Atlanta, Georgia – The City of Atlanta has started a grant program to help firefighters and EMTs reach their goal of becoming first-time homeowners. The initiative is a great way to show support for the city’s first responders. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) is now giving a one-time grant of up to $30,000 to help with closing costs or down payments. This is a big step towards fostering community and stability for those who serve the city.
Housing for Heroes program
The program, called Housing for Heroes, demonstrates the city of Atlanta commitment to its firefighters and EMTs and how important they are to the safety and well-being of the city. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation (AFRF) website is now open for applications for 2024 assistance. Eligible personnel are invited to apply online. This opportunity is open until December 13, 2024, and the application time will open again on January 6, 2025. This will ensure ongoing support for these community heroes.
The AFRF and the Atlanta Housing Authority started Housing for Heroes in 2022 as a way to help AFRD employees with their down payments and get the money they need to buy a home. This project comes from a strong belief in helping Atlanta’s first responders with their personal and work lives, especially now that housing costs have risen.
President and CEO of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation, Taos Wynn, thanked Atlanta Housing for working with them and emphasized how important it is to help build the capacity needed for this one-of-a-kind homebuying program.
“We are invested in the well-being and quality of life experienced by our city’s first responders. Supporting the professional and personal lives of the more than 1200 men and women of Atlanta Fire Rescue – and programs like Housing for Heroes allows us to be there for our city’s Bravest – especially at a time in which housing costs have steadily risen,” Taos Wynn, President & CEO of Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation, said in a press release.
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“We are thankful to the leadership of Atlanta Housing and for their trust and their partnership which affords us the needed capacity building for this unique homebuying program.”
Mayor Andre Dickens also lauded the effort, noting the dual benefits of having firefighters and EMTs reside within the communities they serve.
“Having our firefighters and EMTs live in the communities they serve is beneficial to both AFRD personnel and our residents. Thank you to Atlanta Housing and Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation for contributing to our affordability goals by seeing the value in helping our Fire and EMT professionals buy their first home,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in the release.
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Housing for Heroes is a big step toward making the lives of Atlanta’s first responders better, and it additionally strengthens the connection between them and the communities they serve. Through these kinds of programs, Atlanta shows its appreciation for the people who risk their lives to keep the city safe by giving them the chance to build their own homes in the neighborhoods they proudly serve.