Reps. Axne, Bost Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Volunteer Firefighters Access Affordable Housing
Today, Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03) and Mike Bost (IL-12) introduced bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to give volunteer firefighters and first responders access to affordable housing programs in order to help Iowa fire departments recruit and retain more volunteers.
The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act would expand access to two existing federal housing programs for qualified firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel – the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program – in order to improve recruitment and retention for volunteer departments.
“Iowa’s communities are protected every single day by our volunteer firefighters. Iowans look to these brave men and women to protect their homes, their health, and in times like we’ve seen recently, help in the task of repairing our towns after a natural disaster,” said Rep. Axne. “Federal housing agencies already have programs in place to help provide affordable housing – and as our firehouses look to recruit the next generation of volunteers, it is only right that we expand that assistance to include those who volunteer to put their lives on the line to protect their fellow Iowans.”
“As a former firefighter, I know how hard it can be for small, rural fire departments to recruit and retain qualified volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel,” said Rep. Bost. “Our first responders run selflessly toward danger every day to protect their neighbors and their homes. They shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they can receive assistance for their own.”
More than 90% of Iowa’s 16,000 firefighters are volunteers, and 92% of the 850 fire departments in the state are volunteer. Departments across the country are experiencing difficulty when recruiting the next generation of volunteers – especially in communities smaller than 2,500, where one of every three firefighters is over the age of 50.
The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program helps lenders provide loans to low or moderate income households in rural areas. The legislation introduced today would allow qualified first responders to deduct $18,000 from their incomes for the purposes of eligibility.
The expanded access included in this legislation for the Good Neighbor Next Door Program would also give discounts on homes owned by HUD in certain revitalization areas to volunteer firefighters and EMS.
Support for the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act
The bill has the support of the National Volunteer Fire Council, National Rural Housing Coalition, National Association of Towns and Townships, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and National Association of Counties.
“The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act is an important step toward incentivizing and rewarding the fire and EMS volunteers that selflessly protect and serve millions of people across the country. Given the uncertain times we are facing today, we need all the tools we can to recruit and retain these essential volunteers who must also earn a living and find good housing for them and their families,” said Bryan Smith, President of National Association of Towns and Townships and Executive Director, Township Officials of Illinois. “Providing affordable housing opportunities to these quiet heroes is a great step and the National Association of Towns and Townships appreciates Representatives Axne and Bost for their commitment to making it happen.”
“I’d like to thank Representatives Axne and Bost for their leadership in introducing the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act. Many fire, EMS, and rescue departments are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain volunteer personnel. Helping volunteer emergency responders buy, renovate, or refinance their home is a fantastic retention incentive that also makes it easier for volunteers to continue living in the community where they serve," said Steve Hirsch, Chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council.