The Helper Act is a very important bi-partisan bill that would create an FHA-backed home loan program for first responders and educators in today’s housing crisis to allow our police, fire, EMTs and teachers to purchase a first-time home with no money down.

The first-time homebuyer home loan program under the FHA eliminates a down payment requirement and eliminates the monthly mortgage insurance premium requirement.

This would be a huge win for our most critical service-oriented members of our community.

Mayor Richard Bissen has endorsed this bill and as has U.S. House Rep. Jill Tokuda. We are awaiting responses from Rep. Ed Case, and Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz.

The only time this will cost money is if a foreclosure happens, which is rare for these essential workers. The fund that would have to pay for a foreclosure is 500 percent over-funded currently, with a balance of over $188 billion.

Affordable home ownership will aid greatly in incentivizing new recruits and help with retention across the departments. Police Officers, firefighters, EMTs and teachers deserve to step out of financial survival mode and settle into the communities for which they sacrifice so much so that they may serve.

The Maui News has published other articles on me from my work feeding the homeless (previous name Kim Licata) and also to promote the American Dream TV Show.

I’ve done extensive work supporting our Kahului Fire Department with my previous company, Boots On The Ground Maui.

Kim Yoon McLaughin
Kahului