HELPER Act of 2025

Home loans for first responders

If enacted, this would create an FHA-insured mortgage program just for eligible first responders. You could get a loan up to 100% of the home's appraised value, so no cash down payment would be required. Loans under this program would not have any monthly mortgage insurance fee. Instead, HUD would collect one up-front insurance premium, which could be above 3% and may be financed into the loan. To qualify you would need to be a first-time homebuyer, complete HUD-approved housing counseling, and meet service and standing tests (generally 4 of the last 5 years employed as a first responder, or occupational disability, plus intent to continue one year). HUD would set underwriting rules to protect the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund. The authority to make new insurance commitments would end five years after HUD first makes the program available. The bill authorizes $660,000 for FY2026 and $160,000 each year from FY2027 through FY2032 for implementation.