Volunteer First Responder Housing Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8789
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T21:40:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Volunteer First Responder Housing Act
Purpose This legislation expands access to federal housing assistance for qualified volunteer first responders by providing income deductions in USDA loan programs and eligibility for discounted home purchases through HUD property disposition programs.
Key Provisions
- Defines "qualified volunteer first responder" as an individual who is a bona fide volunteer performing qualified services, has served continuously for two years, meets minimum activity requirements (or 200 hours annually if unspecified), and holds state or tribal certification as a firefighter or first responder.
- Under the USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, eligible individuals may deduct $18,000 from annual income when calculating eligibility.
- Under HUD single-family property disposition programs (such as the Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program), eligible individuals qualify for discounted home purchases previously limited to paid firefighters or emergency medical technicians.
- Requires submission of a verification letter from the volunteer's employer, including service dates, attestations of activity levels, certification copies, and (for HUD programs) a statement of intent to continue volunteering for at least one year after purchase.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends application of 7 C.F.R. § 3555.152(c) to include a specific $18,000 income deduction for this new category of applicants.
- Extends eligibility under section 204(g) of the National Housing Act to volunteer first responders who meet the defined criteria, broadening the scope of existing discount programs beyond paid personnel.
Potential Impacts
- May increase homeownership opportunities for volunteer first responders in rural and tribal areas through USDA and HUD programs.
- Requires government agencies (USDA and HUD) to process additional verification documentation and update eligibility determinations.
- Could affect program costs and availability of discounted properties or loan guarantees for other applicants.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Volunteer first responders and their employing organizations (such as fire departments or emergency services).
- Federal agencies including the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Indian Tribes and state or local jurisdictions where volunteers serve.
- Homebuyers and sellers participating in affected housing programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill operates through existing regulatory frameworks without altering underlying statutory authorities, presenting no apparent constitutional conflicts.
- Implementation relies on employer verification processes, which may introduce administrative requirements for volunteer organizations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-05-13: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Volunteer First Responder Housing Act — issued 2026-05-13 — PDF (5 pages)