Florida Hometown Heroes Program — Up to $35,000 in Down Payment Assistance
Down payment and closing cost help for Florida's teachers, nurses, first responders, and 50+ frontline jobs. State-backed. Apply free.
There is no cost to apply for Hometown Heroes down payment assistance. The Doce Mortgage Group is a Florida-licensed mortgage brokerage helping you access this state program — we are not a government agency.
Check My Eligibility →
The Florida Hometown Heroes Program — At a Glance
| Maximum assistance | $35,000 (5% of total loan amount) |
| Minimum assistance | $10,000 |
| Interest rate | 0% |
| Monthly payment | $0 (fully deferred) |
| Repayment | Only when you sell, refinance, or move out |
| Minimum credit score | 640 |
| Maximum DTI | 50% |
| First-time buyer required? | Yes (veterans & targeted-area buyers exempt) |
| Eligible loan types | FHA, VA, USDA-RD, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, Freddie Mac HFA Advantage |
| Doc stamp & intangible tax | Exempt - Average savings of $2,200 in closing costs |
| Available in | All 67 Florida counties |
| Program administrator | Florida Housing Finance Corporation |
What is the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
The assistance comes as a 0% interest, 30-year deferred second mortgage equal to 5% of your total first mortgage loan amount, with a $10,000 minimum and $35,000 maximum. You make no monthly payments on it. You only repay it when you sell the home, refinance the first mortgage, transfer the deed, or stop using the home as your primary residence.
The program pairs the assistance with a competitive 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage through FHA, VA, USDA-RD, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage. Borrowers at or below 80% of their area's median income also qualify for reduced-cost mortgage insurance on conventional loans.
The program is funded by the State of Florida and is available on a first-come, first-served basis until annual funding is committed.
Why Florida Hometown Heroes beats every other DPA program in the state
Most down payment programs offer a few thousand dollars and a list of restrictions. Hometown Heroes offers six advantages no other Florida program matches.
Up to $35,000 in assistance
5% of your total loan amount, capped at $35,000 with a $10,000 minimum. Use it for your down payment, closing costs, or both.
0% interest. No monthly payment.
A 30-year deferred second mortgage. You pay nothing on it until you sell, refinance, or move out.
Reduced mortgage insurance
Borrowers at or below 80% of Area Median Income qualify for reduced-cost MI on conventional loans — lowering your monthly payment for the life of the loan.
No upfront 1% origination fee
Hometown Heroes eliminates the 1% origination fee charged on every other Florida Housing program. On a $300,000 loan, that's $3,000 you keep.
Buy almost any property type
Single-family homes, townhomes, condos, 2–4 unit properties, and qualifying manufactured homes — in any of Florida's 67 counties.
Veterans are exempt from first-time buyer rule
If you have a valid DD-214 or active LES, you qualify even if you've owned a home before.
What jobs qualify for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
More than 50 occupations across seven categories qualify. You must work full-time at a brick-and-mortar Florida location. Hybrid workers are eligible. Remote workers are not.
Healthcare Workers
Registered nurses, LPNs, APRNs, CNAs, medical & lab technicians, phlebotomists, physical/occupational/speech therapists, mental health counselors, psychologists, social workers, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, physicians, PAs, medical assistants, and patient care aides at Florida hospitals, clinics, physician's offices, mental health facilities, dental centers, or assisted living facilities.
K–12 School Staff
Teachers, principals, assistant principals, guidance counselors, school psychologists, social workers, librarians, media specialists, teacher aides, cafeteria staff, and maintenance workers at public, private, charter, or magnet schools.
College and university staff do not qualify under this category.First Responders
Firefighters, certified paramedics, and certified EMTs employed by a Florida fire department, ambulance service, or hospital.
Public Safety Workers
Sworn law enforcement officers (local, county, state, federal), correctional officers, juvenile detention officers, probation officers, and 911 dispatchers at Florida law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, or emergency operations centers.
Court Employees
Assistant State Attorneys, Assistant Public Defenders, court clerks, court reporters, and attorneys at Florida courts, court administrators' offices, State Attorney's Offices, or Public Defender's Offices.
Childcare Workers
Any worker at a Florida-licensed child care facility or registered home daycare with a Gold Seal, VPK, Head Start, or School Readiness designation.
Active-Duty Military & Veterans
All active-duty and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces (including the Florida National Guard). Veterans with a valid DD-214 (other than dishonorable discharge) qualify even if they don't work in a listed occupation — any full-time job with a Florida-based employer is enough.
Who qualifies for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
You work full-time at a Florida-based employer.
Your employer must have a physical location in Florida that you work at or report to. Hybrid employees qualify. Fully remote workers do not.
You're a first-time homebuyer.
You haven't owned a primary residence in the last three years. Veterans with a valid DD-214 and buyers in a federally designated targeted census tract are exempt.
You meet your county's income limits.
Income limits vary by county and household size. Examples for 1–2 person households: Miami-Dade $123,900, Broward $122,400, Orange/Osceola/Seminole $105,400, Hillsborough/Pinellas/Pasco $104,300, Duval $108,599. Higher limits apply to 3+ person households and targeted areas.
Your credit score is at least 640.
Minimum FICO 640 across all loan types. Manual underwriting requires 660. Maximum DTI is 50% (43% for manual underwriting).
You complete a homebuyer education course.
One borrower must complete a HUD-approved pre-purchase course before closing. Free and low-cost online options are available through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and eHomeAmerica. Veterans may be exempt depending on the loan product.
Not sure if you check all five boxes? We'll tell you in one phone call — even if the answer is no.
Check My Eligibility →How much down payment assistance does Hometown Heroes provide?
You receive 5% of your total first mortgage loan amount, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. Use it for your down payment, your closing costs, or both.
| Your first mortgage amount | Your assistance |
|---|---|
| $200,000 or less | $10,000 (the minimum) |
| $300,000 | $15,000 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 |
| $700,000 or more | $35,000 (the cap) |
How does the Florida Hometown Heroes Program work?
Check your eligibility
Submit the form below. We'll review your job, income, and credit and tell you on the spot whether Hometown Heroes is the right fit and what county-specific limits apply.
Get pre-approved
We'll guide you through the documents you need and get you pre-approved for both your first mortgage and the Hometown Heroes second mortgage. The Doce Mortgage Group is an approved Florida Housing participating lender.
Find your home and close
Once under contract, we handle loan reservation, homebuyer education, and closing coordination. From reservation to closing runs on a 60-day timeline with one 30-day extension if needed.
Florida Hometown Heroes income and price limits by city
Available in every Florida county. Limits vary by location.
| Metro Area | Max Income (1–2 Person) | Max Purchase Price |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | $123,900 – $148,680 | up to $830,284 |
| Broward / Fort Lauderdale | $122,400 – $138,360 | up to $830,284 |
| Palm Beach | $122,080 – $140,280 | up to $830,284 |
| Orlando / Orange County | $105,400 – $126,480 | up to $665,173 |
| Tampa / Hillsborough | $104,300 – $125,160 | up to $665,173 |
| Jacksonville / Duval | $108,599 – $123,000 | up to $736,896 |
| St. Petersburg / Pinellas | $104,300 – $125,160 | up to $665,173 |
| Monroe / Florida Keys | $156,360 | up to $1,004,062 |
| Collier / Naples | $136,320 | up to $793,937 |
Limits shown for 1–2 person households on the Bond program. Higher limits for 3+ person households. Source: FL Housing HTH Bond Lender Guide, 2025.
Check My Eligibility →Hometown Heroes vs other Florida down payment assistance programs
| Feature | Hometown Heroes | FL Assist | FL HLP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max assistance | $35,000 | $10,000 | $12,500 |
| Min assistance | $10,000 | — | — |
| Interest rate | 0% | 0% | 3% |
| Monthly payment | None | None | $52.70/mo |
| Repayment | Deferred | Deferred | Monthly + balloon |
| Eligibility | 50+ frontline occupations | All FL first-time buyers | All FL first-time buyers |
| Best for | Eligible frontline workers | Buyers not qualifying for HTH | Buyers needing more than FL Assist |
If you work in a qualifying occupation, Hometown Heroes is almost always the better choice — 3x to 4x more assistance, no monthly payment, no interest, and the lowest fees of any Florida Housing program.
Check My Eligibility →You might be closer to homeownership than you think
I have a steady job but no savings.
This is exactly who Hometown Heroes was built for. The program covers your down payment AND your closing costs — so you can get into a home with very little out of pocket.
My rent keeps going up and I can't get ahead.
In most Florida metros, the monthly mortgage payment on a starter home is now lower than comparable rent. Hometown Heroes removes the one thing standing between you and ownership: the cash you need at closing.
I assumed I made too much money to qualify.
You probably don't. A 1–2 person household in Broward, Miami-Dade, or Hillsborough County can earn over $100,000 and still qualify.
I didn't think teachers/nurses/first responders got their own program.
You do now. Florida launched Hometown Heroes in 2022 and expanded it in 2023 to cover even more occupations.
I'm a veteran but I've owned a home before.
You're exempt from the first-time buyer rule. With a valid DD-214, you can use Hometown Heroes even if you owned a home in the last three years.
I tried to buy a year ago and got rejected.
A lot has changed. The 2026 program limits are higher, more occupations are eligible, and credit requirements remain at 640. If you were turned down before, you may qualify today.
The flexibility most lenders don't tell you about
The home needs repairs
Hometown Heroes pairs with the FHA 203(k) Limited rehab loan — finance up to $75,000 in non-structural repairs into your purchase loan.
You need a co-signer
Non-occupying co-signors are allowed (with FHA, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, and Freddie Mac HFA Advantage). They don't need to be a first-time buyer or attend homebuyer education.
You're self-employed or 1099
Self-employed borrowers qualify, as long as your work ties to a qualifying Florida location. You'll need a letter from your CPA confirming full-time status.
Funding is limited. The earlier you reserve, the better.
Florida Housing has already distributed $386 million to 25,000 families. The buyers who reserve early lock in their assistance. The buyers who wait sometimes miss the window entirely.
Check My Eligibility →What happens if I don't qualify?
You get a clear answer, an explanation, and — if there's a path forward — a plan to get there. Maybe you need to clean up your credit for 90 days. Maybe a different Florida Housing program is a better fit. We'll tell you the truth either way.
There's no penalty for asking, no cost to apply, and no obligation if the answer is no.
Check My Eligibility →Real Florida heroes. Real keys in hand.
This is the best lender ever ! Alex and his team are so great ! They are helpful, they respond very quickly, and they recommend the best things to do in order to get your loan approved very fast. They were able to get my loan fully approved in 15 days !! I definitely recommend them.
Communication and customer service at its finest, it was a pleasure to work with Alex and his team. Alex was able to close the deal within a few weeks and made the process of home buying a breeze. His expertise and professionalism stand out from the rest. I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Alex on the closing for my first home. Highly recommend!
This was our family's first step into home ownership and Alex was a great help along the way. He helped us navigate the complex process and I felt like he was on our side from day one. Even more than my real estate agent! He closed so fast nobody could believe it! If I ever need to buy another house I will definitely use Alex and his team again!
Rated 4.98/5 across 700+ verified reviews on Experience.com — and 5.0/5 across hundreds more on WalletHub, Zillow, Google, and Facebook.
Frequently asked questions about the Florida Hometown Heroes Program
Florida Hometown Heroes — Key terms explained
Find out if you qualify in 60 seconds
We'll respond within one business day with a clear answer on your eligibility, your estimated assistance amount, and next steps. No cost, no obligation.
