Tunnels to Towers Pays Off 55 More Mortgages on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11

55 Mortgage Payoffs on the 25th Anniversary

The foundation timed the announcement deliberately. The 55 mortgage payoffs are part of its 343-mortgage-free-home “living memorial” for 2026, honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. Every payoff means a widow, widower, or child keeps the family home without the weight of a mortgage, a quiet act of justice that turns a number into a roof over someone's head.

This builds on a mission I have written about before: the foundation's goal of 343 mortgage-free homes across its Smart Home, Fallen First Responder Home, and Gold Star Family Home programs, plus an expanding network of Veterans Villages around the country. You can read more about the full 2026 plan in my earlier Tunnels to Towers update.

Steel Across America Crosses the Finish Line

The foundation's Steel Across America tour also concluded on September 11. An authentic piece of World Trade Center steel traveled more than 10,500 miles to stops in 21 states and Washington, D.C., including a September 8 commemoration at the White House Ellipse. On the 25th anniversary itself, the beam made its final stop at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in New York City, retracing the final steps of firefighter Stephen Siller, the man whose sacrifice gave the foundation its name. It was a fitting end to a journey that carried a piece of history through the heart of America.

I first reflected on the meaning of the Steel Across America beam and the 343-home commitment in my 25th anniversary reflection, and what home means to the families these programs serve.

Chicago Rises: The First Tower Climb

One day later, on September 12, 2026, Chicago hosted its inaugural Tower Climb at 150 North Riverside Plaza, raising $44,000 for the foundation. These climbs, where participants ascend skyscraper stairs to honor the first responders who ran up the World Trade Center towers, are spreading to cities across the country. Every one of them funds mortgage-free homes and veteran housing. If you have ever wanted to earn a medal while honoring heroes, these climbs are worth watching for in your own city.

More Than 20,000 Veterans Helped

The foundation's homeless-veteran program, which provides housing, addiction treatment, and financial counseling, is on track to assist more than 20,000 veterans by the end of 2026. That is 20,000 stories of stability restored, one veteran at a time, and it is the kind of measurable impact that makes me proud to point people toward this work. For veterans in Southern California wondering about their own path to homeownership, I have built a dedicated set of resources on my veterans page, and my Sam's Heroes program gives back to veterans, first responders, and public servants when they buy or sell a home with me.

New Legislation to Expand Veteran Housing

On September 14, 2026, Representative Dan Meuser introduced legislation drafted with the Tunnels to Towers Foundation to expand HUD-VASH housing assistance for homeless veterans. The HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance with case management for veterans facing homelessness. Legislation like this matters because it takes a proven model and scales it, and it shows that the foundation's influence now extends from ground-level service to national policy.

What It Means Here in Southern California

This Saturday, September 19, 2026, the foundation's 1st Annual Huntington Beach 5K Run & Walk takes place at Huntington City Beach, the first event of its kind on the West Coast. It is a rare chance to participate in this mission close to home, and I have written in detail about why this event matters. One week later, the landmark 25th Anniversary NYC 5K takes place in Brooklyn on September 27. Together they close out a September of remembrance, service, and action.

Southern California is home to major military installations, a large veteran population, and thousands of first responders who serve our cities every day. When a foundation that started with one firefighter's sacrifice reaches 55 more mortgage-free homes and 20,000 veterans helped, it is a reminder that each of us can carry a piece of that mission forward.

How You Can Be Part of the Mission