Written by Samuel Royer, who is Chief Production Officer at Salute Home Loans and a United States Marine Corps veteran.
Every day across this country, first responders and educators answer the call to serve—not for recognition or riches, but because they believe in something bigger than themselves. They run toward danger. They guide our children. They comfort the injured. They save lives and shape communities. But when it comes to one of the most basic pillars of the American Dream—homeownership—too many are being left behind.
The HELPER Act (Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act) aims to change that.
This bipartisan bill would establish a new first-time homebuyer program under the Federal Housing Administration, providing zero-down payment mortgages and waiving monthly mortgage insurance premiums for our nation’s police officers, firefighters, teachers, EMTs, and paramedics. Inspired by the same proven approach long used for veterans, the HELPER Act would finally give our community heroes a chance to own homes in the neighborhoods they serve.
Right now, housing affordability is at its worst in a generation. Police officers are priced out of the cities they serve. Teachers can’t afford to live in the neighborhoods where they teach. Firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics often work second jobs just to make ends meet. These public servants are essential, but our housing system treats them as disposable.
That’s not just unfair, it’s dangerous. Making it harder for public servants to live close to their workplaces damages trust, slows response times, and pushes away experienced professionals. Communities depend on these men and women nearby. We count on them every day.
In late July, the Senate Banking Committee advanced the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025. With commendable goals, the ROAD to Housing Act nonetheless missed an opportunity to make homeownership attainable for our community servants. I’ve met with Chairman Tim Scott and members of his committee to raise awareness about the HELPER Act, and I’m disappointed they passed on this chance to help those they often praise. If the ROAD to Housing Act reaches the Senate floor, I hope Chairman Scott and his colleagues will offer an amendment to make homeownership a reality for our nation’s police officers, firefighters, teachers, EMTs, and paramedics.
The HELPER Act is not a handout. It’s a modest, targeted investment in the people who keep America running. It recognizes the real sacrifices of those who prioritize service above self and sends a clear message: We appreciate your dedication—not just in words, but in policy.
This bill has growing support, with endorsements from hundreds of organizations across the country, including major unions and local mayors. However, to become law, it needs action from key leaders in Congress, especially House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott. Both have spoken passionately about the importance of service, opportunity, and homeownership. The HELPER Act embodies all three. I urge them to move this bill forward and work with colleagues across party lines to pass it quickly.
I’ve witnessed how transformative homeownership can be firsthand. As a Marine Corps veteran and president of Salute Home Loans, I’ve helped many veterans achieve that dream. Now, as the advocate for the HELPER Act, I am dedicated to ensuring our nation’s public servants—police officers, firefighters, teachers, EMTs, and paramedics—have the same opportunity. A stable home isn’t just about shelter; it provides security, dignity, and a strong bond with the community.
Our police officers, firefighters, teachers, EMTs, and paramedics have earned the chance to share in the American Dream of homeownership. Let’s give it to them.
Let’s pass the HELPER Act.
Every day across this country, first responders and educators answer the call to serve—not for recognition or riches, but because they believe in something bigger than themselves. They run toward danger. They guide our children. They comfort the injured. They save lives and shape communities. But when it comes to one of the most basic pillars of the American Dream—homeownership—too many are being left behind.
The HELPER Act (Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act) aims to change that.
This bipartisan bill would establish a new first-time homebuyer program under the Federal Housing Administration, providing zero-down payment mortgages and waiving monthly mortgage insurance premiums for our nation’s police officers, firefighters, teachers, EMTs, and paramedics. Inspired by the same proven approach long used for veterans, the HELPER Act would finally give our community heroes a chance to own homes in the neighborhoods they serve.
Right now, housing affordability is at its worst in a generation. Police officers are priced out of the cities they serve. Teachers can’t afford to live in the neighborhoods where they teach. Firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics often work second jobs just to make ends meet. These public servants are essential, but our housing system treats them as disposable.
That’s not just unfair, it’s dangerous. Making it harder for public servants to live close to their workplaces damages trust, slows response times, and pushes away experienced professionals. Communities depend on these men and women nearby. We count on them every day.
In late July, the Senate Banking Committee advanced the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025. With commendable goals, the ROAD to Housing Act nonetheless missed an opportunity to make homeownership attainable for our community servants. I’ve met with Chairman Tim Scott and members of his committee to raise awareness about the HELPER Act, and I’m disappointed they passed on this chance to help those they often praise. If the ROAD to Housing Act reaches the Senate floor, I hope Chairman Scott and his colleagues will offer an amendment to make homeownership a reality for our nation’s police officers, firefighters, teachers, EMTs, and paramedics.
The HELPER Act is not a handout. It’s a modest, targeted investment in the people who keep America running. It recognizes the real sacrifices of those who prioritize service above self and sends a clear message: We appreciate your dedication—not just in words, but in policy.
This bill has growing support, with endorsements from hundreds of organizations across the country, including major unions and local mayors. However, to become law, it needs action from key leaders in Congress, especially House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott. Both have spoken passionately about the importance of service, opportunity, and homeownership. The HELPER Act embodies all three. I urge them to move this bill forward and work with colleagues across party lines to pass it quickly.
I’ve witnessed how transformative homeownership can be firsthand. As a Marine Corps veteran and president of Salute Home Loans, I’ve helped many veterans achieve that dream. Now, as the advocate for the HELPER Act, I am dedicated to ensuring our nation’s public servants—police officers, firefighters, teachers, EMTs, and paramedics—have the same opportunity. A stable home isn’t just about shelter; it provides security, dignity, and a strong bond with the community.
Our police officers, firefighters, teachers, EMTs, and paramedics have earned the chance to share in the American Dream of homeownership. Let’s give it to them.
Let’s pass the HELPER Act.
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2025-11-05T16:40-0500 | Comment by: Laurence
Better to help the noble people in the armed forces and law enforcement than to waste billions on criminal illegals.