VA Form 26-0585: VA Fair Housing Advertising Guidelines

VA Form 26-0585: VA Fair Housing Advertising Guidelines – VA Form 26-0585, titled VA Advertising Guidelines for Fair Housing, is an official reference document published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It provides clear, practical instructions to help anyone advertising residential real estate or residential financing comply with federal fair housing laws.

The form (dated December 2012) remains the key VA-specific guidance referenced in VA builder approvals, lender certifications, and affirmative marketing requirements. It helps ensure that advertising for properties and loans — including those involving VA home loans — does not discriminate and affirmatively reaches all potential homebuyers.

Legal Foundation: Fair Housing Act Requirements

VA Form 26-0585 is grounded in two key sections of the Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended):

  • Section 804(c) — Prohibits advertising the sale or rental of housing in a way that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap (disability), familial status, or national origin.
  • Section 805 — Prohibits discrimination by financial institutions in making residential loans or providing financial assistance on the same protected bases.

These rules apply to anyone involved in advertising housing or financing, including real estate agents, brokers, lenders offering VA loans, builders, and developers. Compliance protects veterans and all homebuyers while helping advertisers avoid serious legal and regulatory risks.

Who Needs to Follow VA Form 26-0585?

This guidance is especially important for:

  • VA-approved lenders advertising home loan options
  • Real estate professionals marketing properties to VA-eligible buyers
  • Builders and developers participating in VA loan programs or seeking VA builder ID / reasonable value appraisals
  • Anyone creating print, digital, classified, outdoor, radio, or television advertising for residential real estate or financing

Many VA program participants must certify that their advertising follows these exact guidelines (often via related forms such as VA Affirmative Marketing Certification requirements).

Key Requirements of VA Form 26-0585

The form outlines straightforward, actionable rules. Here are the core requirements:

1. Equal Housing Opportunity Logo, Slogan, or Statement

Every advertisement for residential real estate for sale or rent, and every advertisement for residential financing, must include an Equal Housing Opportunity logo, the slogan “EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY,” or the full statement below.

Recommended Equal Housing Opportunity Statement:
“We are pledged to the letter and the spirit of the United States policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.”

Logo Size Rule: If other logos appear in the ad, the Equal Housing Opportunity logo must be comparable in size to the other logos.

2. Use of Human Models

When human models appear in display advertising, they must reasonably represent the diversity of potential homebuyers in the metropolitan area. The models should clearly signal that the housing and financing are open to everyone, regardless of protected characteristics.

3. No Selective Use of Guidelines

You cannot apply the Equal Housing Opportunity logo, slogan, or statement only to certain developments, sites, or media that reach limited audiences while omitting it from others. Selective use can be viewed as an attempt to circumvent fair housing requirements and may result in non-compliance.

4. Special Rule for Classified Newspaper Advertising

It is not necessary to place the logo, slogan, or statement in every individual classified ad if the real estate advertising section of the newspaper begins with this specific notice:

“All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, as amended which makes it illegal to advertise ‘any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.’ This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

How to Download the Official VA Form 26-0585?

This is the official, current version of the form published by the VA. Do not rely on third-party or unofficial copies.

Download VA Form 26-0585 (PDF) – Official VA Source

The form is a concise one-page reference. Keep a copy readily available for your marketing and compliance teams.

Practical Tips for Implementing the Guidelines

  • Include the EHO element in every relevant ad — print flyers, brochures, websites, social media posts, email campaigns, billboards, and radio/TV spots that promote housing or financing.
  • Choose the right format for the medium — Use the logo or slogan in visual ads; use the full statement or a clear voice-over in audio/video ads.
  • Make the logo visible and properly sized — Download official graphics from HUD and match the size of other logos in the same advertisement.
  • Review all advertising channels regularly — Create a simple checklist for every campaign that includes the EHO requirement.
  • Train your team — Ensure everyone creating or approving ads understands both what to include and what language or imagery to avoid.
  • Document your compliance — Keep records of ads and the EHO elements used, especially if you participate in VA builder or lender programs.

Best Practices for Digital and Modern Advertising

Although VA Form 26-0585 was written before widespread digital marketing, the same principles apply online:

  • Place the Equal Housing Opportunity logo or statement prominently on listing pages, lender websites, and landing pages targeting VA buyers.
  • Include it in Google Ads, Facebook/Instagram ads, and email newsletters that promote specific properties or financing options.
  • Use diverse imagery that reflects the community you serve.
  • Avoid any language or targeting that could be interpreted as excluding protected classes (even unintentionally).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Omitting the EHO logo/slogan/statement from some ads while using it in others (selective use).
  • Using models that do not reflect the diversity of the local market.
  • Placing the logo too small or in an inconspicuous location when other logos are prominent.
  • Failing to update classified ad section notices in newspapers.
  • Assuming “everyone knows we don’t discriminate” — affirmative inclusion is required.

Related VA Forms and Equal Opportunity Resources

Several related VA forms reference or work alongside these advertising guidelines:

  • VA Affirmative Marketing Certification requirements (often tied to builder approvals)
  • VA Equal Opportunity Lender Certification forms

These certifications typically require participants to confirm they will advertise in accordance with VA Form 26-0585 guidelines and affirmatively market to minority and female veteran homebuyers.

Official Sources and Further Reading

Here are trusted, current resources for deeper compliance information:

Frequently Asked Questions About VA Form 26-0585

Is VA Form 26-0585 still current?

Yes. Although dated December 2012, it has not been superseded and continues to be the referenced VA advertising guideline in builder and lender compliance contexts.

Do I have to use the logo, or is the statement enough?

You may use the logo, the slogan “EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY,” or the full recommended statement. The logo is preferred in most visual advertising when sized appropriately.

Does this apply to online advertising and social media?

Yes. The underlying Fair Housing Act requirements apply to all advertising media, including websites, social media, email, and digital ads.

What happens if I don’t follow these guidelines?

Non-compliance can result in complaints to HUD, VA program sanctions, loss of VA lender or builder approval, and potential legal liability under the Fair Housing Act.

Where can I get the official Equal Housing Opportunity logo?

Download official high-resolution graphics directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at the HUD graphics page linked above.

Conclusion

VA Form 26-0585 gives lenders, realtors, and builders a clear, practical roadmap for compliant advertising. By consistently including the Equal Housing Opportunity logo, slogan, or statement — and ensuring diverse, inclusive representation — you demonstrate commitment to serving all veterans and homebuyers fairly while protecting your business from regulatory risk.

Download the official form today, review your current advertising materials against the guidelines, and make fair housing compliance a standard part of every campaign.

For the most accurate and up-to-date requirements, always refer directly to the official VA and HUD sources listed above.