AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced the VLB Veterans Housing Assistance Program's top lenders and loan officers of 2026.
This essential program helped nearly 1,000 Texas Veterans purchase a new home this year. For more than 40 years, the VLB Veterans Housing Assistance Program has transformed the lives of Veterans, members of the military, and their families by making the American Dream of homeownership a reality.
"As Land Commissioner and VLB Chairwoman, serving our men and women in uniform is one of our highest priorities," said Commissioner Buckingham. "I am proud to help our Veterans achieve the American dream of home ownership through the VLB's Home Loan Program. We could not do it without strong partners who share in our desire to provide exceptional customer service and real results for these heroes. We are so proud of our work here at the VLB, and our mission is to give back to those who have done so much for us."
In 2026, the Veterans Housing Assistance Program's top five participating mortgage lenders were:
- Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc.
- Gateway Mortgage
- Fairway Independent Mortgage
- Network Funding
- SWBC Mortgage
Together, these and our other lending partners served 944 Veterans and their families, underwriting over $382,569,634 in loans.
Additionally, the VLB would like to recognize the program's top five loan officers who worked directly with our Veterans and guided them through the process:
- Julie Velasco, Network Funding
- Anastasia Hitzfelder, Cornerstone Home Lending
- Jimmy Alexander, SWBC Mortgage
- Ryan Bray, Veterans United Home Loans
- Darin Smith, Cornerstone Home Lending
These individuals served 120 veterans and secured nearly $50,000,000 in financing on their behalf.
Veterans interested in applying for a home loan through the VLB Veterans Housing Assistance Program, please click the button below to learn more:
Eligible Texas Veterans and Military Members have an opportunity to purchase a home with a competitive, low-interest loan with little or no down payment. Veterans, Military Members and their spouses may receive up to $832,750 on a fixed-rate loan for 15, 20, 25 or 30 year terms*. Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater qualify for a discounted interest rate.
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.