Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., who chairs the Veterans Land Board, announced the top lenders and loan officers of 2026 for the board’s Veterans Housing Assistance Program, the General Land Office said in an Oct. 30 news release.
The office said the program helped nearly 1,000 Texas veterans purchase a home this year and that, for more than 40 years, it has worked to make homeownership a reality for veterans, members of the military and their families.
“As Land Commissioner and VLB Chairwoman, serving our men and women in uniform is one of our highest priorities,” Buckingham said. “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.”
According to the release, the program’s top five participating mortgage lenders in 2026 were Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc.; Gateway Mortgage; Fairway Independent Mortgage; Network Funding; and SWBC Mortgage. The office said those lenders and its other lending partners served 944 veterans and their families, underwriting more than $382.5 million in loans.
The board also recognized the program’s top five loan officers: Julie Velasco of Network Funding; Anastasia Hitzfelder of Cornerstone Home Lending; Jimmy Alexander of SWBC Mortgage; Ryan Bray of Veterans United Home Loans; and Darin Smith of Cornerstone Home Lending. The office said those individuals served 120 veterans and secured nearly $50 million in financing on their behalf.
The agency said eligible Texas veterans and military members can buy a home through the program with a competitive, low-interest loan and little or no down payment. Veterans, military members and their spouses may receive up to $832,750 on a fixed-rate loan with a 15-, 20-, 25- or 30-year term, and veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or greater qualify for a discounted interest rate, according to the release.