When Two Crises Collide: Farmers, Veterans, and the Fight to Keep Our Homes

Across America’s heartland and beyond, two storms are converging — and both threaten the stability of our rural communities, our veterans, and our way of life.

On one front, farm mortgage delinquencies are rising. Farmers are battling low commodity prices, higher input costs, and the ripple effects of tariffs that make it harder to sell crops and livestock abroad. Many are borrowing more just to keep operations going, while local banks — the lifeline for rural economies — tighten credit.

On the other front, VA mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures are climbing sharply after the end of the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program earlier this year. That safety net once gave veterans in crisis a chance to restructure their loans and stay in their homes. Without it, thousands of veteran families are now more vulnerable to losing everything they’ve worked for.

These aren’t separate problems — they’re connected. Many veterans live and work in agricultural communities. When farm incomes drop because of tariffs, export losses, or market volatility, the effects ripple outward: jobs disappear, home values fall, and both farmers and veterans find themselves on the edge of foreclosure.

The impact is real:

• Families losing generational farms and homes

• Rural Main Streets shuttering businesses

• Veterans facing homelessness after serving our country

• Local economies weakened, making recovery even harder

At the KOVH Foundation, we know what’s at stake. We were founded on the belief that no veteran should face foreclosure alone — and that protecting housing stability protects communities.

But we can’t do it without you.

Here’s how you can help right now:

1. Share this story — awareness is the first step toward action.

2. Support our “We’ve Got Your Backs” Care Package Project — offering direct relief to veteran families in foreclosure or recovery.

3. Join our National Day of Action on August 15th — stand with us as we call for urgent policy change to protect veterans and rural homeowners.

4. Donate — your gift helps fund housing counseling, advocacy, and emergency support for families at risk.

Together, we can push for smarter policies, stronger safety nets, and fairer trade practices that keep American farmers working, veterans housed, and rural communities thriving.

Let’s make sure the people who fed our nation and fought for our freedoms have the security they deserve.

📅 Mark your calendar: August 15th — National Day of Action 🔗 Learn more and get involved: www.keepourvetshoused.org