This bill expands eligibility for certain housing programs for qualified volunteer first responders. It defines a "qualified volunteer first responder" as a bona fide volunteer who: continuously served for the same eligible employer for the past 2 years; during each of those 2 years met the employer's minimum active membership rules or volunteered at least 200 hours; and is certified as a firefighter or other first responder in the State, local area, or Indian Tribe where they serve.
For the USDA single-family housing guaranteed loan program, a qualifying volunteer who submits a verification letter can get an $18,000 deduction in annual income under 7 C.F.R. 3555.152(c). The required verification letter must show the date the volunteer joined, attest that the 2-year and hours/membership rules are met, and include a copy of the responder certification.
For HUD single-family property disposition programs that offer discounted home prices to firefighters or emergency medical technicians, a qualifying volunteer who submits a verification letter can be treated as a firefighter or EMT for those programs. That verification letter must include the join date, attest to the 2-year and hours/membership rules, include the certification, and include the volunteer's certification that they intend to continue volunteering for at least 1 year after closing.
If you are a certified volunteer firefighter or other certified volunteer first responder who has served continuously for 2 years and met the hours or membership rules, you could:
If you are not a qualifying volunteer first responder, this bill does not create new eligibility for you.
The bill specifies an $18,000 annual income deduction for qualifying volunteers under the USDA rule cited. No publicly available information on the bill's estimated federal budget cost, overall savings, or administrative costs.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.