As this email exchange demonstrates (reproduced with the permission of Marcus), HAP fell way short of helping this deployed servicemember, now deployed to a combat zone. We have a long way to go.
Dear Marcus,
First of all, thanks for serving. We are very aware of the sacrifice you make to defend our country. As retired military, taxpayer / citizen, I find it appalling that our elected officials will not address this inequity. We ask so much from our Military Members / Families and throw so many resources at far less worth causes, that I simply can’t understand it and can only apologize for the insensitivity of our elected officials, and our population as a whole.
You are clearly doing what you can at this point by writing every official you can touch. I encourage you to do so again and again. Ask all of your family members, colleagues, and every like minded friend to do the same until they listen. I wish I could offer better solutions, but I can’t at this point. I would like to ask if I could post this on our forum. Will remove name / rank If desired (or just use first name, etc.). Also, next month I am due to address an audience of Realtors, including members of the National Association of Realtors, whom I am hoping to convince to use their very substantial political clout to address this issue. I would like to use our email exchange as an example of what is happening to thousands of military members just like you. If desired, will not use your real name / rank, or any other parameters you desire. I believe this would be a very powerful example to reinforce my comments.
I certainly appreciate your contacting me and will my best effort to help. Are you OK with my offer? Be safe.
Joe Gladden
Mr Gladden, I just read an article you wrote in Military.com and I wanted to write to you and say that the Hap Program as you stated ”Didn’t help me”. I applied for benefits, was denied benefits because I missed the cutoff for purchasing my home by 28 days. 28 days is what disqualified me for assistance. Now we are forced to sell our home in a short sale, and we face a $60,000 deficit that we actually will have to pay back over the next 20 years. However there is some light I hope at the end of the tunnel. Congresswoman Dina Titus is sponsoring HR 4324 a bill that will amend the dates and hopefully it will pass and I will get some relief.
The reality of it all my house was purchased for $308K and was appraised for $345K. I received PCS orders and when I went to sell it, it was appraised for $235K and I have been going through a short sale since May of 2009. To make matters worse I am deployed to Afghanistan and I found out that my request for benefits was denied as well as my appeal. I have attached the documents showing this as well as the Bill in legislation. Just wanted to get your insight and maybe some advise. I have contacted 9 congressmen and Senators regarding this with little feedback from them. Hope to hear from you soon.
Warrant Officer Marcus Tanner
FOB Delhi, Afghanistan