The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is designed to assist eligible first-time homebuyers in Florida by providing down payment and closing cost assistance. Here are the key details based on the latest available information:

• Eligibility:
  • Primarily aimed at frontline workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans. However, eligibility has expanded to include all full-time workers in Florida, not just those in specified professions, as of recent updates.
  • Applicants must be first-time homebuyers (no homeownership in the past three years), though veterans and active-duty military are exempt from this requirement.
  • Must work full-time for a Florida-based employer, with a minimum of 35 hours per week.
  • There are income limits set at 150% of the area median income (AMI), varying by county. [1]

• Assistance Offered:
  • Up to $35,000 or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount (whichever is less) can be provided for down payment and closing costs.
  • The assistance comes in the form of a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. This means no monthly payments are required, but the loan must be repaid if the home is sold, refinanced, or if the homeowner moves out. [2]

• Property Requirements:
  • The home must be used as the primary residence within 60 days of closing.
  • Eligible properties include single-family homes, townhouses, condos, villas, and structures with 2-4 units. Manufactured homes are also eligible under certain conditions.

• Additional Requirements:
  • Borrowers need a minimum credit score of 640 (660 for manufactured homes).
  • Completion of an approved homebuyer education course is required, though this is waived for active military and veterans using VA loans. [3]

• Funding and Availability:
  • The program has been funded with significant allocations, such as $100 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. However, the funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and can run out quickly, often within months of being made available.

• Program Impact:
  • It has been instrumental in helping thousands of Floridians achieve homeownership, with notable success in assisting families across various counties in Florida. [2]

Citations:
[1] Florida Hometown Heroes Program FAQs For 2025 | FHA Source https://www.fhamortgagesource.com/florida-hometown-heroes-program-faqs-for-2024/
[2] Over 3,000 Florida Families Achieve Homeownership Through … https://www.floridahousing.org/eventitem/2024/08/01/press-releases/over-3-000-florida-families-achieve-homeownership-through-hometown-heroes-program
[3] Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program – Palm Beach County https://discover.pbc.gov/HED/Pages/Florida-Hometown-Heroes-Housing-Program.aspx