Florida Hometown Heroes Program (Down Payment Assistance)
Florida Hometown Heroes Program: Down Payment Assistance for Homebuyers
For many Florida homebuyers, saving for a down payment is the biggest obstacle. The Florida Hometown Heroes Program was created to help frontline and essential workers achieve homeownership with financial assistance.
If you qualify, you may receive thousands of dollars toward your down payment and closing costs.
What Is the Hometown Heroes Program?
The Florida Hometown Heroes program provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible workers purchasing a primary residence in Florida. This is for first time home buyers (read on to see if you qualify) in specific jobs in Florida under a specific income bracket.
This assistance is structured as a silent second mortgage with 0% interest! What makes it "silent"? Silent means there is no monthly payment for this portion from the State program, however it is not a grant; it does get repaid eventually.
Who Qualifies?
Eligibility generally includes:
full-time employment with a Florida-based employer (see professions below)
income cap below program limits (county dependent from $142,950-$195,450) as of 2025-2026 term
minimum credit score requirement of 640 for all borrowers
primary residence purchase
Eligible professions include:
healthcare workers
teachers
first responders
specific government employees
military (active and veterans) with no first home buyer requirement
How Much Assistance Is Available?
Buyers receive assistance of 5% of the loan amount, up to a maximum of $35,000. Let's look at a purchase price of $450,000 with 3% down. $450,000-$13,500= $436,500. 5% of this loan amount = $21,825 from Hometown Heroes! This portion has no monthly payment requirement, however, it is to be paid back if/when you sell your home, refinance the loan, or turn this property into an investment home (move out and rent it out to another household).
Funds can be used for:
down payment
closing costs
prepaid expenses
The minimum down payment on a conventional loan as a first time homebuyer is 3% down of the purchase price. FHA requires 3.5% down. Hometown Heroes program can cover that and most if not all of the closing costs!
There are a few out of pocket, up front expenses to be prepared for. Your "earnest deposit money" to secure your contract with the seller, once your offer is accepted, is non-refundable (unless it is a gift, then it is allowed to be refunded to the gift giver). This is typically $1000-$5000 and often is 1% of your contract price. The cost of home inspections and the appraisal are also out of pocket, which you should be prepared for at the total cost of around $700 for home inspections and estimated $600 for an appraisal.
Loan Types Available with the Program
The program can typically be paired with:
FHA loans
Conventional loans
VA loans
USDA loans
Key Benefits
reduced upfront cash needed
easier path to homeownership
competitive interest rates
available statewide in Florida through approved lenders
lower closing costs as there is no intangible taxes or transfer taxes, saving you thousands
Things to Consider
program funds can run out (yes… it’s a “don’t wait too long” situation)
income limits apply
must meet loan approval guidelines
property must be your primary residence
Steps to Apply
Confirm eligibility as far as your occupation (or VA eligibility with your Certificate of Eligibility- I can help with this) and 640 credit score
Get pre-approved with a participating lender, like me!
Must be in contract in order to reserve program funds for you
Complete home purchase process, typically 30 days from the day you go into contract until the day you sign/close and own your home
Next Steps
If you’re a Florida hero wondering whether you qualify for Hometown Heroes, I can help you review your eligibility and walk you through the process step-by-step. Kristi can share an extensive list of all professions when you connect.
Let’s see how much assistance may be available to you. Call Kristi at 407-590-4682.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if between my spouse and I, we earn too much/exceed the income threshold?
There are two programs inside of the Hometown Heroes, The Bond and The Bond Alternative (TBA). The Bond Alternative (TBA) allows a few things different from the bond, including using only one party's income. If you can qualify without your spouse's income, this program allows us to use only your qualifying income, not the entire household's income. So there's a chance!
What If I don't work full time in my qualifying profession?
Unfortunately, this program does require full time hours to qualify.
What if I qualify with income and profession, but my credit score is too low?
Don't fret! Kristi is a Certified Credit Counselor which makes her a specialist in helping you to improve your credit score in a legitimate, efficient manner. She has helped dozens and dozens of people improve their credit score in a flash to qualify!
What is the interest rate for the Hometown Heroes program?
The interest rate can change daily, as can all interest rates on mortgages, until it is locked in (after you go into contract). It is set by the State program and is often slightly lower than standard rates from lenders for the same loan type (conventional, FHA, VA, etc). The portion of the program that is the down payment assistance is at 0% interest rate.
How do I apply?
From right here on the website, yourloansuperhero.com, you can schedule a time with Kristi for a 30-minute consultation and then applying is easy! Either a quick 15 minute conversation collecting your details or an online loan application.
