Hometown Heroes: Mortgage Assistance for Florida's Community Workforce

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program may provide down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible full-time community workforce employees purchasing a primary residence in Florida. Subject to program availability, credit, income, and lender guidelines.

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What Is the Hometown Heroes Program?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is offered through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It is designed to help eligible full-time community workforce employees purchase their first home in the communities where they work and serve.

The program provides down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a second mortgage. It is paired with a first mortgage from an approved lender.

Program availability, income limits, and assistance amounts are subject to change. Talk with a loan officer to confirm current program terms and whether you may qualify.

Who May Be Eligible

The Hometown Heroes program is generally available to full-time Florida employees in qualifying occupations, including:

  • Teachers and school employees
  • Law enforcement officers and correctional officers
  • Firefighters and first responders
  • Nurses, paramedics, and healthcare workers
  • Active military and veterans
  • Other certified community workforce occupations

You must be a first-time homebuyer or not have owned a primary residence in the past three years (with some exceptions for active military). The property must be your primary residence in Florida.

Eligibility is subject to income limits by county, credit requirements, and lender guidelines.

How the Assistance Works

Hometown Heroes assistance typically works as follows:

  • Down payment and closing cost help: Assistance is provided as a second mortgage, which may reduce or eliminate the need for out-of-pocket down payment funds.
  • Paired with a first mortgage: The program is combined with an eligible first mortgage such as FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional.
  • Deferred or forgivable terms: Repayment terms on the second mortgage vary. Talk with a loan officer about current program terms.

Assistance amounts and terms are set by Florida Housing and are subject to program funding and availability.

Eligible Property Types

  • Single-family homes
  • Townhomes
  • Condominiums (subject to approval)
  • 2-4 unit properties (borrower must occupy one unit)

The property must be in Florida and serve as your primary residence.

Loan Types That May Be Paired with Hometown Heroes

Depending on your eligibility, the Hometown Heroes program may be paired with:

  • FHA loans
  • VA loans
  • USDA loans
  • Conventional loans (including HFA preferred programs)

Your loan officer will help determine which first mortgage type fits your situation.

Important Disclosures

The Hometown Heroes program is subject to funding availability. Program terms, income limits, and assistance amounts may change without notice. Not all borrowers will qualify. Subject to credit approval, income verification, property approval, and lender guidelines. This is not a commitment to lend.

Talk with a loan officer at American Mortgage Services about your specific scenario and current program availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Florida Hometown Heroes program?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is a state-sponsored initiative through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It may provide down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible full-time community workforce employees purchasing a primary residence in Florida. Program availability is subject to funding and eligibility requirements.

Who qualifies for the Hometown Heroes program?

Generally, full-time Florida employees in qualifying community workforce occupations may be eligible. This includes teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, nurses, paramedics, active military, veterans, and other certified occupations. Borrowers must typically be first-time homebuyers and meet income limits based on county. Eligibility is subject to current program guidelines.

How much assistance does the Hometown Heroes program provide?

Assistance amounts are set by Florida Housing and may vary based on program funding and your first mortgage loan amount. Assistance is structured as a second mortgage. Talk with a loan officer about current assistance levels and whether the program has available funding, as funding can be exhausted and replenished periodically.

Does the Hometown Heroes assistance require repayment?

The Hometown Heroes second mortgage has specific repayment terms set by Florida Housing. Terms may include deferred payment or partial forgiveness provisions depending on the current program structure. Your loan officer can explain the current repayment terms in detail before you apply.

What happens to the Hometown Heroes assistance if I sell or refinance?

If you sell the home or refinance before the assistance term ends, you may be required to repay some or all of the second mortgage depending on the current program terms. Your loan officer will explain the specific repayment conditions before you commit to the program.

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Subject to credit, income, property, program, and lender guidelines. Talk with a loan officer about your specific scenario.

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