Turner voices support for bipartisan HELPER Act

U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) on Aug. 9 advocated for a bipartisan bill that would establish a program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, and other first responders.

Under the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act of 2021, H.R. 3172, these eligible individuals may be eligible for a one-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance premium, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Rep. Turner in June signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 3172, which was introduced in May 2021 by U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (R-FL) and Al Lawson, Jr. (D-FL) to make it easier for such Americans to afford their first homes in the communities where they work. H.R. 3172 currently has 75 other cosponsors and is under consideration in the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.

In Rep. Turner’s home state, the bill is supported by the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Firefighters; the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police; the Ohio Sheriffs Association; Trotwood, Ohio Mayor Mary McDonald; Dayton, Ohio Mayor Jeffrey Mims, Jr.; and Mayor Sharretta Smith of Lima, Ohio.

“Providing Dayton residents with access to safe and affordable housing continues to be a top priority for me,” Rep. Turner said on Monday. “With the HELPER Act, educators and first responders will be able to establish long-term roots in the region and will be more closely connected to the communities they serve. 

“Making Dayton more affordable for our educators and first responders benefits not only those families, but the entire community,” added the congressman.

Under the bill, the new HUD program specifically would be available to federal, state and local law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and teachers employed by public and private, state-accredited K-12 schools, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Turner’s staff. 

To qualify, a person must be employed full time; have been employed for four or more consecutive years; certify a good faith intent to continue such employment for at least one year following the closing date on the mortgage; and be in good standing with their employer, among other requirements, the summary says.