If you’re unfamiliar, the HELPER Act (Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder) proposes a straightforward idea: allow qualifying teachers, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs to purchase homes using 100% FHA financing, with no monthly mortgage insurance.
Simple in structure.
Transformational in impact.
Yet five years into this legislative journey, with 19 U.S. Senators and 72 Congressional cosponsors signed on, the bill is still fighting for attention in a housing industry that claims to care deeply about affordability and accessibility.
So here’s my question to the mortgage industry:
Why aren’t more of us talking about the HELPER Act?
The Reality We’re Facing
Let’s start with the obvious.
Affordability is the defining challenge of today’s market. Home prices have far outpaced wages, especially for the very professionals we rely on to educate, protect, and serve our communities. According to Redfin and the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home now costs 5–6x the median household income in many markets, up from 3.3x in 2020.
In this environment, saving 3.5% for a down payment, or carrying monthly mortgage insurance, can be the difference between qualifying and walking away.
And while there are programs in place for veterans (thankfully), there’s a massive gap in support for the very people who run into burning buildings, teach our kids, and patrol our neighborhoods.
The HELPER Act aims to close that gap.
What the HELPER Act Actually Proposes
Let’s get clear about the mechanics.
The HELPER Act is not a radical departure from existing structures. It’s not even a brand-new loan type.
It’s simply an amendment to the National Housing Act, an enhancement to the FHA loan program, that:
Offers 100% financing to qualifying public servants
Eliminates monthly mortgage insurance (the upfront MIP remains but can be covered via seller concessions)
Preserves traditional underwriting standards and credit risk protections
It’s modeled after the VA loan program but without affecting veterans.
And here’s the kicker: it doesn’t require new infrastructure or create any new agencies. The system already exists. It just needs political will and industry backing.
The Problem Isn’t the Bill—It’s the Politics
I recently sat down with Sam Royer , the Marine veteran and loan officer who’s championed this bill from day one. Five years ago, he started knocking on congressional doors, no big lobbying firm behind him, no political machine, just a gut-level belief that those who serve our communities should be able to live in them.
What I learned from our conversation was sobering.
He was told the bill would pass if he dropped teachers from the eligibility list.
Let that sink in.
The people shaping our children’s minds, and shaping the next generation of homebuyers, are being cut out of a bill that’s meant to recognize public service.
You know what Sam said?
“I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing this for the people who get up every day and show up for us.”
Why This Should Matter to Every Loan Officer
This isn’t just about politics.
It’s about opportunity. It’s about impact. And yes, it’s about business.
Because when you empower teachers, police officers, EMTs, and firefighters to afford a home, especially in the communities they serve, you:
Build trust and goodwill that flows back into your brand
Create long-term clients with financial stability
Strengthen local economies and school systems
Support sustainable pipelines in underserved zip codes
In a market where rates are volatile and lead sources are drying up, this is how you future-proof.
More importantly, it’s how you serve.
What Can You Actually Do?
You don’t have to be a lobbyist to move the needle.
Here’s what showing up looks like:
→ Visit passthehelperact.org→ Look up your elected officials and ask if they’ve signed on→ If not, write, call, tag them on LinkedIn→ Talk to your real estate partners about this bill→ Educate the first responder, teacher, and EMT families you serve→ Share this story with your team and your community
The HELPER Act isn’t about handouts.
It’s about hand-ups, for people who’ve been holding the line for the rest of us.
My Challenge to Loan Officers
You don’t need permission from Washington or your compliance team to lead in your community.
You just need to show up.
Because in this business, and in life, relationships aren’t owned, they’re earned.
So let’s earn the trust of those who’ve been showing up for us all along.