WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) applauded Senate passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act — a legislative package designed to help Arkansans achieve the American dream of homeownership that also includes the Veterans Affairs Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act of 2025 championed by Boozman and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

The VALID Act would ensure veterans are fully informed about their financing options, including eligibility for the homebuying assistance benefit earned through their service in uniform. In 2025, only 10 to 15 percent of eligible veterans reported utilizing VA home loans with advantages that include no down payment, no private mortgage insurance and interest rates that are often lower than conventional Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans. 

“Lowering the cost of housing is crucial to help Arkansans keep more money in their pockets and reach key personal and financial milestones. Our veterans particularly deserve that support, yet VA loans are significantly underutilized, demonstrating a clear need to go further in making them aware they qualify for assistance purchasing a home or securing greater savings throughout the life of a mortgage,” said Boozman. “I’m pleased this bipartisan legislation is one step closer to becoming law so more Americans, and especially those who have served and sacrificed in our nation’s uniform, have the opportunity to own a home, put down roots and help grow prosperity.” 

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act addresses obstacles to homeownership through supporting new home construction by private industry, reducing regulation and streamlining outdated review processes, protecting local and state jurisdiction, and delivering reforms to federal housing programs.

Specifically, the package supports these priorities by:

• Assisting former servicemembers with cost comparison tools that clearly display options only available to veterans when purchasing a home through the Boozman-Van Hollen VALID Act;
• Addressing the housing affordability crisis by making it easier and more efficient to rehabilitate and construct homes while incentivizing communities and lenders to help increase supply;
• Empowering accountability efforts within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) housing counseling services;
• Cutting red tape and streamlining environmental reviews by federal departments and agencies including coordinating or combining evaluations for projects funded by both agencies instead of requiring separate reviews; and
• Modernizing outdated requirements on modular and manufactured homes to expand access to these cost-effective housing options.