Widow of Vietnam Veteran struggles with HUD

Program designed to help veterans buy houses leaves widow in more debt
News 4 San Antonio
by Jaie Avila
August 3rd 2018

Vivian Crook paid most of her 30-year mortgage on her own. Her husband Steve, a Vietnam veteran, suffered from depression and committed suicide just two years after they moved in.

SAN ANTONIO - A government program that was supposed to help veterans instead leads to heartache. A local widow struggled for decades to pay off her home, only to find out she doesn't own it; the government does.

It was called the 235 Program, offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to veterans and their families. The deal sounded promising: HUD pays part of your mortgage payment.

However, you are never able to sell, refinance, or pass the home on to your children. Jaie Avila investigated that housing program which may have impacted many other San Antonio families.

Vivian Crook paid most of her 30-year mortgage on her own. Her husband Steve, a Vietnam veteran, suffered from depression and committed suicide just two years after they moved in.

“It's been very hard on me. I've been here 30-years and paid my house off and come to find out, I don't own my house,” Vivian says.

The couple had explored a V.A. loan, but the builder told them about the special HUD program.
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Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Removal of Section 235 Home Ownership Program Regulations