WASHINGTON, DC — On November 28, Representatives Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to assist volunteer and career firefighters with their home downpayments and mortgage rates.
H.R. 3358, the Firefighters Affordable Housing Act, would authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may make mortgage assistance payments to volunteer firefighters to lower their federally insured mortgage payments by 2% for their primary residence. In addition, the bill would allow career firefighters to be eligible to make down payments on their homes as low as 1% of the purchase price and not be require them to pay mortgage insurance.
“The recruitment and retention of volunteers remains the number one problem facing America’s volunteer fire service,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “The NVFC is always looking at ways to address this critical issue, and this legislation of would create a strong incentive to encourage the next generation of volunteer firefighters in our country.”
Volunteers comprise nearly 75% of all firefighters in the United States. However, the number of Volunteer Firefighters in the United States has declined over 10% since 1983 while the responsibilities of the volunteer fire service and their call volume continue to increase.
The Bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Contact your Representative Immediately and Ask them to become a cosponsor of H.R. 3358, the Firefighters Affordable Housing Act. If you do not know your Member’s telephone number, visit: www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
