Every month, our Got Your Six list celebrates outstanding advocates who support law enforcement through legislation, philanthropy or community initiatives. This month, we’re proud to honor Samuel Royer, founder and president of Salute Home Loans, whose grassroots mission is changing the conversation around homeownership for first responders.
March’s Got Your Six List Honoree: Samuel Royer
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran with 26 years in the mortgage industry, Royer has always believed in serving others. But it wasn’t until a police officer sat across from him — in uniform, on his way to a shift, unable to afford a home — that his mission took shape.
That moment sparked the idea for the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator and Responder (HELPER) Act, a bill that would create a home loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), eliminating down payment and mortgage insurance requirements for eligible first-time homebuyers, including law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters, EMS providers and educators.
Royer’s efforts, including getting the bill reintroduced in Congress in March, have been nothing short of relentless. “It has truly been an honor to serve and fight for this legislation. It is my continuation of service,” Royer told Police1.” With more than 100 meetings on Capitol Hill, partnerships with major public safety organizations and the support of grassroots ambassadors nationwide, Royer continues to push for change that could impact thousands of officers and their families.
“Why can I, as a veteran, get a home with no money down, but the cop protecting my neighborhood or the teacher educating my kids can’t?” Royer questioned during a 2023 podcast. “These individuals serve tirelessly. They don’t get into their industries to become millionaires — they do it to serve others. So now you think about a home — the one thing they protect from robbers, the one thing they protect from fires and the place where we’re raising our kids — why don’t we help them get a house more affordably?”
Listen to the podcast episode, where Royer shares how an interaction with a police officer sparked a nationwide housing initiative — and what it will take to get the HELPER Act passed:
Want to dive deeper into how the HELPER Act works and what it could mean for you? Read this article to learn more about the proposed legislation and how it aims to make homeownership more accessible for first responders:
What is Police1’s Got Your Six list?
“I got your six” is a way of saying “I’ve got your back.” Police1’s Got Your Six list celebrates just that — individuals and organizations that stand by law enforcement through unwavering support, advocacy and community initiatives. Each month, we highlight those who go above and beyond to ensure our officers have the resources, care and encouragement they need.
For more inspiring profiles from our honorees, please visit our Got Your Six list page on Police1. Explore their stories and learn how you, too, can help support those who serve on the front lines.
