U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff introduced Tuesday a bipartisan bill designed to make homeownership affordable for first responders and teachers nationwide.
Alongside Republican Florida Sen. Ashley Moody, Ossoff brought the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act of 2025 to the Senate floor earlier this week. U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana are co-sponsors of the bill.
According to the office of the Georgia senator, the act would “eliminate the upfront home purchase costs and the monthly mortgage insurance premium for those who serve our communities.”
“I’m working across the aisle to support Georgia’s teachers, first responders and law enforcement officers by making homeownership more affordable for public servants who teach our kids and protect our families,” said Ossoff in a recent press release.
The act would also create a new home loan program under the Federal Housing Administration for those it is meant to serve.
HELPER has found support in several workforce organizations across the Peach State, including the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police, the Georgia Federation of Teachers and The Georgia Sheriffs’ Association.
“This legislation will aid law enforcement officers who struggle to acquire resources to obtain affordable housing. The cost of housing inhibits law enforcement agencies when recruiting in many areas… ensuring first responders can reside in their area of responsibility is the cornerstone of community policing,” said Michael Callahan, president of the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police, in the release.
“This is timely and overdue and we commend Sen. Ossoff and ask others to join with him in supporting this noble act,” added Georgia Federation of Teachers President Verdaillia Turner. “The HELPER Act is a tangible means of taking care of the men and women who take care of America.”
In addition, local Georgia leaders and politicians have also voiced their hopes for HELPER’s impact on their communities.
“These individuals dedicate their lives to serving and protecting us, and it is our duty to ensure they can live in the neighborhoods they serve,” said Henry County Chair Carlotta Harrell. “I urge my fellow leaders and citizens to join me in advocating for this critical piece of legislation.
“[Ossoff’s] commitment to addressing critical challenges—such as the housing affordability crisis—demonstrates his deep understanding of the barriers our firefighters, paramedics, and emergency personnel face daily,” said Columbus Fire-EMS Chief Salvatore J. Scarpa. “The Columbus Fire & EMS Department stands in strong support of the HELPER Act and looks forward to seeing its positive impact on those who serve.”
Reps. John Rutherford (R-FL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) plan to introduce a companion bill in the House.
The HELPER Act comes one week after Sen. Ossoff introduced the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act. The bipartisan legislation was developed to assist first responders who suffer from long-term mental health issues.
