Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), alongside Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), introduced the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act, legislation to expand eligibility for qualified volunteer emergency responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs.

Original cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Frank Lucas (R-OK), and Derek Kilmer (D-WA).

Specifically, this bill would expand eligibility for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Division and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program assists approved lenders in providing loans to low and middle-income households to help build, rehabilitate, and improve homes in eligible rural areas.

“Rural communities across New York’s 24th District and the country rely on volunteer first responders to keep our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act will expand federal housing assistance to these dedicated individuals in the communities they serve. Providing housing assistance to volunteer firefighters will help to reduce response times by enabling volunteer firefighters and EMTs to live closer to their stations. This bill provides much-needed and well-deserved housing incentives and benefits to our next generation of volunteer firefighters and EMTs so they can continue their brave work serving our communities.”

“Long Island relies almost entirely on volunteer firefighters to prevent, combat, and extinguish fires while also providing other emergency services and, according to the National Fire Protection Association’s 2017 U.S. Fire Department Profile, 65 percent of firefighters nationwide are volunteers,” said Congressman Garbarino. “Recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters is critical for thousands of communities, yet local volunteer fire departments continue to find it difficult to meet staffing needs. With a high cost of living making it more difficult than ever to buy a home, the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act would provide a helping hand to those who give their time, at great personal risk, to safeguarding our communities.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

Submitted photo, press release and video:

In support of National EMS Week, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined Assembly Minority colleagues at a press conference held by Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I,Ref-Schoharie) today in Albany to unveil legislation that would exempt volunteer firefighters and EMS workers from state income taxes (A.7655).

Hawley, a veteran and longtime member of the Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has introduced similar legislation to provide tax relief for active duty service members (A.1956).

“The upcoming Memorial Day weekend is just one example where volunteer firefighters and EMS will be working around the clock, spending precious time away from their families, to protect our community in the face of dangerous situations,” Hawley said.

“Sadly, more and more volunteer fire companies are being forced to close their doors, leaving their neighbors without the precious services they provide and we need to do something about it. These dedicated and brave individuals deserve our help and I implore Assembly leadership and our colleagues in the Majority to join us in getting this passed before session adjourns next month."

To be eligible for the state income tax exemption, a volunteer must:

• Be in good standing;
• Have a minimum year of service with the fire department;
• Be certified by the Chief Emergency Service Coordinator of their county;
• Attend at least 55 percent of department activities.