Assistance program · Florida
Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Florida Housing down payment assistance for people who work full time in Florida in certain fields (health care, schools, emergency services, child care) and for military members and veterans
At a glance
- Most it gives, per the source
- Up to 5% of the loan, capped at $35,000
- What its page says; your amount depends on the price and the loan.
- Kind of help
- Deferred
- Second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance
- First-time buyer?
- Yes
- First-time buyers only
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
- Against the program's official page.
Type of help
What it is
- Second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance
What it gives
Up to 5% of the loan, capped at $35,000
Source text
Borrowers can receive up to 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount (maximum of $35,000/minimum of $10,000) in funds towards down payment and closing cost assistance. … Down payment and closing cost assistance is available in the form of a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. 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 his/her primary residence. The Florida Hometown Heroes loan is not forgivable. A summary of what the program publishes; not a loan offer or advice. Amounts, limits and funding change without notice.
At a glance
Who qualifies
Each answer comes from the program's page. "Not stated — ask" means its page doesn't make it clear: ask before you apply.
Source text
This program provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers so they can purchase a primary residence in the community in which they work and serve. … Eligible Borrowers who meet the occupational requirements, work full time, and are currently employed by a Florida-based employer can receive competitive market interest rates on an FHA, VA, RD, and Conventional first mortgage, reduced upfront fees, no origination points or discount points and down payment and closing cost assistance. … HTH 2026 Program shall be limited to the following borrowers … A person employed full-time by a Florida-based employer as a health care worker, school staff member, first responder, public safety or court employee, or child care worker; … A servicemember of the United States military or military reserves, the United States Coast Guard or its reserves, or the Florida National Guard; or … A veteran employed full-time by a Florida-based employer. - First-time buyers only Yes
- Homebuyer course required Not stated — ask
- Minimum credit score Not stated — ask
- Income limit Per the program table (by county and household size)
- Price limit Per the program table
- Mortgages it works with FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- Immigration requirement Legal residence in the U.S., per the source
- Accepts ITIN? Not stated — ask
- Spanish materials Yes
- Program status The source does not say whether it is open — ask
- Where it applies All of Florida
What its page says about being open
Its page does not say whether the program is open or has funds. Ask the lender or the agency before counting on it. Read on the official page on November 5, 2026.
Your area in numbers
What buying costs in Florida
The program covers all of Florida. The first column is Florida's figure; the second runs from the lowest to the highest among its counties. Limits change by county: check yours.
The program sets its maximum price in a table. Compare it with the typical home value in Florida: $359,000.
The typical home value ($359,000) fits within Florida's FHA limit ($541,287).
The program sets its income limit in its own table. For reference, HUD's low-income limit for 4 people in Florida is $79,300.
| Figure | Florida | Lowest to highest | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $359,000 | $110,200 (Holmes County) to $780,600 (Monroe County) | U.S. Census Bureau |
| FHA limit (one-unit home) | $541,287 | $541,287 (Alachua County) to $990,150 (Monroe County) | HUD |
| Conforming limit (one-unit home) | $832,750 | $832,750 (Alachua County) to $990,150 (Monroe County) | FHFA |
| HUD low income (80%), household of 4 | $79,300 | $62,600 (DeSoto County) to $114,650 (Monroe County) | HUD |
Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024) · FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data) · Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data) · Income Limits (HUD) (Fiscal year 2026)
Step by step
How to use it, step by step
Each step comes from what the program's page says. What its page leaves out is further down, in the questions.
Find a participating lender-
Ask first whether it is open
Its page does not say whether it is open or still has funds. That is the first thing to ask.
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Confirm you count as a first-time buyer
The program requires it. Read on its page how it defines "first-time buyer" and whether there are exceptions.
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Find your county in the income table
The limit changes with the county and the number of people in your household. Count the income of everyone the program asks you to add.
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Check your county's maximum price
The program sets a maximum price per county in its table.
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Pick a mortgage it works with
According to its page, the help is used together with a FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional loan. Each loan type has its own requirements.
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Find a participating lender: state programs do not take applications directly; the lender reserves the assistance while processing your mortgage.
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Compare the total cost before you sign
Ask about the total cost. The mortgage with assistance may carry a higher rate than without it, and some programs charge for the course or a fee.
Before you call
What to ask
Its page leaves 4 points unclear. Write them down for when you talk to Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
What its page does not say
- Is it open now, and does it still have funds?
- Do you require a homebuyer course? Which ones do you accept, and what do they cost?
- What minimum credit score do you require?
- Do you accept an ITIN?
Worth asking for this kind of help
- When is the second loan repaid: when I sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage?
Against the others
How it compares with Florida's other programs
The 5 programs we checked in Florida, with the same fields from their official pages. "Doesn't say" means its page does not make it clear.
It is one of 5 programs in Florida, out of 5, that require being a first-time buyer. It is one of 4 out of 5 that publish an amount with the figure in their own wording. 2 more programs in the state give "deferred" help: Florida Assist (FL Assist) and Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program. It covers the whole state; one program on the list is only for a city or a county.
Swipe the table to see every column.
| Program | Kind of help | Published amount | First-time buyers only | Course required | Accepts ITIN | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Programthis program | Deferred | Up to 5% of the loan, capped at $35,000 | Yes | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) | Deferred | Up to $10,000 | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage | Repayable | $12,500 | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS Second Mortgage | Forgivable | Not published | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred | Up to $35,000 | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Miami-Dade County |
Sources
How we checked this program
We read the program's official pages on November 5, 2026 and copied their text as it appears on them. We add no amounts or requirements those pages do not state, and a program is listed as open or closed only when its page says so.
We check every program again. If more than 180 days pass without a check, the page says so.
Get free help applying
A HUD-approved housing counselor explains the program's requirements, goes over your numbers and tells you what to ask the lender. They do not sell loans.
Find a counselor (HUD)Read before you apply
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Help and programs
Down payment assistance: how it works
What down payment assistance is, the types that exist (grant, forgivable or deferred second loan, tax credit), who qualifies and where to find it.
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Mortgage loans
FHA loan: down payment, insurance, limits and who qualifies
How an FHA loan works: the down payment and credit score HUD requires, MIP mortgage insurance, your county limit, the home and the residency rules.
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Mortgage loans
VA home loans: who qualifies, the COE and what it costs
How a VA home loan works: who qualifies, getting your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), the funding fee and the rule that you must live in the home.
Your county
Price and income limits depend on the county. Your county page has the typical value, the FHA limit and the counseling agencies that can walk you through the application.