Hometown Heroes Mortgage Program | Florida Down Payment Assistance

Hometown Heroes: Mortgage Assistance for Florida's Community Workforce

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program may provide down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible full-time community workforce employees purchasing a primary residence in Florida. Subject to program availability, credit, income, and lender guidelines.

What Is the Hometown Heroes Program?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is offered through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It is designed to help eligible full-time community workforce employees purchase their first home in the communities where they work and serve.

The program provides down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount (maximum $35,000, minimum $10,000), structured as a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. The second mortgage becomes due upon sale, refinance, deed transfer, or when the property is no longer your primary residence - it is not forgivable. It is paired with a first mortgage from an approved lender.

Program availability, income limits, and assistance amounts are subject to change. Contact us with questions about current program terms and whether you may qualify.

Who May Be Eligible

The Hometown Heroes program is generally available to full-time Florida employees in qualifying occupations, including:

Teachers and school employees
Law enforcement officers and correctional officers
Firefighters and first responders
Nurses, paramedics, and healthcare workers
Active military and veterans
Other certified community workforce occupations

You must be a first-time homebuyer or not have owned a primary residence in the past three years (with some exceptions for active military). The property must be your primary residence in Florida.

Eligibility is subject to income limits by county, credit requirements, and lender guidelines.

How the Assistance Works

Hometown Heroes assistance works as follows:

Down payment and closing cost help: Up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount (maximum $35,000, minimum $10,000), applied toward down payment and closing costs.
Paired with a first mortgage: The program is combined with an eligible first mortgage such as FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional.
Deferred second mortgage: The assistance is structured as a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. It is not forgivable and becomes due upon sale, refinance, deed transfer, or if the home is no longer your primary residence.

Assistance amounts and terms are set by Florida Housing and are subject to program funding and availability.

Eligible Property Types

Single-family homes
Townhomes
Condominiums (subject to approval)
2-4 unit properties (borrower must occupy one unit)

The property must be in Florida and serve as your primary residence.

Loan Types That May Be Paired with Hometown Heroes

Depending on your eligibility, the Hometown Heroes program may be paired with:

FHA loans
VA loans
USDA loans
Conventional loans (including HFA preferred programs)

The first mortgage type that fits your situation depends on your eligibility and goals - see our program guides for details.

Important Disclosures

The Hometown Heroes program is subject to funding availability. Program terms, income limits, and assistance amounts may change without notice. Not all borrowers will qualify. Subject to credit approval, income verification, property approval, and lender guidelines. This is not a commitment to lend.

Contact Homebuyer Inside Track with questions about your specific scenario and current program availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Florida Hometown Heroes program?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is a state-sponsored initiative offered through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It may provide up to 5% of the first mortgage amount (max $35,000) in down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible full-time community workforce employees purchasing a primary residence in Florida. The assistance is a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage - not a grant or forgivable loan. Source: Florida Housing - Hometown Heroes.

Who qualifies for the Hometown Heroes program?

Generally, full-time Florida employees in qualifying community workforce occupations may be eligible. This includes teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, nurses, paramedics, active military, veterans, and other certified occupations. You must typically be a first-time homebuyer and meet income limits by county. Eligibility is subject to program guidelines and lender qualification.

How much assistance does the Hometown Heroes program provide?

The program provides up to 5% of your first mortgage loan amount in assistance, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. The funds can be used for down payment and closing costs. Source: Florida Housing - Hometown Heroes.

Does the Hometown Heroes program require repayment?

Yes. The assistance is a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage - it is not a grant or forgivable loan. The balance becomes due when you sell the home, refinance the first mortgage, transfer the deed, or the home is no longer your primary residence. Source: Florida Housing - Hometown Heroes.

Can I use the Hometown Heroes program if I already own a home?

Generally, the program requires that you be a first-time homebuyer, meaning you have not owned a primary residence in the past three years. There are exceptions for active military. Contact us to learn more about eligibility requirements.