The Florida Hometown Heroes program is a state-sponsored down payment assistance program for any income-eligible first-time buyers in Florida. This program is designed to help qualified first-time homebuyers purchase their dream home with no down payment or closing costs expense.
The Florida Hometown Heroes program combines a deferred 0% interest second mortgage loan with up to 5% of the loan amount ($35,000 max) in assistance for down payment and closing costs. There will also be a minimum grant amount of $10,000 for buyers purchasing a home less than $200,000
This second mortgage becomes due 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 mortgage is not forgivable. The program can be used together with any Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA mortgage.
Hometown Heroes Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for the Hometown Heroes Program, borrowers must meet the following requirements:
- Be a first-time homeowner – no homeownership in the previous three years.
- Credit score minimum of 640 for all applicants.
- The income of all applicants must be below the set income limit per county. *See the most income limits below for the most popular locations.
- Must purchase a primary residence in the state of Florida – no investment or second home purchase permitted.
- Must be employed by a Florida-based employer and work 35 hours per week. *Active military and veterans are exempt from this requirement.
- Applicants must take an approved HUD homebuyer education course. *Military veterans are exempt from this if using a VA loan.
The household must earn LESS than 150% of the area’s median income. The income limits apply to gross income and start at $132,900 and go up to $178,950 in more high-cost locations. Listed below are the most recent income limits for July 2024, the current income caps should remain the same for most of 2025.
- Tallahassee: Leon County = $133,050
- Jacksonville: Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau County = $145,950
- Miami: Dade County = $170,250
- Tampa: Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco County = $143,250
- Orlando: Orange, Osceola, and Seminole County = $144,750
- Daytona Beach: Volusia County = $132,900
- Fort Lauderdale: Broward County = $158,400
- Pensacola: Escambia County= $134,850
- Gainesville: Alachua County = $142,950
- Ocala: Marion County = $132,900
- Fort Myers-Cape Coral: Lee County = $140,400
- West Palm Beach: Palm Beach County = $160,650
- Sarasota: Sarasota County = $150,750
- Naples: Collier County = $156,450
- Key West: Monroe County = $178,950
Hometown Heroes Program FAQ’s
Each day we receive many questions about the Hometown Heroes Program, please find the list of frequently asked questions below. Please connect with us with any questions, or to start your application today.
Question: Who is eligible for the Hometown Heroes Program?
Answer: Any income-eligible first-time home buyer in Florida who meets the requirements above is eligible to apply. This is a new recent change as the program used to require applicants to be front-line workers like Police, Firefighters, Military, etc. As of 2024, the program is open to all buyers who meet the requirements, regardless of occupation. Note, that buyers must still meet all the program guidelines for their selected primary mortgage – Conventional, FHA, VA, etc.
Question: Does the Hometown Heroes grant need to be repaid? If so, when?
Answer: Yes. Although there is no monthly payment and 0% interest, the down payment assistance must always be paid in full when the home is sold, or refinanced. The loan is not forgiven
Question: Is there a minimum credit score to apply?
Answer: Yes. All applicants must have a minimum 640 credit score.
Question: What is the maximum amount of Hometown Heroes assistance I can receive?
Answer: Borrowers can receive down payment assistance equal to 5% of the new mortgage loan amount. The maximum assistance you can receive ranges from $10,000 – $35,000 depending on the size of your primary loan.
Question: Is the Hometown Heroes funding limited each year by the state?
Answer: Yes. the state appropriates only so much funding each year, and funding can temporarily pause or run out throughout the year.
Question: Is there a minimum credit score to apply?
Answer: Yes. all applicants must have a minimum 640 credit score.
Question: Is there any up-front cost to apply and do an application?
Answer: NO. There is never any cost to apply for this or any other down payment assistance program. The DPA funds are provided through the state-run Florida Housing Finance Corporation. To access the funds, applicants must apply with an authorized participating mortgage lender. Note, that the lender could require an up-front credit report charge when you apply for your primary first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA)
Question: My employer has to be based in Florida?
Answer: Yes. The business must be a Florida corporation or have a brick & mortar location in the state. The program is available to any First-time homebuyer working Full-time (35 hours a week or more) for a Florida Business. Veterans of the US Armed Services are exempt from the first-time homebuyer and employment requirements.
Question: Where can I find the income limits for the Hometown Heroes program?
Answer: Please find the link above for the list of 2024 & 2025 income limits.
Want to learn how to apply? Please call above, or just submit the Quick Call Form on this page for expedited response.