Volunteer First Responder Housing Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4737
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T21:41:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Volunteer First Responder Housing Act (S. 4737)
Purpose
This legislation expands access to specific federal housing assistance programs for individuals serving as volunteer first responders, enabling them to qualify for income deductions and discounted home purchases under existing USDA and HUD programs.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Establishes criteria for a "qualified volunteer first responder," requiring continuous volunteer service for two years, meeting minimum activity thresholds (either employer-set or 200 hours annually), and state or tribal certification as a firefighter or first responder. It references IRS definitions for "bona fide volunteer," "eligible employer," and "qualified services."
- USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program: Allows eligible volunteers to claim an $18,000 annual income deduction when applying for guaranteed loans, supported by a verification letter from their employer.
- HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program and Similar Programs: Permits qualified volunteers to access discounted single-family property sales previously limited to paid firefighters or emergency medical technicians, requiring an employer verification letter plus a personal certification of intent to continue volunteering for at least one year after purchase.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Modifies eligibility rules under section 3555.152(c) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, for USDA loans by introducing the $18,000 deduction for this new category of applicants.
- Extends access under section 204(g) of the National Housing Act to volunteer first responders for HUD property disposition programs, broadening the definition beyond paid personnel.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires USDA and HUD to process new verification letters and update eligibility determinations, potentially increasing administrative workload for loan and property programs.
- Citizens: Provides housing cost relief to volunteer first responders in rural and other areas, supporting retention of community volunteers.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Qualified volunteer first responders and their employing organizations (such as fire departments or emergency services).
- The Departments of Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development.
- Indian Tribes, states, and local jurisdictions involved in certification and service delivery.
- Homebuyers and applicants in affected housing programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Operates within existing statutory frameworks for housing assistance without altering core constitutional authorities.
- Introduces new documentation requirements that could raise administrative or verification challenges in implementation.
- Sponsored on a bipartisan basis, focusing on support for volunteer emergency services.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 2026-06-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Volunteer First Responder Housing Act — issued 2026-06-10 — PDF (5 pages)