Up to $35,000 in Down Payment Assistance
Eligible borrowers receive 5% of the loan amount in down payment and closing cost assistance — with 0% interest and no monthly payments.
About the Program
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program, provided through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, is designed to honor and support those who serve our communities. This program provides essential down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers to assist them in the purchase of a primary residence in the state of Florida.
The assistance is provided as a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. You do not make monthly payments on the assistance — the loan is only repaid when you sell the home, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
2025 Program Update: As of July 1, 2025, eligibility has changed significantly. The program is now limited to specific frontline occupations. If you qualified in a prior year, please review the updated requirements below to confirm your current eligibility.
Eligible Occupations (2025)
To qualify, at least one borrower must be employed full-time (35+ hours per week) by a Florida-based employer in one of the following approved occupational categories:
Healthcare
Employed by a Florida-based healthcare provider, hospital, physician's office, assisted living facility, or mental health facility.
Education
Employed full-time by a Florida-based K–12 public, private, charter, or magnet school.
First Responders
Employed by a Florida-based fire department, ambulance service, or hospital emergency services.
Law Enforcement & Public Safety
Employed by a Florida-based local, county, state, or federal law enforcement agency, juvenile detention facility, correctional facility, or emergency operations center.
Court System
Employed by a Florida-based county, state, or federal court, court administrator's office, State Attorney's Office, or Public Defender's Office.
Childcare
Employed full-time by a Florida-based licensed childcare facility.
Active Duty Military
All active duty or reserve service members of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Florida National Guard.
Veterans
Veterans employed full-time by a Florida-based employer who have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Important: If your occupation does not fall into one of the categories above, you will not be eligible for the 2025 program — even if you qualified in previous years. Call us if you're unsure whether your job qualifies.
Program Eligibility Requirements
In addition to the occupation requirement, borrowers must meet all of the following criteria:
First-Time Homebuyer — Must not have owned a home in the last 3 years. Veterans and active-duty military are exempt from this requirement.
Florida Employment — At least one borrower must be employed full-time (35+ hours/week) by a Florida-based employer in an eligible occupation.
Income Limits — Household income cannot exceed the maximum limit for the county where the property is located. Limits vary by county and household size.
Homebuyer Education — Completion of an approved first-time homebuyer counseling course is required.
Primary Residence — The property must be used as the borrower's primary residence.
Compatible Loan Types — The program can be used with FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional mortgage loans.
Not sure if you're within the income limits for your county?
How the Assistance Works
The down payment assistance is structured as a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. Here's what that means for you:
No Monthly Payments — You make no monthly payments on the assistance amount.
Repaid at Sale or Refinance — The loan is only repaid when you sell the home, refinance the primary mortgage, or pay off the first mortgage.
Funds Can Be Used For: Down payment, closing costs, prepaid taxes and insurance escrows, and upfront mortgage insurance premiums.
Limited Funds Available — Assistance is subject to available funding. Once funds are reserved they go quickly, so it is important to act promptly once you are pre-approved and under contract.