Florida Hometown Heroes Program: Is It Still Available and Who Qualifies?

Written by Justin Mackler, Co-founder and Senior Loan Officer, NMLS# 1648112, United Direct Lending. Last updated November 2026.

Florida Hometown Heroes helps eligible Florida workers, servicemembers and veterans with down payment and closing costs on a home they will live in. As of November 2026, Florida Housing still lists Hometown Heroes as an active homebuyer program. Funding can change, though, so availability is confirmed when a participating lender reserves the assistance for your loan.

Quick takeaways

• Hometown Heroes is a second mortgage, not a grant. It is not forgiven.
• It is paired with a Florida Housing first mortgage from a participating lender.
• You apply through a participating lender, not on the Florida Housing website.
• Eligibility depends on your job or military service, household income, purchase price, county and first-time buyer status.
• Florida Housing says there is no cost to apply. Be wary of anyone asking for an upfront fee.

What is Florida Hometown Heroes?

Hometown Heroes is a Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) program created under Section 420.5096, Florida Statutes. It provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence in Florida.

The assistance is structured as a second mortgage that sits behind a Florida Housing first mortgage. The balance becomes due if you sell the home, refinance the first mortgage, transfer the deed, or stop living in the home as your primary residence.

Who may be eligible?

Under Florida Housing’s 2026 program materials, at least one borrower must fall into one of these groups:

• 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 child care worker. See Florida Housing’s eligible occupations list.
• A servicemember of the U.S. military or military reserves, the U.S. Coast Guard or its reserves, or the Florida National Guard.
• A veteran employed full time by a Florida-based employer.

Buyers must also meet:

• First-time homebuyer rules, with exceptions for certain servicemembers and veterans.
• Household income limits and purchase price or loan limits, which vary by county. See the 2026 Hometown Heroes income and loan limits.
• Credit, income and property requirements for the first mortgage.

Is Hometown Heroes available right now?

Florida Housing’s Hometown Heroes program page still lists the program for 2026. Funds are limited and can run out, and program rules can change. The only way to know whether assistance is available for your purchase is for a participating lender to check and reserve it when your loan is ready.

How do you apply?

1. Talk to a loan officer first. We review your income, assets and credit to see whether you are likely to qualify for both the first mortgage and the assistance.
2. Get pre-approved so you know your price range, estimated monthly payment and cash needed at closing.
3. Find your home and go under contract.
4. Your lender reserves the assistance if funds are available and you meet the program rules.
5. Close on the first mortgage and the Hometown Heroes second mortgage together.

Florida Housing also offers a Lender and Real Estate Agent Locator for finding participating lenders.

Things to know before you plan around it

• It must be repaid. Plan for the balance to come due when you sell or refinance.
• Compare the full cost. A Florida Housing first mortgage may have a different rate or fees than other loans you qualify for. We compare the total cost with and without assistance.
• Timing matters. Assistance is reserved when your loan is ready, not when you start shopping.
• Other programs may fit better. Some Florida cities and counties offer their own assistance, and FHA, VA and conventional loans with low down payments may also work for you.

How United Direct Lending can help

United Direct Lending is a Boca Raton mortgage broker with loan officers across Florida. Our team works with first-time buyers every day, including teachers, nurses, first responders and veterans. We’ll explain whether Hometown Heroes fits your situation, compare it with other options, and guide you from pre-approval to closing. Se habla español.

Get pre-qualified, find a loan officer or call (888) 249-7960.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Florida Hometown Heroes still available?

Florida Housing still lists a 2026 Hometown Heroes offering. Funding and rules can change, so confirm availability with a participating lender and the official program page.

Is Hometown Heroes a grant?

No. It is a second mortgage that is not forgiven. It becomes due if you sell, refinance the first mortgage, transfer the home or stop living there as your primary residence.

Do I apply on the Florida Housing website?

No. You apply through a participating lender. Florida Housing states there is no fee to apply.

Can Hometown Heroes be used with any mortgage?

No. It is paired with a Florida Housing first mortgage from a participating lender. Ask your loan officer which first-mortgage types are allowed.

Do both borrowers need an eligible job?

No. Under the 2026 rules, only one borrower needs to meet the occupation or military requirement. Income limits still apply to the household.

Sources

• Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Hometown Heroes Program
• Florida Housing, Hometown Heroes eligible occupations list (PDF, rev. July 13, 2026)
• Florida Housing, 2026 Hometown Heroes income and loan limits (PDF, rev. July 13, 2026)
• Florida Statutes § 420.5096, Florida Hometown Hero Program
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Owning a Home

Originally published on justinmackler.com.

This article is for general information only. It is not a loan offer, a commitment to lend or a determination of eligibility. All loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines, and program terms, funding and limits may change without notice. United Direct Lending is not affiliated with Florida Housing Finance Corporation. United Direct Lending, Company NMLS# 1749719. Justin Mackler, NMLS# 1648112. Equal Housing Opportunity.