City Hall ● 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente CA 92673 ● (949) 361-8200 ● www.san-clemente.org
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
Chris Duncan
Mayor
Steve Knoblock
Mayor Pro Tem
Victor Cabral
Mark Enmeier
Rick Loeffler
CITY MANAGER
Andy Hall
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
Phone: (949) 361-8200
“The Spanish Village
by the Sea”
June 20, 2023
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy The Honorable Chuck Schumer Speaker of the House Majority Leader
United States House of Representatives United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries The Honorable Mitch McConnell Democratic Leader Republican Leader
United States House of Representatives United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Speaker McCarthy, Majority Leader Schumer, Leader Jeffries, and Leader McConnell:
On behalf of the City of San Clemente, I am honored to write in strong support of S.1514 and H.R.3170, the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Ossoff (D-GA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (DNJ).
The HELPER Act would create a home loan program within the Federal Housing Administration to help our law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and preK-12 teachers (“first responders”) by making homeownership more affordable. Too often, our civil servants struggle to afford their first home. Because of his, we are writing in support of the HELPER Act, which would help our civil servants access the housing they need to serve their communities.
First responders dedicate their lives to protecting and serving their fellow Americans. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made clearer the ongoing challenges that these brave first responders face. It is time we honor them for their service. To that end, the HELPER Act program will function similarly to the home loan program managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Managed by the Federal Housing Administration, it will allow law enforcement officers, fire fighters, EMTs, paramedics, and preK-12 teachers to obtain a low-interest, fully insured home loan with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance costs for a first-time home purchase.
Our nation’s first responders have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to their communities. Even amidst a deadly pandemic, these heroes have served without hesitation. We believe they have earned access to affordable housing so that they can provide for their families and continue to serve their communities. We hope you will join the City of San Clemente in support of the HELPER Act, and we CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF INCORPORATION
Attachment 1
_______________________________
Kathleen Ward
Mayor, City of San Clemente
look forward to working with you on this important matter.
Sincerely,
_______________________
Chris Duncan
Mayor
City of San Clemente