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Senate Panel Approves Wonderling's Firefighter Mortgage
Assistance Bill
HARRISBURG -- The
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee has approved legislation that would
make it easier for volunteer firefighters and emergency responders to buy a home
in their communities, according to Sen. Rob Wonderling (R-24), the bill’s
sponsor.
“Recruiting and training
volunteer firefighters and emergency responders is a challenge for many
communities,” Wonderling said. “My bill well help communities attract and
retain these emergency responders so they can continue to protect our lives and
property.”
Senate Bill 523 would create
the Firefighter Mortgage Assistance Program. This program would provide
low-interest loans to volunteer firefighters, fire police, rescue squad, or
emergency medical technicians to purchase a residence within the municipality
where the applicant volunteers. The program would also provide a $1,000 grant
each year following the purchase of the home for up to five years, as long as
the volunteer continues to reside at the home.
Wonderling also pointed out
that Senate Bill 523 would also ensure that our Commonwealth’s 70,000 volunteer
firefighters and emergency responders would be living in close proximity to
their stations, an important factor in responding to emergencies quickly.
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