Dear Tribal Leader:

VA invites Tribal Leaders (or their designee) to a tribal consultation session hosted by VA Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) to discuss upcoming changes to the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program. The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (hereinafter, the Act) aims to enhance the healthcare, benefits, and overall support for Native American Veterans. Key provisions within the Act include the expansion of the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program in several ways, including:

1. Section 231(a) amended 38 U.S.C. § 3762(a) and (b) provided VA more flexibility when working with Tribal organizations that want to participate in the NADL program. For example, where prior law required VA to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Tribal organization having jurisdiction over a Veteran before VA could make a NADL, VA now has discretion to make a NADL under a variety of agreements.
2. Section 231(b) amended 38 U.S.C. § 3762(h) to allow VA to offer a broader range of refinance options to Native American Veterans living on trust land, including construction refinances and refinances of loans that VA did not originate. The change provides more parity with Veterans who can utilize a variety of refinance options in the guaranteed loan program. The change also helps Native American Veterans move from less advantageous loan products into NADL program loans that better fit their financial needs, often with a lower-than-market interest rate.
3. Section 231(e) amended 38 U.S.C. § 3765 by adding new definitions and revising current definitions, which, for example, should help eliminate some of the restrictions that have prevented Native American Veterans in places like Alaska from obtaining NADL program loans.

VA wants successful outcomes for our Tribal partners and the goal for the tribal consultation session is to better understand the unique aspects of American Indian and Alaska Native communities that may impact their ability to benefit from the NADL program. This input will inform VA as it contemplates how to implement the changes in the Act.

VA asks attendees to review the references listed above before attending the tribal consultation session and welcomes input from Tribal Leaders (or their designee) on questions presented below as well as any other topics Tribal Leaders would like to raise.

1. What are the benefits you hope will result from the changes described in items 1-3 above?
2. What are some of the challenges or considerations VA needs to be aware of when determining how to implement the changes described in items 1-3 above?
3. Are there other recommendations, concerns, or suggestions that VA should consider?

The session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 3:00-4:15 pm (Eastern Time) in Room “Salon AB” at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Washington DC – Crystal City during the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) National Tribal Housing Summit.

The deadline to submit written comments is November 20, 2026. Additional virtual consultation sessions may be scheduled prior to the deadline. Please submit written comments to tribalgovernmentconsultation@va.gov. For questions regarding these efforts, please contact Justin Stephenson with the NADL Team by email at justin.stephenson@va.gov, or Stephanie Birdwell at Stephanieelaine.Birdwell@va.gov.