| |
McCune's bill to assist
veterans with
home purchases signed by governor
Rep. Jim McCune's bill, that
would create a down-payment assistance program for veterans, was signed
by the governor Monday in Olympia. House Bill 2471 passed both the House
and Senate unanimously last month.
“I’m pleased to see this bill become law,” said McCune, R-Graham. “I’m
also glad that some of our veterans could be here today to witness this
event. This program should help many of them buy their first home. Many
veterans are just returning home from Iraq and other areas. The timing
of this program is just right.” McCune invited several veterans from his
district to accompany him to the bill signing.
House Bill 2471 directs the state Housing Finance Commission (HFC) to
create a down payment assistance program for veterans. The program would
assist Washington state veterans eligible for benefits, members and
former members of the Washington National Guard, and never-remarried
spouses and dependents of deceased, eligible veterans. Those that are
first-time buyers would qualify for financial assistance in purchasing a
home. The program would work in concert with other programs within the
HFC.
Executive Director Kim Herman of the HFC said the program should be up
and running soon. “I expect that we’ll see this new veteran’s down
payment program in place by December of this year. It’s a very
worthwhile effort and I’m glad Representative McCune was able to get
this through this session.”
“This type of program is long overdue,” said McCune. “It’s the least we
can do for the men and women who have served this country so
courageously.”
McCune also supported another bill signed by the governor yesterday that
allows the state’s colleges and universities to set up a tuition waiver
program for veterans. He attended the signing ceremony for HB 2233 along
with veteran’s groups.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
|
|