published in the Luke Air Force Paper, “Thunderbolt”.

When Justin was asked why he was here and what he had learned, Justin responded, “I have learned that the concerns about VA loans and VA appraisers undervaluing properties is a myth.” His wife Heather was more focused on the creature features of the home.

Her new home had to have at least four bedrooms and three bathrooms. She said, “I am very excited to mess with the backyard, paint the kids’ rooms and have pets.” The comments and thoughts from these two young folks were restated, in various forms and formats, as we chatted with other servicemembers in attendance.

On a side note, Justin and Heather closed on their new home in Buckeye on July 9, 2014. Their new home included 6 bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms, 3,784 square feet, and a 3 car garage that was a refurbished foreclosed home. They paid only $217,000 and used their VA benefit to secure their loan from USAA Bank. We helped dozens of folks like Justin and Heather begin their journey toward homeownership.

The Key Note Speakers We were fortunate to secure two informative key note speakers: Jeff Wilson, Loan Production Officer from the Phoenix Regional VA Office and Judy Lowe, Arizona Commissioner of Real Estate.

Before the event kicked off with the posting of the colors by the Luke Air Force Base Color Guard and the singing of the Nation Anthem, by a Luke Air Force Base TSgt. Laurie Snyder, attendees made their way around the conference room, speaking with lenders, title companies, builders, termite companies, home inspection companies and home warranty companies. All of the folks we spoke with were extremely impressed with the organization of the event and the abundant and diverse group of sponsors.

important corner stone to their mission of homeownership.

Jeff Wilson’s message, to the attendees, was about the VA loan process in general. Jeff took great pains to remind the audience of the logic to engage a competent lender, one who is intimately knowledgeable about the VA loan process and product. Jeff also drove home the logic of hiring a professional home and termite inspection company to review the home before the servicemember committed to completing the purchase agreement.

Everyone we spoke with found great wisdom and gathered extensive knowledge about the VA loan process and loan product from all of the guest speakers.

The most exciting moment came when Peoples Mortgage announced to all in attendance that they could stop by the Peoples Mortgage table and obtain on the spot, a copy of the veterans’ Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Shortly after that announcement, Peoples Mortgage was overrun by the attendees wanting to secure their COEs. It was truly a special to behold.

Commissioner Lowe’s message to the attendees, was to be very cognizant of the value of working with a licensed real estate agent. Many of whom we spoke with after hearing her advice commented that they had no idea about why this was such an

G-II Varrato had a few suggestions for future Veteran Housing Summits. Chapters are encouraged to listen and learn from the Phoenix Chapter to imporve the quality of future events and make the experience for the military and veteran communities as worthwhile and enjoyable as possible.

The lead time for planning an event needs to be greater than 68 days. We

Follow up with the vendors after the event. We need to have a better

have already begun working on the November 29th 2014 Housing

follow up plan with each of the vendors, particularly the lenders, about

Summit. Two of the sponsors are already secured: Builder D.R. Horton

their success rate of converting the veteran’s interaction with the lender

for $2,000 and USAA Mortgage for $2,000. We are going to use the same

at the event sponsor table to a viable home loan experience.

venue again, Sheraton Downtown Phoenix but this time will use a room that will hold just over 300 attendees.

Get VAREP Membership involved! Promoting events must involve efforts to reach out to all of the local real estate boards and their members. We

Promotion needs to be given well more than 9½ days. For our Veterans

need to enlist the efforts of our Chapter membership to do this in order to

Housing Summit on November 29, 2014, we will begin the media

be the most effective across the largest proximity of the community.

campaign about three weeks in advance of the event and will use Mark Macias (www.MaciasPR.com) again as our ad agency. Also, we need to do a better job about tracking and paralleling the success of our ad and media campaigns with the number of attendees.

Creating a budget is neccesary. Even though we secured over $11,000 in

Too much paperwork was suggested to bring on the initial promotions.

Given the number of organic hits we experienced on our Facebook page and the number of phone calls fielded by the Arizona Republic, we may need to rethink how we present the list of data items the attendee should bring with them. By that I mean, all of our promotional information

sponsorships, we did not do a good job of monitoring the expenses and

suggested the attendee SHOULD bring copies of: recent three years tax

commitment of dollars to the project. Part of that was because we truly

returns, recent two year W-2 forms, recent 30-day pay stubs, recent two

did not know how much any individual item impacted the total dollars

months bank statements, recent 401k statement, photo ID, and a copy of

we had collected or had committed from the sponsors.

DD214. Only a very small handful of the attendees brought any of these

Recording all attendees’ registration information is a must! During the

items. We believe the list of items was over powering and may have lent

event, our chapter needed to do a much better job of recording all of the

to the small size of attendance. Therefore, for our November 2014 event

attendees’ registration information.

we will rethink how we promote these types of items.

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VAREP NATIONAL EVENTS

ATTENTION VAREP MEMBERS: LEARN HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE Get the word out to all veteran homebuyers.

Know an active military or veteran located near one of these upcoming events? Pass the work on! Our goal is to fill up every venue with Veterans. Please help us make these events successful by getting this information out to all of the active military and veterans that you know.

Complete your VAREP Membership Profile.

By completing your profile, you will have the best exposure for these great events! Your profile will appear on the VAREP Website along with your full contact information and areas of service. Don’t get caught with an incomplete profile!

Steps to Updating Your Profile: ï Go to www.VAREP.net ï Log in to the right under the Member Login section ï Once logged in, under the menu item My Account click Edit My Profile ï Complete your Basic Profile, Advanced Profile, and Cities of Service and click Update once fully reviewed and complete ï Click Edit My Picture to upload your professional headshot photo ï Review your profile in the Member Search Database located at the top right of the Member’s Area Website. Enter your first and last name, then click Search. Your full professional profile will appear in the search!

UPCOMING SUMMITS For a complete list of all upcoming Veterans Housing Summits, please visit our website at:

WWW.VETERANSHOUSINGSUMMIT.COM

MAKING THE AMERICAN DREAM A REALITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED

VAREP 2015

NATIONAL EVE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

VAREP 2015 National Events includes the inaugural California Legislative Summit in Sacramento CA, the second-annual 2015 VAREP Policy Conference in Washington DC, and the inaugural VAREP Leadership Academy in San Diego CA. These conferences are filled with military and veteran related topics. The California Legislative Summit addresses the housing needs of the California active-military and veteran communities, the Policy Conference is dedicated to increasing the homeownership experience for active-military and veterans alike, and the Leadership Academy provides training for our VAREP leaders of today while prepping leaders of tomorrow.

VENTS 24

2015 VAREP CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT APRIL 26 - 27 2015 · SACRAMENTO CA · HYATT REGENCY SACRAMENTO

We cordially invite you to join our inaugural 2015 VAREP California Legislative Summit from April 26 - 27, 2015 in Sacramento, CA. THE SITUATION One hundred percent of legislative, administrative, and program funding has gone toward ending the epidemic of veteran homelessness through various programs, none of which includes financial-literacy education, financial counseling, homeownership education, or homeownership counseling targeting the military and veteran communities.

VAREP – A TRUSTED RESOURCE Through our California military and veteran community events, VAREP has become the voice for military and veterans’ need for financial outreach and homeownership empowerment. VAREP’s California leaders will share their experiences with California legislators and advocate for the creation of programs addressing the lack of financial-literacy education, financial counseling, homeownership education, and homeownership counseling targeting the military and veteran communities.

CALL TO ACTION California legislators and government agencies must immediately use administrative and/or legislative channels to create programs with proper funding and must select organizations such as VAREP to administer financial-literacy and homeownership program requirements to qualified California active military and veterans.

CONFERENCE FEES Online Registration through www.VAREP. net /CALegislativeSummit » $499 for VAREP Non-Members » FREE for VAREP Chapter Board Members » $149.00 for VAREP General Members Onsite Registration » $599 for VAREP Non-Members » FREE for VAREP Chapter Board Members » $149 for VAREP General Members

If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact Son Nguyen, President and Founder of VAREP, directly at 951-444-7359 or by email at SNguyen@VAREP.net to learn how you can help VAREP at the 2015 VAREP California Legislative Summit in Sacramento, CA.

AVAILABLE $7,500

TITLE SPONSOR

25

CALIFORNIA AWARDS DINNER SPONSOR

WELCOME RECEPTION SPONSOR

2015 CALVET BRIEFING SESSION SPONSOR

AVAILABLE $7,500

BREAKFAST SPONSOR

OVERVIEW OF EVENTS DAY 1

GENERAL SESSIONS & WELCOME RECEPTION

DAY 2

Day one of the summit is filled with General Sessions focused on California related military and veteran topics.

Presentations include, but not limited to: »

VAREP California Policy Position Presentation & Discussion

»

California Department of Veterans Affairs (CALVET) Briefing

»

Financial-Literacy Education and Homeownership Empowerment for California Active-military and Veterans

Day one wraps up with the Welcome Reception to network with industry leaders and other VAREP Members.

AVAILABLE $4,500

PHOTO BOOTH SPONSOR

CAPITOL HILL VISITS & DEBRIEFING DINNER

HYATT REGENCY SACRAMENTO

VAREP Chapters will schedule Capitol Hill Meetings with legislative representatives throughout the day to present the VAREP California Policy Position for 2015. If you are not a board member for a local chapter, but would like to attend these meetings, please contact your local chapter President to make all arrangements. Help spread the word of VAREP’s mission!

Our event will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento, which is located conveniently within walking distance to the Capitol Building. Call or go online today to make your reservations. Mention the VAREP room block when booking by phone to get the reduced room rate price!

The second day concludes with the Debriefing Dinner. Each chapter will share and debrief attendees of their hill visits that took place earlier that day.

There will also be a keynote speaker at dinner to provide an inspirational message.

Hotel Information: (916) 443-1234 1209 L Street Sacramento, CA 95814 www.Sacramento.Hyatt.com

AVAILABLE $4,500

LANYARDS SPONSOR

VAREP Room Rate: $189.00 per night plus tax

REGISTER TODAY! To register or book your hotel room for the 2015 California Legislative Summit, please go to:

www.VAREP.net /CALegislativeSummit 26

2015 VAREP POLICY CONFERENCE

JUNE 7 - 10 2015 · WASHINGTON DC · HYATT REGENCY ON CAPITOL HILL

We cordially invite you to attend our second-annual 2015 VAREP Policy Conference from June 7–10, 2015 in Washington D.C. The conference is filled with educational sessions and town halls to educate attendees on important housing policy, lending initiatives, and economic development affecting the military and veteran communities. VAREP members have the opportunity to meet with members of Congress to advocate VAREP’s Policy Positions on issues that affect military and veteran homeownership.

CONFERENCE FEES Online Registration through www.VAREP. net /PolicyConference » $499 for VAREP Non-Members » FREE for VAREP Chapter Board Members » $149 for VAREP General Members Onsite Registration » $599 for VAREP Non-Members » FREE for VAREP Chapter Board Members » $149 for VAREP General Members HOTEL INFORMATION - HYATT REGENCY ON CAPITOL HILL Our event will take place at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, which is located conveniently within walking distance to the Capitol Building. Call or go online today to make your reservations.

Mention VAREP room block when booking by phone to get the reduced room rate price!

VAREP Room Rate: $249.00 per night plus tax Hotel Information: (888) 421-1442 400 New Jersey Avenue NW Washington, DC 20001 www.WashingtonRegency.Hyatt.com

If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact Son Nguyen, President and Founder of VAREP, directly at 951-444-7359 or by email at SNguyen@VAREP.net to learn how you can help VAREP at the 2015 VAREP Policy Conference in Washington, DC.

AVAILABLE $20,000

TITLE SPONSOR

27

GALA AWARDS DINNER SPONSOR

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON SPONSOR

WELCOME RECEPTION SPONSOR

EXPO AND NETWORKING RECEPTION SPONSOR

DAY 1: WELCOME RECEPTION Attendees come together to celebrate the start of the 2015 VAREP Policy Conference with VAREP Members from all across the nation The 2015 Policy Conference kicks off with the Welcome Reception. VAREP Members, Staff, and National and Local Chapter Board of Directors from all across the country come together to celebrate the start of the conference and meet new faces.

DAY 2

GENERAL SESSIONS, EXPO & NETWORKING RECEPTION

Day two of the conference is filled with General Sessions focused on military and veteran related topics. Topics planned to present include, but not limited to: »

Military and Veteran Homeownership: Real Issues, Real Solutions, and Real Changes

»

Military and Veteran Consumer Financial Fitness and Homeownership Forum

»

Improving the Veteran Homeownership Experience: An Open Discussion: CFPB, FHFA, VA, HUD, OCC, & NAR

»

2015 VA Home Loan Program Debriefing

After all general sessions have completed, day two concludes with an Exposition and Networking Reception. Policy Conference sponsors will set up booths and are available for attendees to talk with about what their plans are for the military and veteran communities.

DAY 3

DAY 4

On day three, VAREP board members will be Marching on Capitol Hill to advocate the VAREP Policy Paper for 2015. Last year, VAREP Chapters scheduled over 50 meetings with legislative representatives.

This year, our goal is to double that number. If you are not a board member, but would like to attend these meetings, please contact your local chapter President to make all arrangements. Help spread the word of VAREP’s mission!

The third day concludes with the Gala Awards Dinner. This celebratory occasion is where VAREP installs its National Board of Directors, acknowledges the contributions of leadership, and the contributions of key industry leaders that have supported VAREP. A special keynote speaker will inspire the attendees!

REGISTER TODAY!

AVAILABLE $7,500

VAREP LEADERSHIP TRAINING SPONSOR

MARCH ON CAPITOL HILL & GALA AWARDS DINNER

LANYARDS SPONSOR

CLOSING OF CONFERENCE WITH LEADERSHIP TRAINING

The final day of the 2015 Policy Conference wraps up the week with the Leadership Training. This Half-day training session is an opportunity for chapter leaders to share their Capitol Hill experience, takeaways, follow up items to do when they get back to their local communities with each other.

VAREP leaders will learn from each other via peer-to-peer breakout sessions on various VAREP operational topics.

This session will conclude with a Policy Conference evaluation and feedback session. This is how VAREP will improve as an organization.

To register or book your hotel room, go to:

www.VAREP.net/PolicyConference

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

POCKET AGENDA SPONSOR

PHOTO BOOTH SPONSOR

$7,500

$7,500

AVAILABLE $7,500

TOTE BAGS SPONSOR

28

2015 VAREP LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

OCTOBER 18 - 20 2015 · SAN DIEGO CA · DOUBLETREE HILTON SAN DIEGO-MISSION VALLEY

We cordially invite you to join our 2015 VAREP Leadership Academy from October 18- 20, 2015 at the Doubletree Hilton Mission Valley in San Diego, CA. The 2015 VAREP Leadership Academy will educate, develop, and empower current and future leaders within the VAREP organization. The Academy equips VAREP leaders with the necessary tools to serve the military and veteran housing needs.

REGISTRATIONS REQUIREMENTS »

VAREP National Board Members, State Directors, Chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers are required to attend.

»

All other current chapter board members are highly encouraged to attend.

»

All future chapter leaders currently in chapter formation are required to attend.

»

All general members wanting to be future leaders are encouraged to attend.

»

All general members wanting to better serve the military and veteran housing needs are welcome to attend.

CONFERENCE FEES Online Registration through www.VAREP. net /LeadershipAcademy » $499 for VAREP Non-Members » FREE for VAREP Chapter Board Members » $149 for VAREP General Members Onsite Registration » $599 for VAREP Non-Members » FREE for VAREP Chapter Board Members » $149 for VAREP General Members

If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact Son Nguyen, President and Founder of VAREP, directly at 951-444-7359 or by email at SNguyen@VAREP.net to learn how you can help VAREP at the 2015 VAREP Leadership Academy in San Diego, CA.

AVAILABLE $30,000

TITLE SPONSOR

29

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON SPONSOR

WELCOME RECEPTION SPONSOR

$20,000

LEADERSHIP AWARDS DINNER SPONSOR

$15,000

EXPO AND NETWORKING RECEPTION SPONSOR

OVERVIEW OF EVENTS DAY 1

MVHC LIVE TRAINING CLASS & WELCOME RECEPTION

On day one of the Leadership Academy, attendees will have the opportunity to take the MVHC Live. The MVHC is designed for a comprehensive understanding of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Home Loan Guarantee Program.

Attendees will have the opportunity to give feedback, comments, and testimonials about the MVHC course in the VAREP Video Lounge.

Day one wraps up with the Welcome Reception to network with industry leaders and other VAREP Members.

DAY 3

DAY 2

GENERAL SESSIONS, EXPO & NETWORKING RECEPTION

DOUBLE TREE HILTON SAN DIEGO - MISSION VALLEY

Day two starts with four General Sessions. Topics for the 2015 Leadership Academy have not been announced yet and we will make an announcement when our agenda for this day is finalized.

Day two wraps up with an Exposition and Networking Reception. Leadership Academy sponsors set up booths and are available for attendees to talk with.

Attendees will have the opportunity to give feedback, comments, and testimonials about the Leadership Academy.

FINAL GENERAL SESSIONS, USS MIDWAY TOUR & LEADERSHIP AWARDS DINNER

The final day closes with two more General Sessions. After the presentations, attendees are invited to attend the USS Midway Museum Tour. The USS Midway Museum is an immensely popular event venue. Its unique downtown location, convention center proximity and 360-degree panorama view make it an unparalleled venue for every occasion.

The final day of the conference will conclude with the Leadership Awards Dinner. This celebratory occasion is where VAREP acknowledges the contributions of its leadership that have supported VAREP during the inception stage.

LANYARDS SPONSOR

VAREP Room Rate: $149.00 per night plus tax Hotel Information: (619) 297-5466 7450 Hazard Center Drive San Diego, CA 92108 www.Doubletree3.Hilton.com

REGISTER TODAY! To register or book your hotel room for the Leadership Academy, please go to: www.VAREP. net /LeadershipAcademy

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

POCKET AGENDA SPONSOR

PHOTO BOOTH SPONSOR

$7,500

MVHC CERTIFICATION CLASS SPONSOR

Our event will take place at the Double Tree Hilton in San Diego. Call or go online today to make your reservations.

Mention VAREP to get the reduced room rate price! When booking online, use the code “VET” to get the discounted rate.

$7,500

AVAILABLE $7,500

TOTE BAGS SPONSOR

30

through Evidenced Based Approaches and Stakeholder Engagement Article By: Lisa Pape · LISW · Director of VHA Homeless Programs · US Department of Veterans Affairs

We’re not going to rest until every Veteran who has fought for America has a home in America. - president barak obama

“We’re not going to rest until every Veteran who has fought for America has a home in America.” - President Barak Obama In 2010, President Obama announced the goal of ending homelessness among Veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its Federal, state, and local partners have made ending Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015 a top priority, undertaking an unprecedented campaign to dramatically increase successful outcomes for Veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

An end to homelessness among Veterans will be achieved when there are no Veterans sleeping on our streets and every Veteran has access to permanent housing. Should Veterans become or be at-risk of becoming homeless, we will have the capacity to quickly connect them to the help they need to achieve housing stability.

The ultimate goal is that all Veterans have permanent, sustainable housing with access to high-quality health care and other supportive services.

To prevent and end Veteran homelessness, VA and its partners continue to build the national infrastructure to enable Veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of homelessness to quickly achieve residential stability.

While there is more work to be done, VA and its partners are proud to have achieved a 33 percent reduction in homelessness among Veterans since 2010, during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Since 2010, the number of homeless Veterans identified by the Point in Time count declined from 76,329 to 49,933. Several factors are responsible for the progress to date, including but not limited to improved collaboration and coordination among Federal, state, and local partners and VA’s adoption of evidenced based practices such as Housing First.

Housing First is an approach that centers on providing homeless people with housing quickly and then providing supportive services, as needed. What differentiates a Housing First approach from other strategies such as the Housing Readiness approach, which places a number of requirements on an individual before they receive housing, is that Housing First focuses on helping individuals and families quickly access and sustain permanent housing. This approach, which promotes helping people access and stay in permanent affordable housing, should be at the core of ending homelessness for individuals and families.

Housing First is the official policy of VA and is implemented using several different VA programs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-VA Supportive Housing (VASH) program employs the housing first approach. It targets and ensures that the most vulnerable homeless Veterans have access to both housing and supportive services. Veterans access affordable housing using Housing Choice Section 8 vouchers provided by HUD. VA provides case management and clinical and supportive services to Veterans enrolled in the program.

VA recognizes that eliminating Veteran homelessness is a complex challenge. It requires placing Veterans who are currently homeless in permanent housing with the needed services for sustainment and also providing prevention services to those at imminent risk of homelessness. To address that challenge, VA established the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program in 2011. Employing the Housing First approach, the SSVF program is designed to rapidly re-house homeless Veterans and their families who have recently become homeless and

The ultimate goal is that all veterans have permanent, sustainable housing with access to high-quality health care and other supportive services. prevent homelessness among those at imminent risk. The focus of SSVF is housing stability. The program’s objective is to achieve stability through short-term, focused interventions such as case management, financial counseling, credit restoration, job training, child care, and other services.

Through the HUD -VASH and SSVF Programs, VA and its partners helped more than 53,000 Veterans secure permanent housing in 2013 alone.

Everyone can play a role in helping to ensure that those who served our nation will never have to live on its streets. We need the expertise and energy of real estate professionals across the country. Because poverty and the lack of affordable housing are the primary reasons Veterans become homeless, real estate professionals can assist by increasing awareness among landlords and property management companies about the need for affordable non-subsidized housing and explain how property managers can help to address this problem.

Finally, real estate professionals can work with local homeless advocates, developers, and community development corporations to secure foreclosed properties and make them available for low income Veterans and their families.

While ending homelessness among Veterans by the end of 2015 is an ambitious goal, we at VA and our partners believe it can be achieved by continuing to target Federal, state, and local resources appropriately and leveraging the expertise of concerned citizens such as real estate professionals to fill critical needs.

If you are interested in lending your expertise to this important national initiative, please contact the homeless coordinator at your closest VA Medical Center.

Together, we can and will end Veteran homelessness.

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THE HOUSE A VET INITIATIVE

Affordable Housing for Military, Veteran, and Low-to-Moderate Income Families The House a Vet Initiative was developed to give qualified active military, veterans, surviving spouses, first-responders, and low-to-moderate income candidates an opportunity at homeownership.

Blighted homes are revitalized into bright spots within the community. Our process creates jobs, produces responsible homeowners, and shows appreciation to our heroes – It is a win for all!

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ABOUT THE HOUSE-A-VET INITIATIVE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible for the House a Vet Initiatives, participants must fit within a few guidelines. VAREP wants to ensure the family receiving the purchased or donated home will live in a stable environment, and will continue to thrive in the future. Requirements include: FIRST-LOOK PROPERTY PURCHASE REQUIREMENTS ï Must be an active- military personnel, veteran, surviving spouse, first responder, or a non-veteran low -to-moderate (LMI) income candidate. ï Must complete “House a Vet” Intake Application. ï Home must be primary residence. ï Must sign owner-occupied affidavit. ï Must qualify for a mortgage loan. ï Household income must be at or below 120% of the area median income adjusted by family size according to HUD income limits by area for LMI candidates. ï Buyers will be asked to “cross-qualify” with a VAREP approved lender partner in order to verify income and protect against predatory lending.

MORTGAGE-FREE PROPERTY DONATION REQUIREMENTS ï Must be a wounded warrior, veteran, surviving spouse, or first responder. ï Must complete “House a Vet” Intake Application. ï Home must be primary residence. ï Must complete the $99.00 financial management and home buyer education classes, all available online. ï All participants are required to have stable income for utilities, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, Homeowner Association (If applicable), living expenses, and savings account contribution. ï Must consent to credit and criminal background checks. ï All participants of the mortgage-free donation are required to participate in a three-year financial and homeownership mentoring and counseling program. ï A three-year deed restriction from the date of recordation will be placed on title to ensure successful completion of financial mentorship program, successful homeownership, and restricts a title transfer.

FIRST-LOOK PROPERTY PURCHASE PROGRAM VAREP accepts property donations from financial institutions in order to facilitate military, veteran, firstresponders, surviving spouse, and low-to-moderate (LMI) owner-occupied homeownership. Veteran jobs are created during the property rehabilitation process as we try to hire veteran-owned construction crews. After rehabilitation, the property will be marketed to military, veterans, and firstresponders for the first 15 days. Beginning on the 16th day, the property will be marketed to all LMI candidates.

We require all of our homebuyers to participate in VAREP’s online financial management and housing education seminars along with one-on-one housing counseling sessions. VAREP allows eligible heroes and LMI candidates to purchase a newly rehabbed home with a minimum 5% discount off of market value in the form of credit toward closing costs.

THE APPLICATION AND VETTING PROCESS 1. Search for a First-Look Property Purchase home with a real estate professional or on our website, www.Ve tHo m e o wne r s hi p .c o m 2. View the chosen home in person with a real estate professional.

3. If the applicant is still interested in pursuing home, a written offer is created through a real estate professional. The real estate professional will provide paperwork to fill out and submit with offer. Paperwork includes Intake Application, Owner-Occupied Affidavit, and VAREP Program Disclosures. Note: The “House a Vet Toolbox” located on the Vet Homeownership website provides all forms for download. Applicants will give VAREP 10 calendar days to review all paperwork, conduct a phone interview, and make a decision about applicant’s written offer.

4. A VAREP staff member will review application information and schedule a phone interview with applicant within 72 hours of submitting all paperwork.

5. VAREP will notify the applicant’s real estate professional via phone on the decision as specified by the offer contract.

6. During the closing process, participant will be required to take the Online Financial Management and Housing Courses listed in the House a Vet Toolbox located at www.VetHomeownership.com.

The eight-hour course is $99.00 and applicants may enrol in the course once under contract to purchase a home.

7. All participants are required to participate in 2 years of financial mentoring in the form of one-on-one counseling. Topics include post-purchase, budgeting, savings, and foreclosure prevention.

TO MILITARY, VETERANS, FIRST RESPONDERS, SURVIVING SPOUSES, AND LOW-TO-MODERATE HOMEOWNERS

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MORTGAGE-FREE PROPERTY DONATION PROGRAM VAREP accepts property donations from financial institutions in order to facilitate military, veteran, firstresponders, surviving spouse, and low-to-moderate (LMI) owner-occupied homeownership. Veteran jobs are created during the property rehabilitation process as we try to hire veteran-owned construction crews. After rehabilitation, properties are marketed to military, veterans, and first responders as a mortgage-free property donation. Heroes are vetted by an application and interview process.

We require all of our mortgage-free donation participants to take VAREP’s online financial management and housing education seminars along with one-on-one housing counseling.

A hero is chosen to receive the mortgage-free donated property.

All participants of the mortgage-free property donation program are required to participate in 2 years of financial mentoring in the form of one-on-one counselling including topics such as post-purchase, budgeting, savings, and increasing credit score.

Please Note: Title will only be transferred to participants of the mortgage-free donation program who successfully complete the financial mentoring program as mentioned above. Successful completion is defined as measurable credit score increases, and reaching saving’s goals as set forth by the participant’s individualized counselling plan.

THE APPLICATION AND VETTING PROCESS 1. Find a Mortgage-Free Donation home that you are interested in on

Online Financial Management and Housing Courses listed in the

marketing efforts by real estate professional.

House a Vet Toolbox located at www.VetHomeownership.com.

2. View the home with the designated real estate professional.

The eight-hour course is $99.00. You may enrol in the course once you

3. If the applicant is still interested in the donated home, then Real

are under contract to purchase a home or receive a mortgage-free

estate professional will give applicant the Intake Application, Owner-Occupied Affidavit, and VAREP Program Disclosures to

donation home.

7. All participants of the mortgage-free property donation program

completely fill out and submit. Note: Applicant can use the “House a

are required to participate in 2 years of financial mentoring in

Vet Toolbox” located on website to download the forms. Applicants will

the form of one-on-one counseling including topics such as post-

give VAREP 30 calendar days to review all paperwork, conduct a phone

purchase, budgeting, savings, and increasing credit score.

interview, and make a decision about applicant’s written offer.

Note: Title will only be transferred to participants of the mortgage-

4. A VAREP staff member will review application and schedule a phone interview with applicant within 72 hours of submitting all the paperwork.

5. VAREP will notify the applicant’s real estate professional via phone on the decision.

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6. During the closing process, all participants will required to take the

our website – www.VetHomeownership.com or through local

free donation program who successfully complete the financial mentoring program as mentioned above (details of this financial mentoring program will be disclosed during selection process).

Grogan joined the U.S. Air Force in 2006. While serving his second tour in Afghanistan in 2008, he suffered a back injury. Grogan was honorably discharged in January and is undergoing therapeutic care for his back and PTSD. Grogan is pursuing his second Associate in Arts degree in drafting design and a Bachelor of Arts in construction management at ITT Technical Institute. Grogan and his wife have two children, ages 1 and 12. The mortgage-free home allows the Grogan family to move forward. “It means a lot to me,” Grogan said. “It’s a blessing to have this house, to be able to save and to focus on other expenses.”

Special thanks to Jessica Morel, VAREP AZ State Director and the VAREP Phoenix board members for making the American Dream come true for Shaun Grogan.

Las Vegas, NV Elder served a tour in Vietnam as a combat medic where he was awarded the BRONZE STAR for meritorious service and 2 PURPLE HEARTS for being wounded in combat during the Vietnam War. Elder is Pastor for a nonprofit called All American Youth Foundation. He received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Cal State University in 1990. Elder and his wife have three children.

“I’ve always aspired to be a homeowner, I am glad now to have a piece of the America which I help fight for” Elder said. “To me, today is the American dream come true.”

Special thanks to Larry DeCoursey, VAREP NV State Director and the VAREP Las Vegas board members for making the American Dream come true for James Elder.

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VA Benefit Spotlight

VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits Employment and Independent Living Services U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs As part of our mission to serve you, VA provides a variety of employment and independent living services through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program.

VA may provide you with vocational counseling, job search assistance, and other education and training services.

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To determine whether your military service qualifies you for these services, VA conducts an evaluation of your interests, aptitudes, abilities,

SERIOUS EMPLOYMENT

and an assessment of how your disability affects your ability to work. The

HANDICAP (SEH)

services VA provides you are based on the results of your evaluation.

A trained VRC determines if an

VA can offer you the support you need in order to pursue a career, develop job skills, or provide job accommodations to help you perform your job. The VR&E program, also known as Chapter 31, provides a range of career services, including: ï Comprehensive evaluation to determine your abilities, skills, and employment interests ï Career counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment

employment handicap significantly impairs your ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment that is consistent with your abilities, aptitudes, and interests. If an SEH is determined, the basic period of eligibility for VR&E services may be extended.

ï Employment services, such as job training, job-seeking skills, résumé development, and other work-readiness assistance ï Assistance in finding and keeping a job, including how to use special employer incentives and job accommodations ï On-the-Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, college training, and non-paid work experiences

In general, you must use all VR&E services within 12 years from the following dates, whichever is later: ï The date you separated from active military service, OR ï The date VA officially notified you that you have a qualifying service-connected disability rating

In addition, comprehensive rehabilitation and independent living services

Veterans with service-connected disabilities may apply for VR&E benefits

are also available if you are severely disabled and not currently ready or

at any time. You may request a memorandum rating from VA if you have

able to seek employment.

not already received a VA service-connected disability rating of at least

VR&E is specifically for Servicemembers and Veterans with service-

10%, or a pre-discharge rating of 20% or more from VA.

connected illnesses and injuries. However, you may qualify for career

If a VRC finds that you have a serious employment handicap (SEH), you

counseling services from VA if you recently separated from the military or

may be entitled to VR&E services even if your rating is less than 20%

are using VA education benefits.

and/or you have passed your 12-year basic period of eligibility.

EVALUATING ENTITLEMENT TO VR&E SERVICES After you apply and VA determines you are eligible for VR&E services, VA

ACCESS YOUR VA BENEFITS Go to eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov, your one-stop shop to learn about and apply for your benefits.

will schedule a meeting for you with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). The VRC will assess your interests, aptitudes and abilities, and whether your service-connected disabilities impair your ability to find and/or hold a job using the training and occupational skills you already have. The VRC will use this assessment to determine your entitlement to VR&E services. If you are entitled to services, the VRC will work with you to explore employment options or further evaluate your need for services leading to more independence in daily living.

Working with a VRC on a Rehabilitation Plan.

Eligibility. Servicemembers and Veterans are eligible for VR&E services

If you are found to be entitled to VR&E services, you will work with a VRC

under the following circumstances:

to identify training requirements, explore wage information, and find employment opportunities. One of the VRC’s main responsibilities is to

ï You have obtained a service-connected disability rating from VA of at least 10%, or a pre-discharge disability rating (“memorandum rating”)

help you develop a rehabilitation plan so you can gain suitable employment or achieve an independent living goal.

of 20% or more from VA, AND ï You have received, or will receive, a discharge from service that is other than dishonorable, OR ï You may qualify without a VA rating if you are severely ill or injured and have

A rehabilitation plan is an individualized written outline of the services, resources, and criteria that will be used to help you achieve your employment and/or independent living goals. In developing a rehabilitation plan, you and your counselor will select one of five tracks

been referred to a military Physical Evaluation Board or are participating

to pursue: reemployment, rapid access to employment, self-employment,

in the DoD/VA Integrated Disability Evaluation System process

employment through long-term services, or independent living services.

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VA BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT FIND THE RIGHT CAREER PATH FOR YOU VR&E can help you obtain one of four different employment options by

How to Apply. To apply for VR&E benefits, fill out the Disabled Veterans

working with you to establish a rehabilitation plan with specific goals.

Application for Vocational Rehabilitation form (VA Form 28-1900).

If you have service-connected disabilities that are so severe that you cannot immediately consider work, then the independent living services

You can access this form by: ï Applying online via www.ebenefits.va.gov, your one-stop shop to

track may be right for you.

apply for and learn about your benefits After a rehabilitation plan is developed, the VRC will help you implement it to achieve suitable employment or independent living. If the VRC believes

ï Visit www.VetSuccess.gov

you need additional services, then the counselor may provide you with

ï Downloading the form at www.va.gov/forms

medical and dental referrals, tutorial assistance, adjustment counseling,

ï Calling VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000 to have a claim form mailed to you

and other services necessary for you to achieve your goals.

ï Visiting your local VA VR&E office. For the VA VR&E office nearest you, call VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000

Other Support. VA pays for tuition, fees, books, equipment, tools, or other supplies you need to succeed in your rehabilitation program. During your program, you may qualify for a monthly subsistence allowance to help you meet the additional commuting or living expenses you incur while in a training program. The amount of the allowance is based on your type of training, rate of attendance, and number of dependents. You will receive this allowance in addition to any VA compensation or military retired pay you may already receive.

Track

Goals of Rehabilitation Plan

Who It Is For

Reemployment

Consultation with the employer, job accommodations, job modification, and case management; coordination and referral for services, such as VA health care, reemployment rights advice, and work adjustment services

Servicemembers leaving active duty due to medical issues and Veterans with service-connected disabilities

Rapid Access to Employment

Job readiness preparation, résumé development, job search assistance, employment resource development, job accommodations, and post-employment follow-up

Those who express a desire to seek employment soon after separation or who already have the necessary skills and/or training to be competitive in the job market in an appropriate occupation

Self-Employment

Analysis of your business concept, development of a business plan, training in operating small businesses, marketing and financial assistance, and guidance in obtaining adequate resources to implement the business plan

Those who have limited access to traditional employment, need flexible work schedules, or need an accommodating work environment due to disabling conditions or other life curcumstances

Employment Through Long-Term Services

Training and education, including: On-the-Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, work monitoring, work-study, public-private job partnering, or higher education sufficient to qualify for and enter suitable employment

Those who need specialized training and/or education to obtain and maintain suitable employment

Independent Living Services

Assistive technology, independent living skills training, and connection to community-based support services

Those who are not currently ready for employment and need rehabilitation services to live more independently

VETERANS WITHOUT EMPLOYMENT HANDICAPS Some Veterans who apply for VR&E may not be deemed to have an employment handicap. In these cases, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors provide career counseling services and help in locating other resources to address rehabilitation and employment needs. Such Veterans may be referred to one or more of the following: ï State vocational rehabilitation programs

VA also offers career counseling services to:

ï Department of Labor employment programs

ï Servicemembers six months prior to discharge

ï State, federal, or local agencies providing services for

ï Veterans eligible for any VA education benefits,

employment or small business development ï Internet-based resources for rehabilitation and employment ï Information about applying for financial aid

such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill ï Veterans within one year following discharge

VA BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Can I obtain VR&E services if I have a service-connected disability rating of less than 20%?

Yes, you can obtain such services if you are a Veteran with a rating of 10% and are found to have a serious employment handicap (SEH). You may also qualify without a VA rating if you are a severely ill or injured Servicemember who has been referred to a military Physical Evaluation Board or is currently participating in the DoD/VA Integrated Disability Evaluation System process.

What does a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) do?

A VRC evaluates your interests, aptitudes, and abilities. A VRC also determines if you are entitled to VR&E services and, if you are, helps you establish a rehabilitation plan to find appropriate work or achieve more independence in daily living.

Based on your skills and interests, a VRC will explore career possibilities with you, such as returning to your previous job, training for a new job, or starting your own business.

I had a job before I went on active duty.

Now that I separated from the military, will I go back to work at the same company?

Returning to your previous company is one option you can consider. A VRC will work with you and representatives from the Department of Labor to ensure that your re-employment rights are upheld and your former employer makes reasonable accommodations if you wish to return to work there.

VA adopted five core values that define “Who We Are,” our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families, and other beneficiaries. The values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (I- CARE).

ADDITIONAL VA BENEFITS Disabilities determined by VA to be related to your military service can lead to monthly non- taxable compensation, enrollment in the VA health care system, a 10-point hiring preference for federal employment, and other important benefits. Ask your VA representative or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative about Disability Compensation, Pension, Health Care, Caregiver Program, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services, Educational Assistance, Home Loan Guaranty, Insurance, and/or Dependents’ and Survivors’ Benefits. You can search for a VSO representative online at www.eBenefits.va.gov.

www.eBenefits.va.gov

www.VetSuccess.gov

eBenefits is a portal; a central location for Veterans,

Find current job listings from employers seeking to hire Veterans.

Service Members, and their families to research, find, access,

You can also find the nearest VR&E office and other information,

and, in time, manage their benefits and personal information.

such as tips about applying for a job, interviewing, and writing

Find links to VA benefits information and apply here.

a good résumé and cover letter.

www.VA .gov/Benefits

www.IRIS.CustHelp.com

As one of three administrations within VA, the Veterans Benefits

Use IRIS, VA’s tool to find information and ask questions online.

Administration (VBA), in partnership with the Veterans Health

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Administration and the National Cemetery Administration, provides

Toll Free Number: 1-800 -827-1000

benefits and services to Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families

To visit the nearest VA regional office, find the VA regional office

in recognition of their service to the Nation.

nearest you at our website or call VA toll free at 1-800 -827-1000

VA PAM 28-12-1 September 2012 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Washington, DC 20420 T 800-827-1000 www.va.gov/benefits

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.”

- George Washington

VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS info@VAREP.net

w w w . V A R E P. n e t

951- 444 -7363