2025 Hometown Heroes Program Helps Qualified First-Time Homebuyers
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to saving for a down payment and closing costs. That’s where Florida’s Hometown Heroes Program comes in. This special program was designed to help full-time workers in Florida – like veterans, first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers, among others, afford their first home. If you work full-time for a Florida-based employer, you could qualify for up to $35,000 in assistance toward your down payment and closing costs. This help comes in the form of a second loan with 0% interest, and you won’t have to pay it back until you sell, refinance, or move out of the home.
Originally launched in 2022 to support frontline workers, the Hometown Heroes Program was expanded in 2023 as part of Florida’s Live Local Act. Now, it includes a wide range of full-time workers from healthcare workers, school staff members, court employees, childcare workers, military/reserve/National Guard members, or veterans employed by a Florida business. To qualify, you must be a first-time homebuyer (which usually means you haven’t owned a home in the past three years), have a credit score of at least 640, and your household income must fall below a certain limit based on where you live (generally less than 150% of your area's median income). Click here to download a PDF that provides specific income and loan limits for each Florida county.
The program works with most major types of home loans, including FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans. In some cases, it can also help you buy a manufactured home. Keep in mind, the financial help you receive is in the form of a deferred second mortgage, which means it doesn’t add monthly payments to your mortgage right away. You’ll only need to repay it if you sell your home, refinance your mortgage, transfer ownership, or stop living in the home as your primary residence.
Since it began, the Hometown Heroes Program has helped thousands of Floridians achieve their dream of homeownership. In fact, it’s been so popular that funds for the program sometimes run out quickly. Florida lawmakers have continued to invest in the program, recognizing how important it is to keep essential workers living and thriving in the communities they serve. If you’re considering buying your first home, this program could be the boost that makes it possible to turn your dream into a reality.
Give us a call today (352-897-5083, ext. 230) or email us info@titlegiantinc.com so we can connect you with one of our network of preferred lenders who can provide more information.
