Contact Congress about H.R. 8789: Volunteer First Responder Housing Act
Some volunteer first responders could qualify more easily for federal home loans or discounted homes. The bill gives eligible volunteers a USDA income deduction and access to certain HUD home sale programs.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Volunteer First Responder Housing Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Latest action on H.R. 8789: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects volunteer firefighters and other volunteer first responders who want to buy a home. It could matter most for volunteers in rural areas or lower-income communities where USDA and HUD housing programs are used. Local volunteer agencies would also be affected because they would need to confirm service history and certification.
Why this matters: Housing costs can make it harder for volunteer first responders to live in the places they serve. This bill could help some trained, active volunteers buy homes by changing how federal housing programs treat them. Communities that rely on volunteers could benefit if housing help makes it easier to recruit or keep responders. The bill's real impact would depend on how many volunteers meet the rules and apply.
Key provisions in H.R. 8789
- A qualified volunteer first responder must be a real unpaid volunteer. They must provide eligible emergency services for an eligible employer and have served for the past two straight years.
- Volunteers must meet their agency's active membership rules for each of the past two years. If the agency has no rules, they must have volunteered at least 200 hours each year.
- Volunteers must have official certification as a firefighter or other first responder. The certification can come from a state, local, or tribal government where they serve.
- USDA would count $18,000 less of an eligible volunteer's yearly income. This applies when USDA checks eligibility for its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program.
- USDA would make the $18,000 income deduction through its existing loan rule. The bill names section 3555.152(c) of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any later rule that replaces it.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 8789
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 8789
- What is H.R. 8789?
- Some volunteer first responders could qualify more easily for federal home loans or discounted homes. The bill gives eligible volunteers a USDA income deduction and access to certain HUD home sale programs.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 8789?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 8789?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 8789 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
