Hometown Heroes Program FAQ and Changes in 2025 | New Funding Announced

This blog post breaks down what’s changing, who still qualifies, and how to prepare.

What is the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program helps full-time workers in certain jobs buy a home by offering money for the down payment and closing costs. It is run by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

The program gives eligible homebuyers up to $35,000 in assistance through a second mortgage with 0% interest. You do not make monthly payments on this loan, and you only repay it if you sell the home, refinance, or pay off your main mortgage.

In 2024, the program was open to all full-time workers in Florida. But in 2025, the program is limited to specific jobs such as healthcare workers, teachers, first responders, military members, and others in public service roles.

Check Your Eligibility for 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program

Main features

• Up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost help

• 0% interest loan that does not require monthly payments

• Available with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans

• You must be a first-time homebuyer

• You must work full-time in an approved job and live in the same community

The goal of this program is to help workers who serve Florida communities afford a home near where they work.

Check Your Eligibility for 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program

Who Is Eligible to Participate In The Program?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program helps certain full-time workers in Florida buy a home by offering down payment and closing cost assistance. To qualify in 2025, buyers must meet the updated rules below.

First-Time Homebuyer Requirement

You must be a first-time homebuyer. This means you have not owned and lived in a home in the last three years.

Veterans are an exception to this rule and can use the program at any time.

Minimum Credit Score

A credit score of at least 640 is required to qualify. This helps show that you are able to manage your finances and repay a mortgage.

Income Limits

Your income must be less than 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the county where you are buying a home. The AMI is based on location and household size and is set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Full-Time Employment in a Qualifying Job

You must work full-time for a Florida-based employer and have a job that falls under the approved list of occupations. As of 2025, this includes roles such as:

• Healthcare workers

• School employees

• First responders

• Public safety staff

• Court system workers

• Childcare providers

• Active military members, National Guard, Coast Guard

• Veterans working full-time in Florida

More job categories may be added once the state finalizes the full list.

Buying a Home in the Community Where You Work

You must buy a home in the same Florida community where you are employed. This is meant to support people who live and work locally.

Meeting these requirements means you may be eligible for up to $35,000 in assistance. However, program approval also depends on available funding and whether your occupation is officially included in the final 2025 list.

If you think you might qualify, it’s a good idea to speak with a participating lender and get prequalified early.

Check Your Eligibility for 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program

What Are the Changes to the Program in 2025?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program will see major changes for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. These updates affect who can qualify, how much funding is available, and when the program will reopen.

Here are the key changes:

New Funding Amount

For 2025, the state has approved $50 million in new funding for the Hometown Heroes Program. This is half the amount that was available in 2024. Because of this lower budget, the program will have stricter rules on who can apply.

Stricter Job Requirements

In 2024, the program was open to all full-time workers in Florida. That is no longer the case.

Starting in 2025, only full-time workers in approved occupations can qualify. These roles include:

• Healthcare workers

• School staff

• First responders

• Public safety workers

• Court employees

• Childcare workers

• Active military members (including National Guard and Coast Guard)

• Veterans employed full-time in Florida

A full list of approved job types will be released soon by Florida Housing.

Delayed Start Date

The 2025 program will not start on July 1st. It is still waiting for final approval from the Governor. Once approved, Florida Housing will:

• Publish the full list of eligible jobs

• Update the lender guide

• Train participating lenders

Until then, no reservations can be made, and applications are not open.

Check Your Eligibility for 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program

What Are the Different Mortgage Options Available Under the Program?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program offers a variety of mortgage options, including:

• FHA loans - FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). They have more lenient credit score requirements than conventional loans.

• VA loans - VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They offer 100% financing, so you don't need a down payment. They also have no monthly mortgage insurance premiums (MIP).

• USDA loans - USDA loans are guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). They are available to borrowers who purchase homes in rural areas. They offer 100% financing, and they have no monthly MIP.

• Conventional loans - Conventional loans are not insured or guaranteed by the government. They typically require a down payment of at least 3%, and interest rates tend to be higher than FHA or VA loans.

The specific mortgage options that are available to you will depend on your individual circumstances, such as your income, credit score, and the type of property you are buying.

You should work with a qualified lender to determine which mortgage option is best for you.

Check Your Eligibility for 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program

Income and Loan Limits for the Program

The income and maximum loan limits for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program vary depending on the county where you are buying a home.

You can find the income and maximum loan limits for your county on the Florida Housing Finance Corporation website.

Here are some examples of income and maximum loan limits for different counties:

• Miami-Dade County - Maximum income is $154,800 and Maximum loan limit is $557,750.

• Hillsborough County - Maximum income is $130,350 and Maximum loan limit is $472,030.

• Volusia County - Maximum income is $128,250 and Maximum loan limit is $472,030.

If you are a first-time homebuyer, you may be eligible for additional down payment assistance, which could increase your maximum loan limit.

You can find more information about first-time homebuyer programs on the Florida Housing Finance Corporation website.

Check Your Eligibility for 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program

How I Find a Hometown Heroes Program Lender?

The reservation and loan delivery process for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is as follows:

• Find a participating lender - The first step is to find a participating lender. You can simply contact MakeFloridaYourHome using our website.

• Apply for the program - Once you have found a participating lender, you will need to apply for the program. The lender will review your application and determine if you are eligible.

• Make an offer on a home - If you are approved for the program, you can make an offer on a home. The lender will need to approve the loan before you can close on the home.

• Reserve the funds - Once the lender approves the loan, you will need to reserve the funds. This means that you will need to pay a reservation fee. The reservation fee is typically 1% of the down payment assistance amount.

• Close on the home - Once the funds are reserved, you can close on the home. The lender will provide you with the down payment assistance funds at the time of closing.

The reservation and loan delivery process typically takes 30-60 days. However, the process may take longer if there are any delays in the underwriting process.

Check Your Eligibility for 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program

Florida Tax Exemption Benefits

One of the top benefits of using the Hometown Heroes Program is tax exemption, saving you thousands of dollars.

Under Section 420.513(1) of the Florida Statutes, this program provides an exemption from documentary stamp tax and intangible tax for first and second mortgages and notes used to secure loans for housing financed through Florida Housing's Homebuyer Programs.

This means that when you purchase a home through these programs, you won't have to pay the documentary stamp tax and intangible tax on your mortgage, saving you a substantial amount of money.

The Florida documentary stamp tax is a real estate transfer tax levied at a rate of $0.70 per $100 paid for the property in most counties, except Miami Dade, where it is $0.60 per $100.

With the Hometown Heroes Program, you can exclude this tax when you meet the program's criteria. Additionally, the Florida intangible tax, which is calculated at 2 mills per dollar of the note's just value secured by the mortgage, is also exempted.

For each $100,000 of your home purchase price, this exemption can potentially save you approximately $2,000 in documentary stamp tax and intangible tax.

Check Your Eligibility for 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program

Where to Find More Information and Who to Contact

For individuals seeking more information about the Florida Hometown Heroes program or having questions about the eligibility requirements, application process, or any other related inquiries, the primary point of contact is MakeFloridaYourHome.

MakeFloridaYourHome is a designated organization responsible for administering and overseeing the Florida Hometown Heroes program.

Their team of dedicated professionals is committed to helping aspiring homebuyers navigate the program and make their dream of homeownership a reality.

Whether you have questions about the program's eligibility criteria, the application process, the maximum down payment assistance amount, or any other aspect of the program, the team at MakeFloridaYourHome is there to assist you every step of the way.

Check Your Eligibility for 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program

2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program FAQs

Here are the most important questions and answers about the changes to the Florida Hometown Heroes Program in 2025.

Who still qualifies for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program in 2025?

In 2025, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is limited to full-time employees in approved jobs such as healthcare, education, first response, public safety, childcare, the court system, and military service.

Is the Florida Hometown Heroes Program still open to all full-time workers?

No, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is no longer available to all full-time Florida employees; eligibility is now limited to specific public service roles.

How much assistance can you get from the Florida Hometown Heroes Program in 2025?

The program still offers up to $35,000 or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount in down payment and closing cost assistance.

When will the Florida Hometown Heroes Program start in 2025?

Although the new funding year starts July 1, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program will not reopen until the Governor approves it and Florida Housing completes lender training.

Can you apply for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program right now?

No, applications for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program are not open yet for 2025, and reservations cannot be made until the official launch is announced.

Will there be an updated job list for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program in 2025?

Yes, Florida Housing will publish an official list of approved occupations for the 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Program once the final version is approved.

Did the Florida Hometown Heroes Program get more or less funding this year?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program received $50 million in funding for 2025, which is half the amount that was available in 2024.

Do first-time homebuyer rules still apply to the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?

Yes, you must be a first-time homebuyer to use the Florida Hometown Heroes Program in 2025, unless you are a qualifying veteran.

What loan types are available under the Florida Hometown Heroes Program in 2025?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program still works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans, depending on your qualifications and lender approval.

What should you do now to prepare for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program in 2025?

To prepare, check if your job is likely to qualify, speak with a participating lender, and get prequalified so you are ready when the program officially launches.