Tennessee Veterans Get Top Priority for Rural Housing Loans: USDA Approves Fiscal 2027 Waiver, Surviving Spouses Included
NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Patrick Jaynes, Tennessee State Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, announced on November 10 that the agency has approved a housing waiver for fiscal year 2027 granting priority one application status to military veterans and surviving spouses of deceased veterans applying for assistance through the Section 502 Single Family Housing Loan Program. The announcement came in recognition of Veterans Day 2026.
Jaynes said few acts of service are greater than the decision to serve one's country, and that the move demonstrates gratitude through meaningful action that places veterans and surviving spouses at the forefront of housing assistance efforts. He said the step was taken under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
The approved waiver establishes veterans and surviving spouses as priority one applicants, the highest level of application priority under the program in Tennessee, and the designation will apply to eligible applicants throughout fiscal year 2027. USDA noted that the priority designation establishes application processing priority only and does not guarantee loan approval; applicants must continue to meet program eligibility requirements. The Section 502 program helps eligible applicants obtain safe, decent, and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas.
The initiative complements existing Tennessee Rural Development housing efforts focused on veterans, including the Homes for Hometown Vets Small House Pilot Program, established in 2025, and the Project 250 Home Repair Program.
(Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Nashville 的田纳西州议会大厦。本稿所述住房优先安排由美国农业部乡村发展署田纳西州办公室宣布、在田纳西州执行。照片：Kaldari，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The housing priority was announced by USDA Rural Development's Tennessee office and applies in Tennessee. Photo: Kaldari, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
