The Florida Hometown Heroes Program is an affordable housing initiative created to help first-time homebuyers, Veterans, active-duty service members, and full-time Florida workers purchase a home in the community they serve.

It provides up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance through a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments.

The program also offers competitive interest rates on your first mortgage, and it’s only available through authorized participating lenders approved by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

This newly expanded program makes qualifying easier than ever, and funds are reserved only after you're pre-approved and under contract.

Because the funds are limited, it's important to get started early.

To qualify for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, most applicants must meet four key criteria:

First-Time Homebuyer Status

You must not have owned a home in the past three years. Veterans and active-duty military are exempt from this requirement.

Full-Time Employment in Florida

You must work full-time (35+ hours per week) for a Florida-based employer. Veterans and active-duty military are also exempt from this rule.

County Income Limits

Your household income must be at or below the limit for your county, based on household size. This requirement applies to all applicants, including Veterans.

Loan Qualification Standards

You must meet the guidelines for your first mortgage loan type (FHA, VA, or Conventional), including minimum 640 credit score and a debt-to-income ratio of 50% or less.

Hometown Heroes Assistance Facts:

The down payment assistance provided through the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is a 0% interest, 30-year deferred second mortgage. There is no monthly payment required during the life of the loan.

The original principle balance of this assistance loan must be repaid in full when any of the following occurs:

1. The home is sold.

2. The first mortgage is refinanced.

3. The borrower moves to another property.

4. The loan reaches maturity.

At no time is this loan forgiven.

💰 Down Payment Assistance Amount

The assistance is based on 5% of the total new loan amount, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000.

Yes. The down payment assistance provided through the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is not a grant and is not forgivable.

The assistance is structured as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage. There are no monthly payments, but the full amount must be repaid in one lump sum when:

1. You sell the home.

2. You refinance your first mortgage.

3. You move out of the property.

4. The 30-year term of the second mortgage ends

Even if you live in the home for the full 30 years, the loan must still be repaid when the term is complete.

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program can be used with the following primary loan types:

• FHA (Federal Housing Administration)

• VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

• Conventional (Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac)

• USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development)

The program is only available for primary residence purchases and cannot be used for second homes or investment properties. You must meet all guidelines for your selected loan type, including credit score, income, and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio requirements.

👉 Assistance must be paired with a first mortgage originated by a participating lender approved by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

If you're unsure which loan type fits your situation best, we can help you explore your options.

Yes. To qualify for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, you must meet both credit and income requirements.

Minimum Credit Score:

A minimum FICO score of 640 is required for all loan types. A minimum FICO score of 660 is required for manufactured and mobile housing.

Income Limits:

Your total household income must be at or below the maximum income limit for your county, based on household size. These limits vary across Florida and are updated annually by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

To check your local income limit, visit the 📊 Income Limits page.

In most cases, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is only available to first-time homebuyers. This means you must not have owned a home in the past three years. However, there are two important exceptions:

1. Veterans and active-duty service members are exempt from the first-time homebuyer requirement and can use the program even if they’ve owned a home recently.

2. Some buyers may qualify again after a three-year waiting period from the date they last owned a home.

If you’re not sure whether you meet the first-time buyer definition, our team can help you review your eligibility and explore your options.

There’s no hidden catch, but there are a few important guidelines to understand before using the Florida Hometown Heroes Program:

• The assistance is not a grant. It is a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment, that must be repaid in full when you sell, refinance, move out, or reach the end of the 30-year term.

• You must meet all loan program requirements, including a minimum 640 credit score, a debt-to-income ratio of 50% or less, and county-specific income limits.

• The program is available only through participating lenders approved by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

• Assistance funds are reserved only after you're pre-approved and under contract on a home, and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

• 💡 Unlike most assistance programs, Hometown Heroes features higher income limits in every Florida county, making it one of the few programs that still works with today’s home prices in the Sunshine State. 🌴

You don’t apply directly through Florida Housing. Instead, you must work with a participating lender who is approved to offer the Florida Hometown Heroes Program.

Here’s how to get started: 

1. Complete a pre-approval with a participating lender

This confirms your eligibility and loan options based on credit, income, and other program guidelines.

2. Get under contract on a home

The Florida Hometown Heroes assistance can only be reserved after you're pre-approved and under contract on a primary residence.

3. Reserve your assistance

Once you're under contract, your lender will submit the required documentation to reserve your funds through Florida Housing.

4. Close on your loan

The down payment assistance will be applied at closing as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment. 

🕐 IMPORTANT: Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting the process early is the best way to secure your assistance before the program runs out.

🎖️ Your service automatically makes you eligible for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, as long as you meet a few key criteria. In fact, military buyers receive expanded access compared to civilian applicants.

Here’s how it works:

1. No first-time homebuyer requirement

Veterans and active-duty military do not need to be first-time buyers. Even if you’ve owned a home recently, you’re still eligible.

2. No Florida-based employment requirement

Military buyers are exempt from the full-time Florida-based employer rule that applies to civilian applicants.

3. Standard credit, DTI, and income limits still apply

You must still meet the program’s minimum 640 credit score, a debt-to-income ratio of 50% or less, and fall within the county income limits for the area you're purchasing in.

4. VA loans are fully compatible

The program works seamlessly with VA loans, which may allow 100% financing and no PMI for qualified eligible veterans. 

🎖️ We’re proud to help Veterans and active-duty service members take full advantage of this powerful program and become homeowners across the state of Florida.