Hometown Heroes Housing Program Reopens

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program makes homeownership affordable for eligible workforce occupations. This program provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers so they can purchase a primary residence in the community where they work and serve. The Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program also offers a lower first mortgage interest rate and additional special benefits to those who have served and continue to serve their country.

A new application period for Florida’s Hometown Heroes Housing Program is underway, offering eligible first-time buyers much-needed funds toward a down payment and closing costs on a new home. During the most recent legislative session, Florida Realtors® successfully advocated for an additional $50 million in funding for the program.

Applications for the popular program opened Monday, providing up to 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount (maximum of $35,000 / minimum of $10,000) toward down payment and closing costs for frontline and essential workers. The Florida Legislature included new “first-responder” occupation restrictions this year to ensure those employed in critical service roles have a chance to obtain homebuying assistance before the money runs out. Click here to see the approved list of occupations.

Program applicants must be:

· A person employed full-time by a Florida-based employer as a health care worker, school staff member, first responder, public safety or court employee, or childcare worker;

· A service member of the United States military or military reserves, the United States Coast Guard or its reserves, or the Florida National Guard; or

· A veteran employed full-time by a Florida-based employer.