Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) says bipartisan legislation he has introduced will allow first responders, including police officers and firefighters, to afford homes in communities they serve, while also helping with recruitment.
Rubio and Sen. Jon Ossoff, who introduced the bill alongside Rubio, held a press conference during National Police Week to highlight the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator and Responder (HELPER) Act. The legislation would provide a one-time use home loan to police officers, firefighters, medical first responders and teachers, Fox News reports.
The HELPER Act would create a new home loan assistance program for police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and pre-K-12 teachers who have served for at least four years in their respective roles. The act would eliminate mortgage down payment and monthly mortgage insurance premium requirements.
"Too often those heroes in our communities can't afford to live in those communities that they serve," Ossoff, a Georgia Democrat, said during the Tuesday press conference. "So, we've come together, Democrats and Republicans" to announce this "bipartisan legislation aimed at making homeownership more affordable for heroes and public servants."
