,i #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #idjd ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #bc1 #bjbf,ms4 ,escobar 7for herself and ,mr4 ,bergman7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend chapter #cg of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to direct the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to provide support services to veterans in navigating housing loan benefits administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,,va ,home ,loan ,navigator ,act4 #b4 ,borrower support services for housing loans administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #cg of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #cgcg the following new section3 #cgch4 ,borrower support services for housing loans 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a program under which the ,secretary shall provide services described in subsection 7b7 to veteran borrowers and other eligible borrowers to assist such borrowers in navigating the housing loan benefits under this chapter4 7b7 ,authorized services ,the services described in this subsection include-- 7#a7 education regarding the housing loan benefits under this chapter2 7#b7 assistance obtaining or resolving issues relating to a certificate of eligibility for such benefits2 7#c7 counseling regarding the origination1 refinancing1 and closing processes for housing loans2 7#d7 guidance regarding appraisal requirements1 property standards1 and loan documentation2 7#e7 assistance navigating loan servicing matters2 7#f7 counseling relating to loss mitigation options and foreclosure prevention2 7#g7 coordination between borrowers1 mortgage servicers1 and the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 and 7#h7 education regarding costs1 fees1 and financial obligations associated with housing1 including commissions of brokers4 7c7 ,voluntary2 no cost ,receipt of services described in subsection 7b7 shall be provided only to borrowers who choose to receive them and shall be provided at no cost to the borrower4 7d7 ,use of entities designated by the ,secretary 7#a7 ,the ,secretary may provide the services described in subsection 7b7 through entities designated by the ,secretary under subsection 7e7 and may enter into contracts or other agreements with such organizations to provide such services4 7#b7 ,in providing such services1 an entity so designated-- 7,a7 shall act solely as an independent1 neutral intermediary2 and 7#c7 may not act as an agent of1 or on behalf of1 any mortgage lender1 servicer1 or real estate professional4 7e7 ,designation of entities 7#a7 ,the ,secretary may designate an entity under this subsection only if the entity-- 7,a7 is approved by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development as a housing counseling agency2 7,b7 is a nonprofit organization with a primary mission of serving veterans1 members of the ,united ,states ,armed ,forces1 or military families2 7,c7 demonstrates expertise in ,department of ,veteran ,affairs home loan benefits2 7,d7 demonstrates expertise in housing counseling1 financial literacy1 foreclosure prevention1 rental guidance1 and housing issues affecting the military and veteran community2 7,e7 demonstrates the capacity to provide services on a multi-,state or national basis2 7,f7 demonstrates the capacity to develop1 administer1 and oversee training1 certification1 and performance standards for the individual counselors providing services under this section4 7#b7 ,in selecting entities for designation under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall prioritize entities with demonstrated experience delivering housing counseling and financial literacy services to the military-connected community4 7f7 ,certification of individual counselors 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 certify individuals as counselors authorized to provide services under this section4 ,in doing so1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 specify the requirements that the individual must meet for initial certification and recertification1 including requirements relating to continuing education and ongoing training2 and 7,b7 require such an individual to be recertified not less frequently than every three years4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary may enter into contracts or other agreements with nonprofit organizations to carry out the activities under this subsection4 7g7 ,independence of services 7#a7 ,an entity providing services under this section-- 7,a7 shall ensure that such services are operationally and financially independent from mortgage origination1 servicing1 and real estate brokerage activities2 and 7,b7 shall not refer or direct any borrower receiving such services to any entity affiliated with or related to the entity providing such services4 7#b7 ,paragraph 7#a7 does not prohibit an entity that provides services under this section from maintaining separate lines of business1 including affiliated entities engaged in mortgage or real estate activities1 as long as the entity has implemented firewalls or other controls as the ,secretary considers appropriate and all other requirements of this section are met4 7h7 ,conflict-of-interest protections 7#a7 ,an entity designated under subsection 7e71 and any employee1 officer1 or contractor of such an entity1 shall not-- 7,a7 receive any compensation1 referral fee1 or other remuneration1 directly or indirectly1 from-- 7i7 a mortgage lender or mortgage servicer2 7ii7 a real estate broker or agent2 or 7iii7 any entity providing loan modification1 refinancing1 or foreclosure-related services2 7,b7 refer a borrower to any specific commercial provider in exchange for anything of value2 or 7,c7 engage in any activity that compromises the independence of the services provided under this section4 7#b7 ,each entity designated under subsection 7e7 shall provide clear and timely disclosure to borrowers and to the ,secretary of any actual or potential conflicts of interest1 including any affiliated business relationships4 7#c7 ,the ,secretary shall establish procedures to ensure services under this section are provided in a manner that preserves borrower choice1 ensures full transparency1 and complies with applicable ,federal consumer protection laws4 7i7 ,coordination with ,housing and ,urban ,development ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall carry out the activities under this section in consultation with the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development and in a manner that makes effective use of the housing counseling activities of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 including the certification1 training1 and reporting activities of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 subject to any changes that the ,secretary considers appropriate to account for the authorities1 missions1 and operations of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7j7 ,enforcement ,the ,secretary may-- 7#a7 suspend or revoke the designation of any entity1 or the certification of any individual1 under this section2 and 7#b7 refer cases of fraud1 abuse1 or unlawful activity to the ,attorney ,general4 7k7 ,report ,not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and on annual basis for each of the next four years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the program under this section4 ,the report shall evaluate the effectiveness of the program with respect to-- 7#a7 borrower satisfaction2 7#b7 utilization of housing loan benefits2 7#c7 foreclosure prevention outcomes2 7#d7 loss mitigation completion rates2 7#e7 redefault rates following loss mitigation2 and 7#f7 cost-effectiveness of services provided4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #cg of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cgcg the following new item3 #cgch4 ,borrower support services for housing loans4 4