Baldwin, Cramer Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Lower Housing Costs for Volunteer First Responders

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act, bipartisan legislation to lower the cost of housing for volunteer firefighters and first responders. The effort would help recruit and retain more volunteer first responders, especially in rural and underserved communities.

"Our volunteer first responders risk their lives every single day to protect their communities from fires, accidents, natural disasters, and so much more - all out of the goodness of their hearts and commitment to their communities. We need to be doing more to support these folks, grow this workforce, and keep our communities safe," said Senator Baldwin. "I'm proud to work with Republicans and Democrats to put homeownership for these brave Americans within reach, allowing the first responders who do this selfless work to afford a house and invest in the communities they protect."

"Volunteer firefighters and first responders are essential members of their local communities, especially in small towns or rural areas facing volunteer shortages," said Senator Cramer. "Our bill aims to ease the burden on our heroes to buy a home or relocate. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act will encourage more people to step up and serve by making them eligible for federal housing assistance programs."

Fire departments and ambulance services across the country rely on volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services practitioners to respond to a wide array of emergencies, including fires, medical incidents, natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, and other general public service calls. According to the National Fire Protection Association's most recent U.S. Fire Department Profile, 65 percent of firefighters nationwide are volunteers. Recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters is critical for thousands of communities, yet local volunteer fire departments, especially departments serving small and rural communities, continue to find it difficult to meet staffing needs and attract younger volunteers.

The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act would address this challenge head on by opening existing affordable housing opportunities to provide an incentive for volunteer firefighters and other responders. The bill expands eligibility for qualified volunteer emergency responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs.

Specifically, the bill makes it possible for more volunteer emergency responders to participate in the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA). This existing program assists approved lenders in providing loans to low- and moderate- income households to build, rehabilitate, or improve a home in eligible rural areas. The bill will allow volunteers to participate in the loan program even if their income exceeds the maximum allowable income level by up to $18,000.

The bill also makes volunteer emergency responders eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. This existing program gives law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians a 50 percent discount from the list price of a home located in a revitalization area.

The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act is supported by National Volunteer Fire Council, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Housing Assistance Council, Wisconsin State Firefighters Association, Wisconsin EMS Association, and Wisconsin Towns Association.

"I'd like to thank Senator Baldwin for her leadership on this important bill," said National Volunteer Fire Council Chair Steve Hirsch. "Many fire, EMS, and rescue departments are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain volunteer personnel. Helping volunteer emergency responders buy or renovate homes is a fantastic retention incentive that makes it easier for volunteers to continue living in the communities they serve."

"Wisconsin's EMS system depends on local people who step forward to serve their neighbors, often as volunteers in small towns and rural communities where every response matters. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act recognizes that housing affordability is a real recruitment and retention issue for EMS and fire services. By helping qualified volunteer first responders access existing federal housing opportunities, this legislation gives communities another practical tool to keep trained first responders close to home and ready to answer the call. The Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA) is proud to support this effort to strengthen volunteer EMS, public safety, and emergency response across our state," said Alan DeYoung, CEO of the Wisconsin EMS Association.

"Volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel provide a critical service to their communities with very limited or no compensation. Considering the nation's housing crisis, I thank Senators Baldwin and Cramer for recognizing the dedication of the volunteer fire and EMS personnel and working to help them purchase homes in their communities," said Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford, the President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

"Counties are on the front lines of emergency response, especially in rural communities where volunteer first responders play a vital role in protecting residents and saving lives. Across the nation, rural counties employ more than 126,000 public safety personnel, including 54,000 first responders," said Matthew Chase, Executive Director of the National Association of Counties. "The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act expands access to affordable housing for our nation's volunteer emergency responders while strengthening the critical county services that help keep our communities safe."

"Affordable housing opportunities are an essential tool in providing safe and vibrant communities throughout Wisconsin. In many rural communities, volunteer first responders are becoming harder to recruit and retain, and better access to housing can provide a critical incentive for attracting the next generation of EMTs, firefighters, and emergency personnel to serve where they are needed most," said Joe Ruth, Wisconsin Towns Association Government Affairs Director.

A one-pager on this bill is available here. Full bill text of this legislation is available here.

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