Down Payment Assistance for Florida's Essential Workers
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 (max $35,000) to use toward your down payment and closing costs.
Get a lower-than-market first mortgage rate on FHA, VA, RD, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac loans.
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.
Active military and veterans receive additional special benefits on top of the standard Hometown Heroes perks.
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 be a first-time homebuyer, employed full-time by a Florida-based employer, and meet income limits for your county.
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 maximum of $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. For example, on a $319,737 average loan (the program average), that's up to $15,987 in assistance.
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.
Yes — Hometown Heroes is for first-time homebuyers, defined as someone who has not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. You must also meet income limits for your county and purchase a home to use 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.
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 · Hoot Home Loans LLC NMLS #2532931