A group of U.S. Senators, including Pat Roberts, are supporting a bill aimed at boosting the number of volunteer first responders across the country.
This proposal would expand eligibility for qualified volunteer first responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs and provide a greater incentive for more volunteers to stay and continue to serve their communities.
“The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act will help incentivize people in rural areas to volunteer for this critical service,” Senator Roberts said. “Many communities in Kansas are exclusively protected by volunteer first responders and it’s critical we provide incentives like this to help recruit and retain these volunteers.”
This legislation would make it possible for more volunteers to participate in the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. This program assists approved lenders in providing loans to low- and moderate- income households to build, rehabilitate or improve a home in eligible rural areas. The bill will allow volunteers to participate in the loan program even if their income exceeds the maximum allowable income level by up to $18,000.
