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Florida Hometown Heroes Program
The Florida Hometown Heroes Program* helps eligible Florida workers, military members, veterans, and first-time buyers purchase a primary residence with down payment and closing cost assistance. For the 2026-2027 funding cycle, $50 million has been approved, and eligible buyers may receive up to $35,000.
2026 Update:
$50 Million in Funding Approved
Florida’s Hometown Heroes Program has been approved for the 2026-2027 funding cycle. For eligible Florida buyers, this may create an opportunity to reduce the upfront cash needed for a down payment and closing costs.
Because funds are limited and have moved quickly in past funding cycles, getting pre-approved early can help you understand your options, confirm possible eligibility, and be prepared when assistance is available.
What Is Florida Hometown Heroes?
The Florida Hometown Heroes Program helps eligible Florida homebuyers purchase a primary residence with down payment and closing cost assistance. For 2026, the program provides assistance through a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage.
Eligible buyers may receive 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount, with a minimum assistance amount of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. The assistance may be used toward the down payment and eligible closing costs, subject to program guidelines.
This assistance is not a forgivable grant. Repayment is deferred, but the full amount becomes due if the home is sold, refinanced, transferred, the first mortgage is paid off, or the borrower no longer occupies the property as their primary residence.
2026 Florida Hometown Heroes Eligibility
Who May Qualify for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
For 2026, eligibility depends on more than your job title. At least one borrower generally must work full-time for an eligible Florida-based employer, report to or work from a physical Florida location, or qualify through military or veteran status.
Eligible categories may include:
Healthcare workers
Full-time employees of certain Florida-based healthcare providers, hospitals, assisted living facilities, mental health facilities, dental care centers, physician offices, or healthcare facilities.
K-12 school staff
Full-time employees of Florida-based K-12 public, private, charter, or magnet schools. Colleges, universities, and school district administrative offices are not included.
First responders and public safety workers
Full-time employees of certain Florida-based fire departments, ambulance services, hospitals, law enforcement departments, juvenile detention facilities, correctional facilities, or emergency operations centers.
Court employees
Full-time employees of Florida-based county, state, or federal courts, court administrator’s offices, State Attorney’s Offices, or Public Defender’s Offices.
Childcare workers
Full-time employees of qualifying Florida-based licensed or license-exempt childcare facilities, including certain Gold Seal, VPK, Head Start, or School Readiness providers.
Military members and veterans
Active-duty and reserve service members may qualify under the military category. Veterans must be employed full-time with a Florida-based employer, but they do not have to work for one of the eligible employer categories.
Credit Score, Income, and First-Time Homebuyer Requirements
Having an eligible job is only one part of qualifying for Florida Hometown Heroes. You also need to meet Florida Housing’s borrower, income, credit, and first-mortgage requirements.
First-time homebuyer requirement
In most cases, you must be a first-time homebuyer, but that does not mean you can never have owned a home before.
Florida Housing generally considers you a first-time buyer if you have not owned and occupied a home as your primary residence during the past three years. So, if you sold a home more than three years ago and have rented since then, you may still qualify.
There are limited exceptions to the first-time homebuyer requirement, including certain qualifying veterans and buyers purchasing in federally designated targeted areas.
Minimum credit score
The Hometown Heroes program generally requires a minimum credit score of 640 for eligible FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional financing.
Your specific first-mortgage program and underwriting findings may have additional requirements, so meeting the 640 minimum does not automatically guarantee approval.
If your score is close to 640, it may still be worth having us review your situation. A pre-approval review can help you understand where you stand and what may need to improve before you move forward.
Income and loan limits
Hometown Heroes has county-specific income limits, and the amount you can earn depends on where you are buying and the type of first mortgage you use.
Your first mortgage must also stay within the applicable loan limits for your county and loan program.
Check the current 2026 Florida Hometown Heroes income limits by county, including Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Martin, St. Lucie, and counties throughout Florida.
How The Assistance Works
Assistance amount:
Eligible buyers may receive 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount, with a minimum assistance amount of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000.
Use of funds:
The assistance may be used toward the buyer’s down payment and eligible closing costs, including certain prepaid items, subject to program guidelines.
No monthly payment:
The assistance is provided as a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage, which means there is no monthly payment on the assistance.
Important note: Hometown Heroes assistance is not a forgivable grant. It is a deferred second mortgage that must be repaid when a repayment event occurs.
Example Scenario:
How Much Could Hometown Heroes Help?
Hometown Heroes assistance is based on the first mortgage loan amount, not the purchase price. For eligible buyers, the assistance may equal 5% of the first mortgage, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000.
Here’s what that could look like on an FHA purchase:
- Purchase price: $450,000
- FHA down payment, 3.5%: $15,750
- Estimated First Mortgage: $434,250
- Hometown Heroes Assistance, 5%: $21,712.50
What this means:
In this scenario, the estimated Hometown Heroes assistance is more than the FHA down payment amount. That may help reduce the cash needed for the down payment, eligible closing costs, and prepaid items, subject to program rules.
For illustration only: This is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of assistance. Actual assistance, eligibility, loan terms, and cash-to-close depend on program guidelines, credit approval, property details, and available funds.
Step-by-Step:
How to Use Hometown Heroes with Ideal Lending
1. Get Pre-Approved
We start by reviewing your credit, income, loan options, and possible Hometown Heroes eligibility. This helps you understand your budget before you start shopping.
2. Review Your Documents
We help you gather the documents needed for your mortgage and program review. This may include pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, bank statements, employer information, military or veteran documentation, and a homebuyer education certificate if required.
3. Confirm Employer Eligibility
For 2026, your employer and work location matter. We’ll help review whether your job, employer, and Florida work location may meet Hometown Heroes guidelines.
4. Shop with a Strategy
Once you know your budget, we can work with your real estate agent to help you plan for seller credits, closing costs, timing, and monthly payment goals.
5. Reserve Assistance If Available
If you qualify and funds are available, assistance may be reserved according to program guidelines. Being prepared early can help you move faster when you find the right home.
6. Move Toward Closing
Our team works with you, your Realtor, and the title company to complete underwriting, clear final conditions, and get you ready for closing.
What to Know Before You Apply
Hometown Heroes can help reduce the upfront cash needed to buy a home, but it does not replace mortgage approval. You still need to qualify for your first mortgage, meet program guidelines, and purchase an eligible primary residence.
Here are a few common things to understand before you get started:
- The assistance may be used toward down payment and eligible closing costs.
- It is a deferred second mortgage, not a forgivable grant.
- Your employer, job type, and work location may affect eligibility.
- Fully remote workers are not eligible under the 2026 guidance.
- Income, purchase price, credit, loan type, and funding limits apply.
- Seller credits may still be helpful as part of your offer strategy.
- Homebuyer education may be required before closing.
The easiest first step is to get pre-approved so we can review your options before you start shopping.
Why Working With the Right Lender Matters
At Ideal Lending, we help review your options early so you can understand whether Hometown Heroes may fit your situation before you start shopping.
Start with a pre-approval to see what you may qualify for.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Hometown Heroes Program
How much assistance can I receive?
Eligible homebuyers may receive up to 5% of their total first mortgage loan amount, with a minimum assistance amount of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. The funds may be used toward the down payment and eligible closing costs.
The exact amount of Florida Hometown Heroes assistance you may receive depends on the size of your first mortgage and current program guidelines. During the last funding cycle, the average down payment assistance amount was approximately $16,000 per buyer.
Are Hometown Heroes funds limited?
Yes. Florida Hometown Heroes funds are limited and remain available only until the statewide allocation has been fully committed. The newly signed Florida 2026–2027 budget includes $50 million for Hometown Heroes down payment and closing cost assistance.
Meeting the program requirements does not guarantee that assistance will be available. Funds must be reserved through a participating lender and are subject to program availability, mortgage approval and current Florida Housing guidelines.
Getting pre-approved early can help you confirm your eligibility and prepare to move quickly when you find a qualifying home. However, a mortgage pre-approval does not reserve or guarantee Hometown Heroes funds.
Contact Ideal Lending at 561-202-8406 to review the program requirements and begin the pre-approval process.
Is Florida Hometown Heroes a grant or a loan?
Florida Hometown Heroes assistance is not a forgivable grant. It is a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage.
That means there is no monthly payment on the assistance, but the full amount must be repaid if you sell the home, refinance, transfer ownership, pay off the first mortgage, or no longer use the home as your primary residence.
Do I make monthly payments on Hometown Heroes assistance?
No. Florida Hometown Heroes assistance is provided as a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage, so there are no monthly payments on the assistance.
The loan is not forgivable. The full amount becomes due when you sell the home, refinance your first mortgage, transfer the deed or stop using the property as your primary residence.
Who qualifies for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program in 2026?
For 2026, at least one borrower must generally qualify through their employment, military service, or veteran status. The program is designed for eligible full-time Florida workers in approved categories, as well as qualifying service members and veterans.
Job title alone does not determine eligibility. The borrower’s employer, work location, income, loan approval, property, and program requirements all matter. Fully remote workers are not eligible, and hybrid workers must meet the program’s Florida work-location rules.
The best way to find out if you may qualify is to start with a pre-approval and have your situation reviewed.
Are remote or hybrid workers eligible?
Fully remote workers are not eligible for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program.
Hybrid workers may be eligible if they work at or report to a physical Florida work location. For 2026, hybrid employees must report to that Florida brick-and-mortar location at least three days per week.
Your employer, job role, and work location all need to meet program guidelines.
What loan types can be used with Florida Hometown Heroes?
The Florida Hometown Heroes Program may be paired with several types of 30-year, fixed-rate first mortgages, including:
- FHA loans
- VA loans
- USDA Rural Development loans
- Conventional loans through Fannie Mae HFA
- Preferred or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage
Hometown Heroes assistance is provided as a separate second mortgage to help cover the down payment and eligible closing costs. It is not a standalone first mortgage.
The best loan option depends on your credit, income, military eligibility, property location, debt-to-income ratio and overall homebuying goals. Ideal Lending can compare the available Hometown Heroes loan options and help determine which mortgage program may be the best fit for you.
What will I need to apply?
The documents required will depend on your employment, income, mortgage program and military status. You may be asked to provide:
- A government-issued photo ID
- Recent pay stubs and other applicable income documentation
- W-2s and tax returns, when required for your first mortgage
- Recent bank statements showing assets and available funds
- Proof of full-time employment and an eligible occupation
- A professional license or certification, when applicable
- A DD214 or Certificate of Eligibility for eligible military borrowers or veterans
- An approved homebuyer education certificate
- Additional documents required for mortgage approval
You do not need to have every document ready before contacting Ideal Lending. We can review your situation, explain the current Florida Hometown Heroes requirements and provide a personalized document checklist.
Can self-employed buyers qualify?
Yes, if you work full time in Florida in an approved service role and meet both program rules and first-mortgage guidelines. You will need to document stable self-employed income and Florida-based employment.
See If You Qualify for Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes funds are limited, so getting pre-approved early can help you understand your options and be prepared when assistance is available.
Not eligible for Hometown Heroes? You’ve still got options. We offer a range of low down payment loans, grants, and other down payment assistance programs to help you become a homeowner.
Click here to connect with a local Florida Loan Officer and get started!
Disclaimer: Ideal Lending LLC is not affiliated with or acting on behalf of Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Program guidelines, income limits, purchase price limits, occupation requirements, credit approval, and funding availability apply. Not all applicants will qualify. Assistance is subject to availability.