The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Teachers can only afford 54% of homes in Atlanta; firefighters only 36%
Washington, D.C. –– U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced the bipartisan Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act of 2021 to make homeownership more accessible and affordable for teachers and first responders.
The bipartisan bill would establish a new, one-time use home loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for police officers, fire fighters, medical first responders, and teachers.
The HELPER Act would address the housing affordability crisis for Americans by eliminating the upfront home purchase costs and the monthly mortgage insurance premium for those who serve our communities.
“With this bipartisan bill, I’m working across the aisle to support Georgia’s teachers, first responders, and police officers by making home ownership more affordable for public servants who teach our kids and protect our families,” said Sen. Ossoff.
“First responders and teachers work tirelessly to serve our communities, and they have faced incredibly difficult circumstances over the past two years,” Sen. Rubio said. “As housing prices continue to skyrocket, our bill would help ensure that teachers and first responders can own a home in the communities they dutifully serve.”
Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL), Al Lawson (D-FL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and John Katko (R-NY) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Sen. Ossoff continues to work to address Georgia’s housing affordability crisis in the U.S. Senate.
Earlier this month in a Banking Committee hearing, Sen. Ossoff secured commitments from top Biden Administration nominees for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to visit cities across Georgia and work with him to increase the available supply of housing for homebuyers and renters.
Click here to read the HELPER Act.
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