Assistant Leader Neguse Announces Housing Refunds for Federal Firefighters

Lafayette, CO — Today, House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, announced actions to improve the affordability of Forest Service (USFS) housing and quarters for federal firefighters and other employees. Congressman Neguse joined USFS Chief Randy Moore and the United States Department of Agriculture in alerting Forest Service employees that they will be eligible for a temporary housing refund. The refunds will cover up to half the rent for eligible Forest Service employees residing in government-owned housing.

This announcement follows a letter Assistant Leader Neguse led back in February, signed by a bipartisan coalition of western lawmakers, that called on the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the National Park Service (NPS) to address concerns about reports of exorbitant rent increases plaguing federal wildland firefighters. 

“For months I’ve sounded the alarm that, across the country, there are federal firefighters and Forest Service employees who can no longer afford to live where they work. We must continue to use every tool available to address this issue, including by delivering temporary housing refunds,” said Assistant Leader Neguse. “This is a moment of relief for countless wildland firefighters across Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District and the Rocky Mountain West. But, while it is a step forward, I will continue to work with the broad coalition of lawmakers we’ve assembled in Washington, D.C. to ensure federal firefighters receive the fair pay, benefits, and the resources necessary to do their jobs.” 

The temporary housing refunds are estimated to benefit up to 5,500 employees in Forest Service housing. Employees under GS-1 to GS-10 or wage pay grades are eligible for a refund covering half their rent for government-owned housing. Those under GS level 11, step 1, through GS 13, step 10 are eligible for a 10 percent refund of their Forest Service housing rent. Additional information on this announcement can be found here. 

Assistant Leader Neguse, a staunch advocate for legislation to improve working conditions for federal firefighters, recently joined wildland firefighters and Representative Ruben Gallego for a visit on Capitol Hill. The group discussed the need for Congress to pass the bipartisan, bicameral Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, which increases firefighter pay and bolsters recruitment, retention, and well-being. Neguse also joined Representatives Josh Harder and Scott Franklin in introducing a landmark piece of legislation to improve fire readiness through the implementation of a first-of-its-kind approach to modernizing how the United States combats the wildfire crisis.

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