Up to $35,000 Down Payment Assistance: Florida Hometown Heroes
Up to $35,000 Down Payment Assistance: Florida Hometown Heroes
Florida's Hometown Heroes program is one of the most generous down payment assistance programs in the country — up to $35,000, 0% interest, no monthly payments. But it's still a loan, not free money, and the details matter more than most headlines let on. Here's the full breakdown.
2026 funding update: The 2026 program round opens Monday, July 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST with $50 million in funding, reserved first-come, first-served through participating lenders. Getting your eligibility verified before launch day puts you at the front of the line.
How the Assistance Actually Works
You receive 5% of your first mortgage loan amount — with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000 — to use toward your down payment and closing costs. Because of the $10,000 minimum, loans of $200,000 or less automatically receive the full $10,000, which is more than 5%.
This is a loan, not a grant. It's structured as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments and a 30-year term. You don't pay it back month to month — but the full amount comes due when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed, pay off your first mortgage, or stop living in the home as your primary residence.
Who Qualifies
- Occupation: Healthcare workers, K-12 school staff, first responders, law enforcement, correctional officers, childcare and court workers, active duty military, and veterans — over 50 eligible categories in total
- Employment: Full-time (35+ hours/week) with a Florida-based employer at a physical, brick-and-mortar location. Fully remote employees do not qualify; hybrid employees qualify only if on-site at least 3 days per week
- First-time buyer status: No ownership interest in a primary residence within the past 3 years — waived for veterans and for buyers purchasing in a federally designated targeted area
- Credit score: 640 minimum (660 for manufactured homes)
- Education: A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required — waived for veterans using a VA loan
- Occupancy: Must occupy the home as your primary residence within 60 days of closing
Income Limits Vary by County and Program Version
Hometown Heroes comes in two versions that measure income differently — picking the right one can be the difference between qualifying and not:
- TBA (borrower income): Counts only the income of the people on the loan. Limits are higher — for example, around $204,300 in Miami-Dade.
- Bond (household income): Counts everyone in the home age 18 or older, including a spouse not on the loan. Limits are lower, but this version also unlocks Fannie Mae (HFA Preferred) conventional loans, new for 2026.
| County | Approx. Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | ~$185,850 |
| Palm Beach | ~$175,650 |
| Broward | ~$172,950 |
| Tampa Bay (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco) | ~$156,450 |
| Jacksonville (Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau) | ~$153,750 |
Figures are approximate and change periodically — your lender confirms the exact current limit for your county before locking.
Can You Stack This With Other Programs?
Mostly, no. Hometown Heroes is the only second mortgage allowed alongside its first mortgage, and it generally can't be combined with other Florida Housing assistance programs. Stacking with a separate city or county program (like a local first-time buyer grant) is possible only as an exception, in third lien position — not something to count on as your primary plan. Check with a Hometown Heroes-approved lender about what's realistic in your specific county before assuming you can combine programs.
The Catch
Funding is limited and moves fast — often within weeks, not months, once a round opens. The biggest mistake isn't picking the wrong program; it's waiting too long to get pre-approved once funding opens for the year.
How to Start
- Check the current funding status at FloridaHousing.org and sign up for funding-round notifications
- Get pre-approved with a Hometown Heroes-approved lender before the round opens — approved buyers can submit within hours instead of weeks once funds become available
- Complete your HUD-approved homebuyer education course (unless exempt as a veteran with a VA loan)
- If you're a veteran, ask your lender how this stacks with your VA loan benefits
Program funding, income limits, and terms change periodically. Always verify current availability and figures with a Florida Housing-approved lender before making a financial decision.
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