BY JENNIFER WEINGART
Michigan veterans and active military service members impacted by the 2006 foreclosure crisis may now be able to find relief.
The Michigan Veterans Homeowners Assistance program provides five million dollars from a lawsuit settlement as grants for veterans that have faced or are facing losing their home.
Jeff Barnes the director of Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency said that foreclosure to a service member could mean they also lose their security clearance. That can jeopardize their career in the military and interfere with transitions into civilian jobs.
Barnes said having a home can be the point on which a civilian life is built, and without that stability it can be a difficult transition.
"Being able to get them the stable anchor point to start their next chapter of their life is extremely important and homeownership is a major part of that and so this is a major step forward for veterans to take advantage of that have fallen prey to this and we try to help them get back up on their feet and ready to move forward." Barnes said.
Barnes said cases will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis because funds are limited.
For more information visit michigan.gov/veterans.