Volunteer First Responder Housing Act
Sponsored By: Senator Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced
Summary
Expands housing access for volunteer first responders. This bill would let qualified volunteer first responders use a new $18,000 annual income deduction for USDA single-family housing eligibility and qualify as firefighters or EMTs for HUD discounted home-buying programs.
Show full summary
- Volunteers would get direct housing benefits. Qualified volunteers who submit a verification letter could reduce their counted annual income by $18,000 for USDA single-family housing eligibility and gain access to HUD programs that offer discounted home prices.
- Eligibility rules set a clear service bar. To qualify an individual must have two years of continuous volunteer service, meet an employer’s minimum active membership or volunteer at least 200 hours each year if no minimum exists, and hold state or tribal certification as a firefighter or other first responder.
- Employers and tribes must verify service. The volunteer’s eligible employer or tribal authority must provide a verification letter that states the join date, confirms the service and hours requirements, and includes the responder’s certification and a one-year good-faith commitment to continue serving for HUD closings.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Up to $18,000 deduction for volunteer responders
If enacted, you would be able to reduce your countable annual income by $18,000 when applying for a USDA Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan. You must submit a verification letter from the head of your eligible employer. The letter must show your join date, two continuous years of service, that you met per-year active-membership rules or volunteered at least 200 hours each year, and include your firefighter or first responder certification.
Discounted HUD home eligibility for volunteers
If enacted, you would be treated like a firefighter or EMT for HUD single-family property disposition programs that offer discounted prices. You must submit a verification letter from the head of your eligible employer. The letter must include your join date, two continuous years of service, per-year active-membership or at least 200 volunteer hours if no employer minimums, your certification, and your statement that you plan to keep volunteering for at least one year after closing.
Who counts as a volunteer first responder
If enacted, the bill would define who qualifies for the volunteer responder housing benefits. It uses the meanings of "bona fide volunteer," "eligible employer," and "qualified services" from the Internal Revenue Code. A "qualified volunteer first responder" must have two continuous years of service with the employer, meet per-year active-membership rules or volunteer at least 200 hours each year if no employer minimums exist, and be certified as a firefighter or first responder in the place they serve.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
ND • R
Sponsored 6/10/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov