Florida’s newest U.S. Senator, Ashley Moody, kicked off her tenure with a bold move to support the state’s first responders, filing the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act as her inaugural bill.
Unveiled today, the legislation aims to make homeownership more affordable for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and teachers by creating a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage assistance program—a cause Moody, a longtime law enforcement advocate and wife of an officer, calls deeply personal.
READ: Wrong Car, Deadly Consequences: St. Petersburg Driver Now Charged With Murder
“Florida’s the most pro-law enforcement state in the nation,” Moody declared, touting the HELPER Act as a lifeline for heroes priced out of the communities they serve. “While other states cut funding and disparaged officers, I fought for raises, bonuses, and relocation help. This bill is the next step—helping them buy homes where they work.” The program extends to primary and secondary educators alongside first responders, offering a no-down-payment loan option to ease the financial strain of soaring housing costs.
Moody’s track record as Florida’s Attorney General bolsters her pitch. From launching the 2019 Back the Blue campaign to spearheading 2021’s Be a Florida Hero recruitment drive—complete with $5,000 sign-on bonuses and out-of-state relocation perks—she’s been a relentless booster of law enforcement.
Her 2020 role on Trump’s Commission on Law Enforcement and initiatives like the **TIPS crime-reporting line (now nationwide via Crime Stoppers USA) underscore her bona fides. In 2024, Police1 crowned her a “Got Your Six” National Champion for her efforts.
READ: MSNBC Host Pushed Pennsylvania Sen. Fetterman To Condemn ‘Oligarchs’ Under Trump — He Doesn’t Bite
The HELPER Act dovetails with her past wins, like securing mental health support for first responders and pushing bail reform with Gov. Ron DeSantis. Critics, though, question the bill’s scope—some Democrats argue it should include broader worker categories amid Florida’s housing crunch.
Still, Moody frames it as a targeted thank-you to those who “sacrifice daily.” “As an officer’s wife, I’ve lived their challenges,” she said. “This is about making their American Dream real.”
With bipartisan appeal for supporting frontline workers, the HELPER Act could gain traction in a divided Congress. For Moody, it’s a high-stakes debut—blending her law-and-order roots with a practical fix for Florida’s heroes.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
