07/15/2026
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is a state-sponsored homeownership assistance program designed to help eligible workers buy a primary residence in the communities where they live and work. It is administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Eligible homebuyers can receive:
* Up to 5% of the first mortgage amount for down payment and closing costs.
* A minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000 in assistance.
* A competitive first mortgage interest rate through participating lenders.
* No lender origination or discount points on the first mortgage.
The down payment assistance is provided as:
* A 0% interest, 30-year deferred second mortgage
* No monthly payments
* The balance becomes due when you:
* Sell the home
* Refinance the first mortgage
* Transfer ownership
* Stop using the home as your primary residence
Who is eligible?
For the current program, applicants generally must:
* Be a first-time homebuyer (active-duty military members and many veterans may qualify without meeting the first-time buyer requirement).
* Work full-time for a Florida-based employer.
* Be employed in an eligible occupation.
* Meet county income limits.
* Meet lender credit and underwriting requirements (many participating lenders require at least a 640 credit score).
* Purchase the home as their primary residence.
Eligible occupations include many essential workforce positions, such as:
* Teachers and other school staff
* Nurses and healthcare workers
* Law enforcement officers
* Firefighters and EMTs
* Corrections and court employees
* Child care workers
* Active-duty military and reservists
* Florida National Guard members
* Veterans who are employed full-time by a Florida-based employer
The program can be paired with several mortgage types, including:
* FHA
* VA
* USDA Rural Development
* Conventional loans
The program receives a limited amount of state funding each year, and funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the allocated funds are exhausted, new applicants must wait until additional funding is approved. The most recent funding cycle committed approximately $50 million, helping more than 3,000 Florida families purchase homes.
If you’re a school employee, public employee, or first responder, this program can significantly reduce the amount of cash you need at closing.
Call me to see how this program may be the perfect option for you.
