Firefighters and EMTs often aspire to live closer to their assigned fire rescue station where they fulfill their 24-hour shifts and protect the public safety of citizens, visitors, and infrastructure. While their “fire family” is an integral part of their professional fire services career, a firefighter’s time spent at their own home with their immediate family is also paramount to their wellbeing and the wellbeing of their family members. Now for the first time, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) firefighters and EMTs can apply for a one-time grant of up to $30K for down payment or closing cost assistance to help achieve the dream of first-time homeownership. The Housing for Heroes application is open for 2024 assistance and funding requests can be accessed via the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation (AFRF) web site at https://www.atlfrf.org/housingforheroes. Applications are being considered for the current year through December 13, 2024, and will reopen on Monday January 6, 2025. For more information, to apply, or to request a consultation visit https://www.atlfrf.org/housingforheroes.

Launched in 2022, Housing for Heroes was developed and funded by AFRF as a down payment assistance and funding platform to support the housing and homeownership needs of AFRD. Since its start, the program continues to expand with more and more families having become first-time homeowners. The expanded program announced today hopes to more than double the number of families of firefighters and EMTs who will become homeowners in 2024.

“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,” said Taos Wynn, President & CEO, Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation. “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.”

“Supporting the selfless men and women of Atlanta Fire Rescue extends far beyond our fire stations. The continued investment to enhance the City of Atlanta by supporting AFRD will have profound significance by affording the brave men and women the opportunity to live within the communities they so selflessly serve," said Roderick M. Smith, Fire Chief, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. “The momentous Housing for Heroes initiative lays the foundation to transform the lives of our firefighters for generations. I am grateful for the life-changing partnership of Atlanta Housing and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation to enact the Housing for Heroes program." 

“Atlanta Housing is resolute in our commitment to ensure Atlanta families have a pathway to homeownership and economic freedom.  Being able to uplift the families of those who put their lives on the frontlines of keeping our city safe is a privilege," said Terri M. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta Housing. " The Housing for Heroes initiative is exactly the type of homeownership opportunity we want to enable as we work to fulfill our commitment of availing 10,000 units of affordable housing over the next five years. We are proud to partner with the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation to help make homeownership a reality for our city's bravest, who can now live affordably in the communities where they serve."