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Varep

History

1999

Our founder left the Navy with bad credit, little financial knowledge, and no guidance on the VA home loan benefit. Misled by real estate and lending professionals, he was steered into another loan product and denied the chance to use his earned benefit. That injustice became the driving force behind VAREP’s mission.

2008

After discovering the lack of VSO representation in VA home loans, financial, and housing counseling, he set out to create a nonprofit serving low- to moderate-income families, especially military, veterans, surviving spouses, and their families.

2011

USA Homeownership Foundation Inc., DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), was established as a 501(c)(3). VAREP began training real estate, lending, and housing professionals on VA loans and military culture.

2012

VAREP launched its first five chapters in California, training local professionals, combating VA loan bias, and raising funds for veteran grants.

2014

VAREP began advocating for veteran housing rights, hosting its first annual Policy Conference and National Convention for members to share, learn, and serve.

2015

VAREP launched the “House a Vet” mortgage-free home donation program and “Freedom Flippers” program renovating blighted homes into affordable homeownership for LMI families.

2016

VAREP introduced the Stop, Drop, Push Campaign (SDP) for veteran suicide prevention, offering grants for holistic therapies like yoga, fly-fishing, surfing, and martial arts.

2017

VAREP became the only HUD-certified housing affiliate Veteran Service Organization, expanding into financial and housing counseling. It also launched Veteran Housing Summits and the H.E.L.P. Class, a HUD-approved pre-purchase education program.

2019

VAREP formed two sister nonprofits: VETCares, Inc. as its charitable arm, and VAREP, Inc. DBA Veterans Housing & Financial Alliance (VHFA), a 501(c)(19) VSO serving as its advocacy arm.

2020

VAREP expanded housing resources by establishing Valor Mortgage Group (VMG) and USA Homeownership Realty, a reciprocal referral brokerage.

2021

Adding to its financial and housing Continuum of Service (CoS), VAREP launched MVP Insurance Services administered by Lockton Affinity.

2023

VAREP opened Veteran Economic & Housing Outreach Centers (VEHOCs) in CA, NV, VA, MD, TX, and FL, along with a Virtual VEHOC to provide nationwide service.

2024

VAREP launched the MVP Heroes Housing Network (MVPHHN), a referral and real estate savings platform for military, veterans, and community heroes including police, firefighters, first responders, teachers, civil servants, and healthcare professionals.

2025

VAREP launched Free National Core Memberships, On-Demand Financial & Housing Counseling, and Enhanced Subscriptions, strengthening its community impact.

2026

VAREP launched the Military & Veteran Counseling Certification (MVCC), a national program training HUD-certified housing counselors in military culture, the VA loan, and essential veteran programs. In conjunction, the VHFA continues to advocate for passage of the VSO Bill, VALID Act, Military Financial Literacy Act (MFLA), VA Loan Access & Representation Act (VALAR), and the Housing Counseling Inclusion Act.