The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act expands federal housing assistance programs to include qualified volunteer firefighters and emergency responders. The bill makes volunteer first responders eligible for two existing housing programs: a $18,000 annual income deduction when applying for USDA home loans, and eligibility for discounted home prices through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. To qualify, volunteers must have served continuously for at least two years with their organization, met minimum activity requirements or volunteered at least 200 hours per year, and be certified as a first responder in their state or jurisdiction. The bill requires volunteers to submit verification letters from their employer confirming their service history and certification status, with HUD program participants also agreeing to continue volunteering for at least one year after purchasing a home. No new funding is authorized in the legislation; it operates through existing federal housing programs.
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