The "Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2025," also known as the HELPER Act of 2025, seeks to establish a new mortgage insurance program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). This program is specifically designed to assist certain categories of first responders in purchasing homes. It amends the National Housing Act to create a dedicated FHA mortgage insurance option, making homeownership more accessible for these essential workers. The bill broadly defines eligible "first responders" to include full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians employed by federal, state, tribal, or local governments. Significantly, it also extends eligibility to full-time teachers in State-accredited public or private schools serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. A core feature of this program is that it allows qualified first-time homebuyers to obtain mortgages with no down payment , covering up to 100 percent of the appraised property value for their principal residence. To be eligible, mortgagors must complete housing counseling and attest to their employment as a first responder for at least four of the preceding five years, or have been released due to an occupation-connected disability. They must also be in good standing and intend to continue their service for at least one year after closing. The program requires an upfront mortgage insurance premium , which can be adjusted by the Secretary, but it explicitly prohibits monthly mortgage insurance premiums . The authority to insure new mortgages under this program is set to expire five years after its initial availability, with specific appropriations authorized for its implementation.