Hays County Chosen For Support To Veterans

VLB lowers interest rates for veterans affected by disaster

The Hays County Commissioners Court learned September 1 that in Fiscal Year 2014 the county was one of the top 10 in the state in Veteran Land Board loans for homes, land and home improvements. Texas Veterans Land Board Veterans Liaison Ken Wallingford said that more than $11.2 million in low-interest loans were made in Hays County to veterans. Texas is one of only five states that have a Veterans Land Board.

Wallingford presented a plaque to the Court and thanked the Court and the Hays County Veteran Services Office for their assistance to the more than 13,000 veterans who call Hays County home.

The VLB also announced that it was lowering interest rates for home improvement loans for disaster-affected veterans to zero, and reducing home purchase interest rates to 2.6% after discussions with the Hays County Veterans Service Office and state representatives. Details of the loan programs will be available soon at www.glo.texas.gov/vlb.

Following the presentation, Hays County Veteran Services Officer Jude Prather told the Court that in the aftermath of the Memorial Weekend disaster, the Hays County Veteran Services Office (VSO) joined with veteran groups throughout Hays County to support affected veterans with more than $6,300 in gift cards and temporary housing costs. Prather said that just a month prior to the Memorial Weekend tragedy, Hays County VSO hosted a summit where veteran organizations discussed emergency planning and so all were ready to help when the flood and storms struck. He also noted that the VSO assisted in coordinating a ceremony to present replacement medals, purchased by David Adams of VFW Post 3413, to a Wimberley-area Vietnam veteran whose house was destroyed by the flood.

Jim Clements of Central Texas Returning Heroes Organization, which is serving as a local umbrella organization for disaster relief to veterans, said the group will honor two Patriots of the Year – one a first responder, one a veteran – for their service to the community at the first annual Patriot of the Year Banquet September 10. Tickets are available at www.facebook.com/CTRHO.