Conn. Expands Homebuyer Program to Help Police and First Responders

Connecticut is offering police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel up to $25,000 in forgivable homebuyer assistance in an effort to address public safety staffing shortages.

By Ken Dixon

Source Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.

Nov. 11, 2026

5 min read

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What to Know

Connecticut is expanding its "Time to Own" homeownership program to help police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel buy homes with up to $25,000 in forgivable assistance and reduced mortgage rates.
Eligible first responders who have served at least two years can apply beginning Nov. 16, with the program also open to current homeowners relocating into the communities they serve.
State officials say the initiative is aimed at improving recruitment and retention as and local fire and police agencies face significant staffing shortages.

A Lego police car and ambulance sit outside wooden block toy homes — Connecticut leaders say helping first responders purchase homes where they work is part of a broader effort to strengthen police, fire and EMS staffing statewide.

NORTH HAVEN, CT—Top state officials joined Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday to announce that first responders can soon purchase homes through the state's four-year-old "Time to Own" program, with up to $25,000 in forgivable loans for individual applicants.

Unlike the previous version that helped 10,000 people buy their first home, this version of "Time to Own" is especially targeting police, firefighters and emergency services personnel with lower rates. First responders who already own homes can apply if they would be using it to buy a home and move into the community they serve.

It's part of an effort to attract and retain first responders to Connecticut at a time when local and state police are well below their usual staffing levels and the number of volunteer firefighters has fallen drastically in recent years, officials said during a late-morning news conference in North Haven's fire headquarters.

When will the program start?

The new program had been scheduled for Jan. 1, but housing officials said they're ready for applicants starting Nov. 16, about 45 days early.

"A major barrier facing prospective home buyers is achieving the savings necessary to cover down payment and closing costs," said Nandini Natarajan, president and CEO of Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, which runs the program. "Increasing home prices have made this challenge even more pronounced."

Who is eligible and how much money is available?

She said certified and licensed personnel have to have served two years to be eligible. The first responders who participate will also experience a 1.125% reduction in first mortgages. Natarajan said the first responders will also have more flexible income requirements.

Certified police, professional and volunteer firefighters, as well as licensed emergency medical staff are all eligible.

Their mortgage applications must be for their primary residences in the communities they serve. Under the law, mortgage assistance must be given under CHFA's guidelines.

"Time to Own" features forgivable down payment and closing-cost assistance of up to $25,000 per applicant.

"This program represents, to me, a symbolic representation of what we can do to enhance recruitment, to help firefighters, to help police officers, because I'm sure you'll agree, public safety is of critical importance," said North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda.

First responders are also eligible for other benefits.

Starting July 1, first responders enrolled in Connecticut State Community Colleges, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities can obtain tuition waivers. The waivers are limited to 200 per school. The legislation also includes so-called portal-to-portal workers' compensation benefits for public works employees that took effect Oct. 1.

Why is this happening?

While the State Police is down 250 troopers, 60 are training right now, said Ronnell Higgins, commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

"It's obvious that recruitment and retention for first responders is a matter of urgency in Connecticut," Higgins said. "When it comes to public safety, we are short hundreds of police officers and troopers across the state of Connecticut."

He said the number of volunteer firefighters has decreased 50% in the past decade.

"That is staggering," Higgins said. "We want firefighters and we want police officers in our communities."

North Haven Fire Chief Paul Januszewski, who is also the chairman of the state Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, which certifies firefighters, praised CHFA for starting the expansion of "Time to Own" a month and a half early.

"We need to think differently about what motivates the individuals to enter the fire service and I'm hopeful that with this legislation that is something that will encourage others to join," he said. "When we invest in the individual, we strengthen a profession. When we strengthen a profession, we strengthen the communities that depend on us."

"It's expensive to live in some of these communities and the salaries for public officials have not caught up with the inflation of our housing economy," said State Comptroller Sean Scanlon.

State Sen. Paul Cicarella of North Haven, who was the ranking Republican on the legislative Public Safety Committee until his reelection loss last week, attended the event Tuesday and said that the bill changed drastically during this year's legislative session.

He said the original proposal to help retain and recruit first responders had more pieces but "there were a lot of costs associated with each of those sections."

"We need to support our first responders that go to work every day and take that risk," Cicarella said. "So people are going to say to themselves, 'If I'm going to make a decent living at Amazon, and have benefits, why am I going to come and put my life on the line?' And they need to be rewarded for that."