Florida Hometown Heroes Guide: Who Qualifies, How Much, and How Repayment Works

What Hometown Heroes is

Florida Hometown Heroes is a down payment assistance program from Florida Housing that is designed to help eligible Florida workers buy a home they will live in as their primary residence. It is not a grant and it is not a standalone mortgage. It works alongside a first mortgage, adding a second mortgage that covers part of the cash a buyer would otherwise need at closing. Because the program is run through participating lenders and is subject to reservation rules, the details that matter most are the ones Florida Housing publishes and the ones a participating lender confirms when a loan is reserved.

Who qualifies

Hometown Heroes is aimed at first-time, income-qualified buyers. The employment piece is central to the program. A borrower must be employed full time by a Florida-based employer in one of the eligible categories: health care, school staff, first responder, public safety or court, or child care. Servicemembers and veterans who are employed full time by a Florida-based employer are also included. That employer and occupation test is what separates Hometown Heroes from broader down payment assistance programs. A buyer who fits the job categories but is not employed full time by a Florida-based employer, or who does not meet the income and first-time buyer requirements, would not fit this program even if the job title sounds similar.

How much help it offers

Hometown Heroes assistance is up to 5 percent of the first mortgage amount, with a maximum of 35,000 dollars and a minimum of 10,000 dollars. The percentage structure matters because the dollar amount scales with the size of the first mortgage, up to the cap. A smaller first mortgage produces a smaller assistance amount, while a larger first mortgage can reach the cap. Buyers should not assume they will receive the maximum. The actual amount depends on the first mortgage amount, the program rules in effect at reservation, and the funds available through the program at that time.

How repayment works

This is the part every buyer should understand before reserving funds. Hometown Heroes assistance is a 0 percent, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. There is no monthly payment on the second mortgage and no interest accrues at 0 percent, but the balance does not shrink over time and it is not forgiven. It is explicitly not forgivable. The full balance becomes due when the home is sold, when the first mortgage is refinanced, when the deed is transferred, or when the home is no longer the borrower's primary residence. That deferred structure can be a real help at purchase because it lowers the cash needed to close, but it also means the assistance amount is still owed later. Buyers planning a future refinance or a move should factor that repayment into the plan from the start.

Which first mortgages it pairs with

Florida Housing lists Hometown Heroes as pairing with FHA, VA, USDA-RD, and conventional first mortgages. That range gives eligible buyers real choices. An FHA loan may suit a buyer who wants a lower down payment structure, a VA loan may suit an eligible veteran or servicemember, a USDA-RD loan may suit a buyer in an eligible rural area, and a conventional loan may suit a buyer with a stronger credit and down payment profile. The pairing does not change the repayment rule for the second mortgage. Whichever first mortgage is used, the Hometown Heroes second mortgage remains a deferred loan that comes due on the events described above.

Funding for the current fiscal year

For fiscal year 2026-2027, the Governor's Office announced a 50 million dollar appropriation for Hometown Heroes when the state budget was signed on June 29, 2026. An appropriation is not the same as an open reservation window, and it does not guarantee funds for any individual buyer. Programs of this kind open and close based on reservations and available funding, so a buyer who is interested should talk to a participating lender early, get pre-approved, and confirm availability at reservation rather than assuming funds will still be there weeks later.

What to confirm before you apply

Before applying, confirm three things with a participating lender: that you meet the current first-time buyer, income, and full-time Florida-based employment requirements; that the first mortgage you plan to use pairs with Hometown Heroes; and that funds are available for reservation. Also ask how the deferred second mortgage will be disclosed on your closing documents and how it will affect a future refinance, so there are no surprises later. Instant Money Mortgage, a broker with Complete Mortgage LLC, can walk through the first mortgage options that pair with Hometown Heroes and help you check current program availability. Call 888-647-9902 to talk through your situation.

Frequently asked questions

More in this series

• First-Time Homebuyers in Florida: Programs, Assistance, and First Steps
• Florida Assist Guide
• HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage Guide
• Salute Our Soldiers Guide
• Can Down Payment Assistance Programs Be Stacked in Florida?
• What Are the Qualifications and Income Limits for Florida Down Payment Assistance?
• Does Hometown Heroes Have to Be Repaid?
• Do I Need to Be a Teacher or Nurse to Qualify for Hometown Heroes?
• Can I Use Down Payment Assistance With an FHA, VA, or USDA Loan?
• Can I Get Down Payment Assistance With a 580 to 640 Credit Score?
• What Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a House in Florida?
• How Much Down Payment Assistance Can I Get in Florida?
• How Long Does Pre-Approval Take?

Sources

• Florida Housing: Hometown Heroes
• Governor's Office: Florida Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget

Related loan programs

Estimates only, for educational use. Not a loan offer or commitment to lend.