The Austin Apartment Association announced the launch a new program Thursday that invites landlords to provide financial assistance to first responders struggling to afford housing in Austin.

The new program, dubbed the “Apartner in Safety Alliance,” was designed to encourage participating property owners to waive fees, reduce security deposits or discount rents for police officers, firefighters and other first responders so they can better afford living in the communities they serve, said Apartment Association President Kimberly Faulkner told reporters at a Thursday news conference.

“This initiative is designed to support our first responders while strengthening the connection between residents and the professionals who serve and protect our community every day,” Faulkner said.

To support the initiative, the Apartment Association will host on its website a listing of properties participating in the program. The directory listed 61 properties as of Friday.

Faulkner said the Apartment Association will also help arrange community gatherings with first responders at participating proprieties. Building owners can also request a walkthrough performed by emergency responders to identify potential safety improvements, such as where additional lighting would help and which access points may need additional security.

A recent American-Statesman analysis found median salaries at Austin’s three public safety agencies landed in the low-six figures last year — $102,000 at Emergency Management Services, $113,000 at the Austin Fire Department and $130,00 at the Austin Police Department. However, those salaries are considered low for a family of four living in the city given high housing costs. Another recent Statesman analysis also found that some first responders earn far higher incomes by working long overtime hours, possibly driving up the median salaries for their respective agencies.

The association’s housing initiative was created with the support of the labor unions representing Austin police officers, firefighters and paramedics. Austin EMS Association President James Monks said at the news conference that some of the city’s paramedics live an hour or more outside of Austin because of the high housing costs here, adding an extra hour to already long working days.

“That’s an extra hour of driving right before they go to a 24-hour shift,” Monks said.”It’s less sleep, it’s more stress and it’s a higher chance of burnout.”

Monks said affordable housing was a critical component of public safety, because it enables first responders to live among the people they serve.

“If you want first responders to keep showing up for their communities, their communities also have to continue showing up for them,” Monks said.