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An authorized participating lender proudly helping Florida’s heroes become homeowners.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) »
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Florida’s most popular down payment assistance program is back, but not for long.
If you're a first-time homebuyer, Veteran, or full-time front-line Florida worker, you may qualify for up to $35,000 towards your down payment and closing costs.
Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait.
Join the thousands of Florida heroes who’ve already made the leap to homeownership.
Instant results.
Zero pressure.
No credit pull.
🚀 Take the Hero Check Now »
👁️ See the full path to homeownership with the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, step by step.
From pre-approval to closing day, this is the easiest way to follow the Hometown Heroes journey.
Tap to view the process 👁️
The 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program is a state-run housing initiative designed to help essential full-time workers in specific occupations—along with active-duty military members and veterans—purchase a home in the Florida communities they serve.
Qualified applicants can receive up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance through a 0% interest, non-amortizing second mortgage with no monthly payments.
This second mortgage is repaid only when the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.
The program also offers competitive first mortgage interest rates and is only available through approved participating lenders authorized by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Unlike previous years, the 2025 program is limited to a narrow list of eligible occupations, and only $50 million in total assistance funds have been allocated.
Funds cannot be reserved until:
📌 Funds will not be available on July 1, 2025. The program will launch only after the Governor approves the state budget and Florida Housing finalizes program guidance and eligible job classifications.
Because funds are extremely limited, it’s critical to get qualified early and be ready when the program opens.
To qualify for the 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program, applicants must meet all of the following:
✅ Eligible Occupation
You must be employed full-time (35+ hours/week) by a Florida-based employer in one of the following roles:
🛑 If your job does not fall under one of these categories, you will not be eligible, even if you met program criteria in previous years.
💰 County Income Limits
Your total household income must be at or below your county’s income limit, based on household size.
This requirement applies to all applicants, including servicemembers and veterans.
✅ Loan Qualification
You must qualify for a first mortgage loan (FHA, VA, or Conventional) and meet minimum standards:
📅 Important Timing Note
Funds will not be available on July 1, 2025 as in past years. The program will launch only after:
Hometown Heroes Assistance Facts:
The down payment assistance provided through the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is a 0% interest, 30-year deferred second mortgage. There is no monthly payment required during the life of the loan.
The original principle balance of this assistance loan must be repaid in full when any of the following occurs:
At no time is this loan forgiven.
💰 Down Payment Assistance Amount
The assistance is based on 5% of the total new loan amount, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000.
Yes. The down payment assistance provided through the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is not a grant and is not forgivable.
The assistance is structured as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage. There are no monthly payments, but the full amount must be repaid in one lump sum when:
Even if you live in the home for the full 30 years, the loan must still be repaid when the term is complete.
The Florida Hometown Heroes Program can be used with the following primary loan types:
The program is only available for primary residence purchases and cannot be used for second homes or investment properties. You must meet all guidelines for your selected loan type, including credit score, income, and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio requirements.
👉 Assistance must be paired with a first mortgage originated by a participating lender approved by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
If you're unsure which loan type fits your situation best, we can help you explore your options.
Yes. To qualify for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, you must meet both credit and income requirements.
Minimum Credit Score:
A minimum FICO score of 640 is required for all loan types. A minimum FICO score of 660 is required for manufactured and mobile housing.
Income Limits:
Your total household income must be at or below the maximum income limit for your county, based on household size. These limits vary across Florida and are updated annually by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
To check your local income limit, visit the 📊 Income Limits page.
In most cases, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is only available to first-time homebuyers. This means you must not have owned a home in the past three years. However, there are two important exceptions:
If you’re not sure whether you meet the first-time buyer definition, our team can help you review your eligibility and explore your options.
There’s no hidden catch, but there are a few important guidelines to understand before using the Florida Hometown Heroes Program:
You don’t apply directly through Florida Housing. Instead, you must work with a participating lender who is approved to offer the Florida Hometown Heroes Program.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Complete a pre-approval with a participating lender
This confirms your eligibility and loan options based on credit, income, and other program guidelines.
2. Get under contract on a home
The Florida Hometown Heroes assistance can only be reserved after you're pre-approved and under contract on a primary residence.
3. Reserve your assistance
Once you're under contract, your lender will submit the required documentation to reserve your funds through Florida Housing.
4. Close on your loan
The down payment assistance will be applied at closing as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment.
🕐 IMPORTANT: Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting the process early is the best way to secure your assistance before the program runs out.
🎖️ The 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program proudly includes active-duty military, Guard/reserve members, Coast Guard, and veterans—but the rules have changed this year, so it’s important to understand the new structure.
Here’s how it works:
✅ No first-time homebuyer requirement
Veterans and active-duty military do not need to be first-time buyers. Even if you’ve owned a home recently, you may still qualify.
⚠️ Employment requirement varies
💳 Standard loan guidelines apply
You must still meet the program’s financial requirements, including:
🏡 Works with VA loans
The program pairs seamlessly with VA loans, allowing eligible military buyers to finance up to 100% of the purchase price with no PMI. The Hometown Heroes assistance covering the closing costs.
🎖️ We’re proud to help Veterans and active-duty servicemembers access this powerful benefit and achieve homeownership in the state of Florida.
Tools, calculators, and income charts, all in one place.
Free for Florida homebuyers using the Hometown Heroes Program.
DEREK BISSEN
NMLS# 365627
MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR
FLORIDA HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM EXPERT
MEET YOUR LOAN ORIGINATOR
A Tampa native, Derek has been banking and financing for over 25 years. Derek's expertise and depth of knowledge in the mortgage and financial services industry is unparalleled. He is a creative loan structurer and specializes in working with homebuyers of all experience levels.
He is also professional saxophonist, marketing specialist, videographer, visual artist, Star Trek/ Sci-Fi fan, comic book collector and sports car enthusiast.
If you're looking for a reliable and trustworthy mortgage expert, contact Derek today to learn more about how he can help you achieve your financial goals.
OTHER LINKS:
FLORIDA BUSINESS OWNERS & HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALISTS: Employee homeownership lowers attrition and boosts employee pride in their communities and workplace. Book a seminar today with your staff, and let us show your employees how to become a homeowner with little or no money down.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS IN FLORIDA: Increase your pool of eligible buyers by offering them the ability to close with little or no money down
REALTORS – Start selling more homes today! We host lunch and learn seminars to help you understand this powerful program!
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HOMETOWN HEROES BULLETIN
There is no cost or obligation to join the Official Hometown Heroes Bulletin. Opt-Out at any time. This is not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Lender.
This is not a commitment to lend. Not all borrowers will qualify for the loan programs listed. All program terms and conditions are subject to change and may be discontinued without prior notice. Contact loan originator for program questions and scenarios.