MENU

CALL TODAY:

TAP TO CALL TODAY:

youtube-color-circle

(813) 212-8293

📢 PROGRAM UPDATE: 06/18/2025

Florida has officially approved $50 million for the 2025 Hometown Heroes Program! No launch date or program details have been released yet.

Subscribe to the Hometown Heroes Bulletin
to be the first to know when updates go live.

Florida approves $100M for the 2025 Hometown Heroes Program.No launch date yet.
Join the Bulletin for instant updates.

Your Trusted Lender for the
Florida Hometown Heroes Program

An authorized participating lender proudly helping Florida’s heroes become homeowners.

$0 FUNDS AVAILABLE.

The Florida Hometown Heroes Fund is currently depleted.

SIGN UP BELOW TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN FUNDS ARE REPLENISHED.

Additional funds coming soon in 2024.

FLORIDA
HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM
2025

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.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

TAKE THE

HERO CHECK

Instant results.

Zero pressure.

No credit pull.

🚀 Take the Hero Check Now »

HOW DOES THE HOMETOWN HEROES PROCESS WORK?

👁️ 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 👁️

See the process Toggle Arrow Icon
Hometown Heroes Infographic - Desktop
See the process Toggle Arrow Icon
Hometown Heroes Infographic - Mobile

How does the 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program work?

Expand
Collapse

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:

  1. You are pre-approved for a loan
  2. You are under contract on a home
  3. And the program has officially launched

📌 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.

Who qualifies for the 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program?

Expand
Collapse

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:

  • Healthcare worker
  • School staff member
  • First responder
  • Public safety employee
  • Court employee
  • Childcare worker
  • Active-duty military or military reserves
  • U.S. Coast Guard or Coast Guard reserves
  • Florida National Guard
  • Veteran employed full-time by a Florida-based employer

🛑 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:

  • Minimum 640 credit score
  • Maximum 50% debt-to-income ratio

📅 Important Timing Note

Funds will not be available on July 1, 2025 as in past years. The program will launch only after:

  • The Governor approves the state budgetFlorida Housing finalizes the official list of eligible occupations
  • Lenders receive updated program guidelines and training

How does the Hometown Heroes Assistance work?

Expand
Collapse

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:

  1. The home is sold.
  2. The first mortgage is refinanced.
  3. The borrower moves to another property.
  4. The loan reaches maturity.

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.

Do I have to pay the assistance back with Hometown Heroes?

Expand
Collapse

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:

  1. You sell the home.
  2. You refinance your first mortgage.
  3. You move out of the property.
  4. The 30-year term of the second mortgage ends


Even if you live in the home for the full 30 years, the loan must still be repaid when the term is complete.

What types of loans can I use this with Hometown Heroes Program?

Expand
Collapse

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program can be used with the following primary loan types:

  • FHA (Federal Housing Administration)
  • VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
  • Conventional (Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac)
  • USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development)

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.

Is there a minimum credit score or income limit with the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?

Expand
Collapse

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.

Can I use Hometown Heroes if I’ve owned a home before?

Expand
Collapse

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:

  1. Veterans and active-duty service members are exempt from the first-time homebuyer requirement and can use the program even if they’ve owned a home recently.
  2. Some buyers may qualify again after a three-year waiting period from the date they last owned a home.

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.

What’s the catch with the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?

Expand
Collapse

There’s no hidden catch, but there are a few important guidelines to understand before using the Florida Hometown Heroes Program:

  • The assistance is not a grant. It is a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment, that must be repaid in full when you sell, refinance, move out, or reach the end of the 30-year term.
  • You must meet all loan program requirements, including a minimum 640 credit score, a debt-to-income ratio of 50% or less, and county-specific income limits.
  • The program is available only through participating lenders approved by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
  • New for 2025: The program is now limited to a much narrower list of occupations, including only full-time Florida-based employees in healthcare, education, emergency response, childcare, courts, public safety, and military service.

    Only $50 million in assistance funds are available statewide, and they cannot be reserved until you’re both pre-approved and under contract.
  • 💡 Unlike most assistance programs, Hometown Heroes features higher income limits in every Florida county, making it one of the few programs that still works with today’s home prices in the Sunshine State. 🌴

How do I apply for the Hometown Heroes Program?

Expand
Collapse

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.

How does the Florida Hometown Heroes Program work for Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members? 🎖️

Expand
Collapse

🎖️ 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

  • Active-duty servicemembers, Guard/reserve, and Coast Guard are automatically eligible, regardless of civilian employment.
  • Veterans, however, must now be employed full-time by a Florida-based employer to qualify.

💳 Standard loan guidelines apply

You must still meet the program’s financial requirements, including:

  • Minimum 640 credit score
  • Debt-to-income ratio of 50% or less
  • County-specific income limits

🏡 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.

The HERO VAULT

Tools, calculators, and income charts, all in one place.

Free for Florida homebuyers using the Hometown Heroes Program.

This kind of resource is why more buyers and their Realtors are choosing us as Florida’s go-to lender for Hometown Heroes.

ADDITIONAL HERO RESOURCES:

TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

START YOUR HOME LOAN PRE-APPROVAL TODAY »

CALL TODAY:
(813) 212-8293

Green Telephone Icon

HAVE A QUESTION? MESSAGE US TODAY  »

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!

🚨 SIGN UP FOR THE OFFICIAL

HOMETOWN HEROES BULLETIN

  • ⏲️  BE THE FIRST TO KNOW THE RELEASE DATE FOR THE 2025 FLORIDA HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM. GET A HEAD-START ON YOUR COMPETITION!
  • ✅ GET INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PREPARE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO BUY YOUR FIRST HOME USING THIS PROGRAM.
  • 👍 GET TIPS ON HOW TO GET YOUR CREDIT & DOCUMENTS TOGETHER BEFORE THE PROGRAM IS LAUNCHED.
  • 👍 MUCH, MUCH MORE!

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.