Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Hometown Heroes
Down Payment Assistance for Florida's Essential Workers
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Down Payment Assistance for Florida's Essential Workers
At a glance
Florida Hometown Heroes is a Florida Housing Finance Corporation program that gives eligible full-time workers — in health care, schools, first-responder and public-safety roles, child care, and the military — up to 5% of their first mortgage (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) for down payment and closing costs, as a 0% deferred second mortgage repaid when they sell, refinance or move out. Tampa Mortgage Man — Raymond Rivera Jr. (NMLS #2639249) — helps Tampa Bay buyers apply.
Florida's Hometown Heroes program stacks multiple benefits to make homeownership truly affordable for the people who serve our communities.
Receive up to 5% of your first mortgage loan amount (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) to use toward your down payment and closing costs.
Get a competitive market rate on an FHA, VA, RD, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac first mortgage.
Reduced upfront fees mean more money stays in your pocket at closing.
The assistance is a 0% non-amortizing second mortgage — no monthly payments. It's only repaid when you sell, refinance, or move out.
You must live in the home you purchase — this program is designed for the community members who live where they work.
Veterans with a DD-214 and active-duty service members are exempt from the first-time homebuyer requirement. Veterans still need full-time work with a Florida-based employer.
Drag the sliders to estimate your monthly payment — no email required, no obligation.
Estimated Monthly Payment
$0
Principal & interest only — taxes, insurance, and PMI not included.
Any full-time Florida workforce employee working for a Florida-based employer may be eligible. This includes — but is not limited to:
Not sure if your occupation qualifies? Call me and I'll tell you in 2 minutes.
Getting your Hometown Heroes benefit is straightforward. Here's how the process works from start to keys-in-hand.
You must work full-time for a Florida-based employer in an eligible role (or be a servicemember or veteran), meet income limits for your county, and be a first-time homebuyer unless an exemption applies.
I review your income, credit, and loan options — and confirm the exact DPA amount you qualify for. Takes about 20 minutes.
Hometown Heroes works with FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac loans. We'll pick the best fit for you.
Your down payment assistance is applied at closing — no separate check, no extra steps. You move in with more money in your pocket.
Everything you need to know about the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program.
You can receive up to 5% of your first mortgage loan amount, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. For example, 5% of a $300,000 first mortgage is $15,000.
The assistance is structured as a 0% non-amortizing 30-year deferred second mortgage — meaning no monthly payments. It only becomes due when you sell the home, refinance, transfer the deed, or stop using the home as your primary residence. It is not forgivable.
Hometown Heroes works with FHA, VA, USDA (Rural Development), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac first mortgages. We'll help you identify which loan type gives you the best rate and benefit combination.
Usually, yes — a first-time homebuyer is someone who has not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. Florida Housing makes exceptions for veterans with a DD-214, active-duty service members, and purchases in federally designated targeted areas. You must also meet your county's income limits and buy the home as your primary residence.
Absolutely not. The Florida Hometown Heroes program is always free to apply for. If anyone charges you an upfront fee to apply, they are a scammer. Report them to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation at 850-488-4197.
Call or text Raymond J Rivera JR at 813-696-1271 or book a free 30-minute consultation. We serve Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Hernando counties and are licensed across all of Florida.
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Know what to gather before you apply
Four one-page checklists: credit, financial, income and loan documents.
It costs nothing to apply — and I'll walk you through every step. Let's find out how much you qualify for.
Raymond J Rivera JR · NMLS #2639249 · Land O Lakes, FL · Mpire Financial Group LLC NMLS #2108504