Key Takeaways
- — Up to $35,000 for down payment and closing costs (5% of loan amount)
- — 0% interest, no monthly payments while you live in the home
- — NOT forgivable — must be repaid when you sell, refinance, or move out
- — 100+ eligible professions including teachers, nurses, police, firefighters, military
- — First-time buyers (or haven't owned in 3 years) — veterans exempt
- — ~$50 million funding for 2025-2026 — funds are limited, first-come first-served
What Is the Hometown Heroes Program?
Hometown Heroes is Florida's flagship down payment assistance program for essential workers. Launched in 2022 by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, it has helped tens of thousands of Floridians become homeowners by covering the biggest barrier to buying: the upfront cash needed to close.
The program provides a second mortgage that covers your down payment and closing costs—up to $35,000. But unlike a traditional loan, this one charges 0% interest and requires no monthly payments while you live in the home as your primary residence.
The catch? It's not free money. The loan must be repaid in full when you sell, refinance, transfer ownership, or stop using the property as your primary residence. Think of it as an interest-free loan that lets you keep your cash while you build equity.
How Hometown Heroes Works
What You Get
- ✓ Up to 5% of loan amount (max $35,000)
- ✓ Covers down payment AND closing costs
- ✓ 0% interest rate
- ✓ No monthly payments
- ✓ 30-year deferred term
What You Owe
- ✗ NOT forgivable—full repayment required
- ✗ Due when you sell the home
- ✗ Due when you refinance
- ✗ Due if you move out
- ✗ Due at end of 30-year term
Bonus Savings
Hometown Heroes buyers also save on documentary stamp tax and intangible tax exemptions—approximately $2,000 for every $100,000 of purchase price. On a $400,000 home, that's an extra $8,000 in savings beyond the down payment assistance.
How Much Down Payment Assistance Can You Get?
Hometown Heroes provides 5% of your first mortgage loan amount, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum cap of $35,000. The amount is automatically calculated based on your loan size.
This assistance can be used for your down payment, closing costs, or both. Combined with your first mortgage, many buyers achieve 100% financing—meaning they can buy a home with little to no cash out of pocket.
| First Mortgage Amount | Hometown Heroes Assistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 or less | $10,000 | Minimum assistance |
| $250,000 | $12,500 | 5% calculation |
| $300,000 | $15,000 | 5% calculation |
| $400,000 | $20,000 | 5% calculation |
| $500,000 | $25,000 | 5% calculation |
| $600,000 | $30,000 | 5% calculation |
| $700,000+ | $35,000 | Maximum cap |
Real Example: $350,000 Home Purchase
Without Hometown Heroes
- Purchase Price: $350,000
- Down Payment (3.5% FHA): $12,250
- Estimated Closing Costs: $10,500
- Cash Needed: $22,750
With Hometown Heroes
- Purchase Price: $350,000
- Loan Amount: $337,750
- Hometown Heroes (5%): $16,888
- Cash Needed: ~$5,862
*Actual amounts depend on loan type, lender fees, and specific closing costs. This is an illustrative example.
Who Qualifies? Eligible Occupations
Hometown Heroes is designed for Florida's essential workers—the people who keep our communities running. Over 100 professions qualify, and only one borrower on the loan needs to have an eligible job.
Important Change
The program was updated in 2025 to require specific eligible occupations. Previously, any full-time Florida worker could qualify. Now you must work in one of the approved profession categories below.
Healthcare Workers
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
- Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)
- Physicians & Physician Assistants
- Medical Technicians
- Pharmacists & Pharmacy Techs
- Therapists (PT, OT, Speech)
- Mental Health Counselors
Education Professionals
- K-12 Teachers
- School Administrators
- School Counselors
- Paraprofessionals & Aides
- School Support Staff
- Librarians
- College/University Professors
- Special Education Teachers
First Responders
- Police Officers
- Sheriff's Deputies
- Firefighters
- EMTs & Paramedics
- 911 Dispatchers
- Corrections Officers
- Probation Officers
- Search & Rescue
Military & Veterans
- Active Duty (all branches)
- Reserves
- Florida National Guard
- Coast Guard
- Veterans (honorably discharged)*
- *Veterans must be employed full-time by a Florida employer
Court System
- Court Clerks
- Court Reporters
- Bailiffs
- Public Defenders
- State Attorneys Staff
- Judicial Assistants
Childcare Workers
- Daycare Providers
- Preschool Teachers
- Early Childhood Educators
- Childcare Center Staff
- After-School Program Workers
- Head Start Employees
Only One Borrower Needs to Qualify
If you're buying with a spouse or partner, only one of you needs to have an eligible occupation. The other can work in any field—or even be unemployed—as long as you meet the combined income limits and other requirements.
Eligibility Requirements Checklist
Beyond having an eligible job, you must meet these requirements to qualify for Hometown Heroes assistance. Not sure what you can afford? Use our home affordability calculator to estimate your budget.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| First-Time Homebuyer | No home ownership in the past 3 years. Veterans are exempt from this requirement. |
| Employment | Full-time (35+ hours/week) with a Florida-based employer. Remote work OK if employer is in Florida. |
| Credit Score | 640 minimum for most loans. 660 minimum for manufactured homes and manual underwriting. |
| Debt-to-Income (DTI) | 50% maximum with automated underwriting. 43% maximum for manual underwriting. 45% max for manufactured homes. |
| Income Limit | Household income must be below 150% of area median income. Varies by county (see income limits section). |
| Homebuyer Education | Must complete a HUD-approved course (online OK, valid 2 years). Veterans using VA loans are exempt. |
| Property Type | Primary residence only. Single-family, townhomes, condos, 2-4 unit (owner-occupied), manufactured homes. |
| NOT Eligible | Investment properties, vacation homes, refinances, vacant land. |
Special Benefits for Veterans
Veterans receive special consideration under Hometown Heroes:
- ✓ No first-time buyer requirement — can have owned homes before
- ✓ No homebuyer education course required when using VA loan
- ✓ Must be honorably discharged and employed full-time in Florida
Looking for more veteran benefits? See our guide to Florida veteran property tax exemptions.
2026 Income Limits by County
Your total household income must be at or below your county's limit. These limits were updated in January 2026 and represent 150% of area median income.
Income limits vary significantly across Florida's 67 counties. Higher cost-of-living areas like Miami-Dade and Monroe have higher limits, while rural counties have lower thresholds.
| County/Area | 2026 Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Monroe County (Keys) | $195,450 |
| Miami-Dade County | $185,850 |
| Palm Beach County | $175,650 |
| Broward County | $172,950 |
| Collier County (Naples) | $170,400 |
| Sarasota County | $161,400 |
| Manatee County | $161,400 |
| Orange, Osceola, Seminole (Orlando) | $158,100 |
| Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco (Tampa) | $156,450 |
| Alachua County (Gainesville) | $156,000 |
| Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau (Jacksonville) | $153,750 |
| Lee County (Fort Myers) | $153,300 |
| Escambia County (Pensacola) | $147,150 |
| Leon, Marion, Volusia, others | $142,950 |
Don't See Your County?
Florida has 67 counties, each with its own income limit. For the complete list, visit the Florida Housing income limits PDF or contact a participating lender who can check your specific county.
Eligible Loan Types & Limits
Hometown Heroes works with four major loan programs. You must use an authorized participating lender—Florida Housing sets the same interest rates across all participating lenders, so there's no rate shopping.
FHA Loans
- 2026 Limit: $541,287 (most counties)
- Down Payment: 3.5% minimum
- Credit Score: 640+
- Best For: Lower credit scores, smaller down payments
Conventional Loans
- 2026 Limit: $832,750 (conforming)
- Down Payment: 3-5% minimum
- Credit Score: 640+
- Best For: Higher loan amounts, avoiding PMI faster
VA Loans
- Limit: No maximum
- Down Payment: 0% (no down payment)
- Credit Score: 640+
- Best For: Veterans & active military
USDA Loans
- Limit: Varies by county
- Down Payment: 0% (no down payment)
- Credit Score: 640+
- Best For: Rural areas, no down payment
Eligible Property Types
✓ Eligible
- Single-family homes
- Townhomes
- Condos (FHA-approved)
- 2-4 unit properties (owner-occupied)
- Manufactured homes
- New construction
✗ NOT Eligible
- Investment properties
- Vacation homes / second homes
- Vacant land / lot loans
- Refinance transactions
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
The application process is handled through authorized lenders, not directly with Florida Housing. Here's exactly what to expect from start to close.
Check Your Eligibility
Review the income limits for your county, confirm you have an eligible occupation, and verify you meet the first-time buyer requirement (or veteran exemption). Use our checklist above.
Find a Participating Lender
You must use an authorized Hometown Heroes lender. Find one through FloridaHousing.org or ask local mortgage brokers if they participate. All lenders offer the same Florida Housing rates.
Get Pre-Approved
Submit your application with income documentation, employment verification, and credit check. Average pre-approval time: 1-2 days. There is no application fee.
Complete Homebuyer Education
Take a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Online courses are accepted and typically take 4-8 hours. Certification is valid for 2 years. Veterans using VA loans are exempt.
Find a Home & Get Under Contract
Shop for your home with your pre-approval in hand. Once you find one and get your offer accepted, your lender can reserve Hometown Heroes funds for your transaction.
Lender Reserves Funds
Your lender submits a reservation request to Florida Housing. Funds are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available.
Close on Your Home
Complete the standard closing process. Your Hometown Heroes assistance is applied at closing to cover your down payment and closing costs. Average time from contract to close: 30-45 days.
Scam Warning
Never pay upfront fees to apply for Hometown Heroes. Florida Housing warns that scammers target homebuyers with fake application fees. The program has no application fee. If anyone asks you to pay before applying, it's a scam. Report fraud to Florida Housing directly.
Need Help Getting Started?
Free, no-obligation introductions to vetted Hometown Heroes professionals
Find a Realtor
Hometown Heroes experienced
- Knows DPA-friendly listings
- Coordinates with HTH lenders
- Guides you through closing
Find a Lender
Florida Housing approved
- Authorized HTH lender
- Handles fund reservation
- Free pre-approval (1-2 days)
When and How You Repay the Loan
Hometown Heroes is NOT a grant—it's a deferred loan that must be repaid. The good news: you pay 0% interest, so you only repay exactly what you received, no matter how long you stay.
The loan becomes due and payable when any of these events occur:
Loan Becomes Due When You:
- • Sell the home — repaid from sale proceeds (see our capital gains calculator)
- • Refinance your first mortgage
- • Transfer ownership to someone else
- • Move out / stop using as primary residence
- • First mortgage matures (end of 30-year term)
Example: You Sell After 10 Years
- Original assistance received: $25,000
- Interest charged over 10 years: $0
- Amount you repay at sale: $25,000
With a traditional second mortgage at 8% interest, you'd owe ~$54,000 after 10 years. Hometown Heroes saves you $29,000 in interest.
What If You Stay Forever?
If you never sell, refinance, or move out, the loan technically becomes due when your first mortgage reaches the end of its term (typically 30 years). At that point, you'd repay the original assistance amount—still at 0% interest.
2026 Funding Status: Act Fast
Hometown Heroes funding is limited and first-come, first-served. When the money runs out, the program pauses until Florida allocates more—which isn't guaranteed.
| Fiscal Year | Funding Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | ~$100 million | Program at full funding |
| 2024-2025 | ~$100 million | High demand, funds depleted multiple times |
| 2025-2026 | $50 million | 50% reduction from previous years |
Important: Check Current Status
Funding status changes frequently—sometimes weekly. The program can pause when funds deplete and resume when replenished. Always contact an approved lender to verify real-time availability before starting your home search.
Don't Wait — Get Pre-Approved Now
Even if you're not ready to buy today, getting pre-approved positions you to act quickly when you find the right home. Some lenders will place you first in line if funding temporarily pauses.
- • Pre-approval is free and takes 1-2 days
- • Locks in your eligibility
- • Makes your offer stronger to sellers
- • Gets you in line before funds run out
Other Florida Down Payment Programs
Don't qualify for Hometown Heroes? Florida has other options. Here's how they compare.
| Program | Amount | Job Restriction? | Forgivable? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hometown Heroes | Up to $35,000 | Yes — essential workers | No | Teachers, nurses, first responders |
| FL Assist | $10,000 | No — any job | No | Anyone who doesn't qualify for HTH |
| SHIP (County) | $15K–$60K | No — any job | Often yes | Those wanting forgivable assistance |
FL Assist
Florida Housing's other statewide program. Same 0% interest, deferred structure — but only $10,000 and no job restrictions. Good backup if you don't have an eligible occupation. Apply through the same lenders.
SHIP (County Programs)
Each of Florida's 67 counties runs its own program. Amounts vary widely ($15K–$60K). Some offer forgivable loans if you stay 10-15 years. Contact your county's housing department.
Bottom line: If you qualify for Hometown Heroes, it's usually the best deal. But if funding runs out or you don't have an eligible job, FL Assist and SHIP are solid alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hometown Heroes forgivable?
+Can I use Hometown Heroes with an FHA loan?
+What if I'm not a first-time homebuyer?
+Can remote workers qualify?
+Can I have a cosigner on my loan?
+How fast is the approval process?
+What happens if I sell my house in 5 years?
+Are Hometown Heroes funds still available in 2026?
+Need Assistance?
Our Florida-based team is here to help with homeownership questions. For loan-specific advice, we recommend consulting a participating Hometown Heroes lender.
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Property Exemption Team
Our team includes licensed real estate professionals and specializes in Florida Homeownership Guidance. This guide was researched using official sources including Florida Housing Finance Corporation, participating lenders, and state program documentation.