The Hometown Heroes program offers down payment and closing cost assistance for income-eligible buyers looking to buy their first home in the Florida communities where they work or serve. The program was implemented by Governor Ron DeSantis to help Florida workers afford the cost of buying a home.
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program offers down payment assistance opportunities to eligible full-time buyers working for any Florida-based company in an eligible occupation. The program offers to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount (max $35,000) for buyers’ down payment and closing cost assistance. $10,000 grant minimum for loans of $200,000 or less.
*Don’t meet the requirements for Hometown Heroes? Contact below to learn about other 100% down payment assistance programs in Florida.
Down payment and closing cost assistance are available in the form of an interest-free, non-amortizing deferred second loan. This second mortgage becomes due and payable, in full, upon sale of the property, refinancing of the first mortgage, transfer of deed, or if the homeowner no longer occupies the property as their primary residence. The Florida Hometown Heroes down payment assistance loan is NOT forgivable.
The program is backed by the Florida Housing Finance Corp (FHFC) and offered through approved lenders and banks when funding is available from the state.
Hometown Heroes Program Guidelines:
- The program is only for First Time Homeowners. To be classified as a first-time home buyer, you must not have owned a home in the previous three years. If you are active military or Veteran, the first-time home buyer qualification is waived.
- Can be used together with any 30 yr or 15 yr fixed FHA, Conventional, VA, or USDA loan.
- Closings in as little as three weeks.
- Lower than market rates on a variety of home loans.
- Seller concessions for closing costs and pre-paids aren’t needed.
- Must be employed by a Florida-based employer and working in an approved occupation to qualify.
- Must work at least 35 hours per week (military exempt)
- The property must be your new primary residence (no investor homes or vacation homes)
- The current income limit for the Hometown Heroes program is 150% of the area median income or AMI for your county. Please find the list of income limits for the most popular locations below.
- The credit score minimum is 640
- Home buyer education is required with the program. We will assist you on how to complete this requirement, it’s quick and simple!
Hometown Heroes Income Limits 2026:
The household must earn LESS than 150% of the area’s median income. The Hometown Heroes gross income limits in Florida start at $148,050 and go up to $214,950 in more expensive locations like the Florida Keys. Please find the most recent Hometown Heroes income limits for the most popular markets throughout Florida. These income limits will remain the same throughout 2026 and likely into 2027.
- Jacksonville: Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau County = $163,050
- Orlando: Orange, Osceola, and Seminole County = $172,350
- Tampa: Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco County = $172,050
- Manatee County: $171,150
- Tallahassee: Leon County = $149,250
- Pensacola: Escambia County= $148,050
- Gainesville: Alachua County = $156,000
- Ocala: Marion County = $148,050
- Daytona Beach: Volusia County = $148,650
- Sarasota: Sarasota County = $171,150
- Naples: Collier County = $181,500
- Fort Myers-Cape Coral: Lee County = $168,600
- Key West / Key Largo: Monroe County = $214,950
- Miami: Miami-Dade County = $204,300
- West Palm Beach: Palm Beach County = $192,750
- Fort Lauderdale: Broward County = $190,200
*Most of the smaller/rural counties not listed above will be capped to $148,050.
Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is expected to receive an additional $50 million in funding, with funds to start on July 13, 2026. The funding for the HTH program is limited each year and comes and goes quickly.
Have questions about applying? Buyers can call the number above, or submit the Request Contact Form below to connect with a loan specialist today.
Timothy Miller is a mortgage author and content creator who brings more than two decades of industry experience to his writing. Since entering the mortgage business in 2002, Tim has held a wide range of positions, before ultimately advancing to VP of a large mortgage lender. His background also includes experience in wholesale lending and mortgage risk analysis. Today, Tim draws on that diverse industry background to research and create clear, informative mortgage content for homebuyers, and real estate investors. His firsthand understanding of mortgage lending, loan guidelines, risk management, and the origination process allows him to explain complex financing topics in a practical and easy-to-understand way.