Volunteer First Responder Housing Act

Key Points

• This bill helps volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians buy homes by giving them access to federal housing programs. Right now, many of these benefits are only available to full-time, paid first responders.
• To qualify, a volunteer must have served for at least two years. They also need to work at least 200 hours a year or meet their local department's requirements for active membership.
• The plan allows volunteers to use a $18,000 income deduction when applying for certain rural housing loans from the Department of Agriculture. This deduction helps volunteers meet the income rules needed to get a government-backed mortgage.
• It also lets volunteers participate in federal programs that sell homes at a discount. This allows them to buy homes in the communities they serve, as long as they are certified in their state or local area.
• Volunteers would need to provide a letter from their department head to prove their service. They must also promise to keep volunteering for at least one year after they buy their home.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.