The Florida Hometown Heroes Program offers eligible essential workers up to $35,000 for the down payment and closing costs of their first home purchase. Here’s exactly who qualifies, how much it costs, and how to apply in 2026.
How much help can you get?
- Up to 5% of the first mortgage amount, with a maximum of $35,000, while most lenders set a minimum of $10,000 (Florida Housing Finance Corporation).
- Mortgages with lower interest rates than standard market rates for first mortgages.
- Lower upfront costs, no origination points or discount points on first mortgages.
- 0% interest and no monthly payments on the assistance itself.
For a $350,000 home in a county like Duval or Clay, that 5% typically equates to $15,000 to $20,000, often enough to cover the entire down payment and most of the closing costs of a home purchase in one go.
How does a second mortgage work?
The assistance comes in the form of a second home mortgage. A 0% interest, non-amortizing loan that is deferred for 30 years under the official terms of the Florida Housing program. You make no monthly payments on it. The loan will only be fully repaid if you:
- Sell the home
- Refinance the first mortgage
- Transfer the title
- No longer use the home as your primary residence
This is not a grant. Unlike forgivable loans, a Hometown Heroes second mortgage must be repaid when one of the above conditions occurs; until then, no interest will accrue, and there will be no monthly payments.
What is the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program?
The Hometown Heroes Program is a state-administered down payment assistance program for income-qualified first-time homebuyers who work full-time for a Florida-based employer.
The program combines a lower-rate first mortgage with a second loan that covers a portion of the down payment.
The program is administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and is open to first-time homebuyers, including teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, members of the military and veterans, and more than 50 other eligible first-time homebuyers.
Its goal is simple:
to help people who work in Florida’s schools, hospitals, and emergency services live in the communities they serve.
Who is eligible for the Hometown Heroes program in 2026?
Eligibility depends on four factors: employment status, income, being a first-time homebuyer, and creditworthiness.
Employment
You must be working full-time (usually 35 hours or more per week, according to program guidelines) for a Florida-based employer.
That is, a company that is either incorporated in Florida or has a physical location in the state. Only one of the borrowers on the loan application must meet this requirement.
Self-employed individuals can also qualify, but they will need additional documentation (more on that below). Veterans are exempt from the employment requirement entirely.
Eligible Occupations
More than 50 occupations are eligible for this program, including:
- Teachers and school staff
- Nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and other healthcare workers
- Law enforcement officers
- Firefighters
- Active military members and veterans
- Child care workers
- Social workers
- Other relief workers and community service roles
Since the list of Florida Housing approved occupations is updated periodically, it is a good idea to check your job title with a participating lender before assuming you are eligible.
Income Limits by County
Your household income must be less than or equal to 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in the county where you are purchasing your home.
In 2026, this cap will range from approximately $142,950 to $195,450 depending on where the home is purchased, with larger households being allowed a higher income cap than smaller households.
(Source: Florida Housing Finance Corporation – Hometown Heroes Income and Loan Limits)
Note that these numbers change as AMI data is updated, so confirm your county’s exact income threshold with a participating lender rather than relying on last year’s numbers.
First-time Homebuyer Status
Generally, you must not have owned a primary residence in the past three years. Veterans are exempt from this rule and can still use Hometown Heroes even if they have previously purchased a home, as long as they meet income and credit requirements.
Credit Score
Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 640 for all borrowers in their file. This minimum score increases to 660 for manufactured housing or loans that are evaluated through manual underwriting rather than automated approval (TSAHC lender underwriting guidelines).
Homebuyer Education
Before you finalize your purchase, you must complete an approved homebuyer education course. This is usually a short online course that covers topics such as budgeting, the mortgage process, and the responsibilities of homeownership. Veterans who are using a VA loan as their first mortgage are exempt from this requirement.
For primary residence only
The home must be your primary residence. Investment properties, vacation homes, and rental properties are not eligible, and refinances are not eligible.
What types of loans can be combined with Hometown Heroes?
Hometown Heroes is not a stand-alone mortgage; rather, it is a type of assistance offered alongside a first mortgage.
The program is available with FHA, VA, USDA/RD, or Conventional loans based on Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac standards, and each of these loans has its own underwriting rules in addition to the program requirements.
Newly constructed homes are also eligible, provided the property meets the requirements of your selected loan type. However, Construction-to-Permanent Loans, vacant land, and large acreage properties are excluded from the program.
For veterans, combining a VA loan with a zero-down payment and the Hometown Heroes program can result in very low or zero out-of-pocket costs at closing. The VA financing fee is added to the loan amount, and Hometown Heroes covers closing costs and down payment items.
How to Apply: Step by Step
1. Verify your eligibility
Full-time employment in Florida in a qualifying occupation (or have veteran status), be a first-time homebuyer (or have a veteran exemption), have a household income below the county income threshold, and have a minimum credit score of 640.
2. Prepare your documents
Employment records, tax returns and W-2 forms, pay stubs or employment verification letter from employer, credit reports, proof of first-time homebuyer status if required, and proof of completion of a homebuyer education course.
3. Find a participating lender
Not all lenders offer the Hometown Heroes program, so you must work with a lender approved by Florida Housing. There is no separate application or fee for the program itself, and the assistance is included in your regular mortgage application.
4. Get Pre-Approval
The lender will review your employment, income, and first-time homebuyer status and then issue a preliminary approval letter that includes the Hometown Heroes grant amount.
5. Reserve your funds and close the deal.
Your program funds will be reserved for you when the purchase agreement is fully signed by both parties, not before. After that, the case will go through the usual validation and closing process, and you will sign the second mortgage documents at the same time as the first mortgage documents.
Funding Tip: Hometown Heroes funding is funded annually by the Florida Legislature and is allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. In some past years, the program funds have run out before the end of the fiscal year, so getting your preliminary approval as soon as possible will increase your chances.
How to increase your chances of getting approved?
A few things can increase your chances of getting approved and getting better terms:
- Build your credit score before you apply by paying your bills on time and avoiding opening new credit accounts.
- Reduce your debt-to-income ratio by reducing your current debt. Automated credit checks typically accept DTI ratios up to 50%, while manual credit checks typically have a DTI of closer to 43%.
- Have more than the minimum savings requirement, as lenders often expect applicants to have money saved up for expenses like a home inspection, appraisal, and the first few months of homeownership.
- Complete your homebuyer education course early so you have one less step before closing on a purchase.
Can self-employed people use Hometown Heroes?
Yes. Self-employed applicants can also qualify, but they must provide a third-party verification of their full-time employment status, rather than the pay stubs that regular employees provide.
Specifically, you must provide a Letter of Explanation (LOX) from a certified public accountant (CPA), bookkeeper, or tax preparer.
