01
Help with upfront costs
Eligible funds may be applied toward down payment, closing costs and eligible prepaids. The lender must use the program according to Florida Housing rules.
Understand the program
What Hometown Heroes can do
The assistance can reduce the cash hurdle at closing, but it is paired with an approved Florida Housing first mortgage and full lender underwriting.
02
Deferred repayment
The second mortgage has 0% interest and no monthly payment. It is generally due upon sale, refinance, transfer of deed, payoff of the first mortgage, loss of primary occupancy or maturity.
03
Compatible loan choices
2026 offerings include FHA, VA, USDA-RD and eligible HFA conventional options. Product availability, rate and underwriting differ by reservation channel.
Core eligibility
A quick pre-screen before you apply
A participating lender makes the final determination. These are the major checkpoints—not a complete underwriting list.
✓
First-time buyer status
Generally, an occupying borrower must not have owned and occupied a primary residence during the prior three years. Qualified veterans may receive an exemption, subject to documentation and program channel rules.
✓
Eligible full-time employment
Eligibility is based on the qualifying Florida employer or facility—not merely the job title. Most borrowers must work full-time and report to a qualifying physical Florida location. Hybrid may qualify; remote-only generally does not.
✓
Income, credit and loan approval
Income must remain within the applicable county and loan-program limit. Published minimum FICO is 640. Debt-to-income and all agency/lender rules still apply.
Official attached table • effective May 6, 2026
South Florida income and maximum loan limits
The table distinguishes the standard HTH income limit from the separate USDA income limit. These are loan limits—not maximum purchase prices.
Important: Bond and TBA income-counting rules
differ. TBA generally considers income of all borrowers on the loan,
including a non-occupying co-signer; Bond generally considers
household income of occupants age 18 and older. Ask the
participating lender which channel applies.
A clean path to closing
Five steps to get ready
Pre-screen
Review employer, first-time buyer, income and credit eligibility.
Choose a lender
Use a Florida Housing participating loan officer; the program is not accessed directly by buyers.
Gather documents
Prepare income, asset, ID, employment-location and first-time buyer records.
Shop responsibly
Set a payment target that includes taxes, insurance, HOA and mortgage insurance.
Reserve and close
A fully executed contract is required before lock. The lender manages reservation and delivery deadlines.
Planning tool
Estimate payment and assistance
Enter a home price and basic assumptions. This estimator does not determine eligibility, approval, rate, cash to close or affordability.
Buyer scenario estimator
All inputs can be changed. Use a lender’s Loan Estimate for an actual transaction.
BASE LOAN—
EST. ASSISTANCE—
EST. MONTHLY PITI + MI—
COUNTY LOAN-LIMIT CHECK—
Illustration only. Excludes upfront financed premiums, closing
costs, prepaid items, inspections, reserves, rate adjustments and
lender-specific charges. Assistance is calculated from the total
first mortgage under program rules; this simplified model uses the
displayed base loan. Insurance in South Florida can vary
materially.
If you do not qualify today, you may still have a path.
Ask about other Florida Housing, city, county, employer, lender and
lawful seller-concession options. Seller concessions are limited by
the selected loan program, occupancy, down payment and other
rules—so avoid presenting “up to 6%” as universal. A
credit-readiness plan may also help, but no one can guarantee
approval or score improvement.
Frequently asked questions
Details buyers often miss
Is the assistance free money or a grant?
No. It is a repayable, 0% deferred second mortgage. It generally becomes due in full when the home is sold, refinanced, transferred, the first mortgage is paid off, the borrower stops using it as a primary residence, or the second mortgage matures.
Which occupations or employers qualify?
Eligible categories include qualifying Florida-based healthcare facilities, K–12 schools, fire/EMS employers, law-enforcement/corrections/emergency-operations employers, specified courts and legal public offices, qualifying childcare facilities, and military categories. Employer/facility eligibility is controlling; a familiar job title by itself is not enough.
Can a remote employee qualify?
Generally no for remote-only work. The 2026 guidance requires most borrowers to work full-time for and report to or work from a qualifying physical Florida location. Some hybrid employees may qualify when documentation meets the rules.
Do veterans have to be first-time buyers?
A qualified veteran with acceptable DD-214 documentation may be exempt from the first-time buyer rule. Veterans must still meet the applicable full-time employment and all other program and underwriting requirements.
Does the income limit equal the income needed to buy at the loan limit?
No. The income cap is an eligibility ceiling; it is not an approval amount. The maximum loan limit is also not a promise that the borrower qualifies for that loan. Actual capacity depends on verified income, debts, credit, rate, taxes, insurance, HOA and underwriting.
When can funds be reserved?
The participating lender controls the reservation. Current guidance requires a fully executed purchase contract before locking. Funds and rates can change or run out, and reservation-to-purchase deadlines apply.
Is homebuyer education required?
Education requirements depend on the borrower and selected product. Complete any required approved course early and retain the certificate. Your participating lender should identify the acceptable provider and timing.
Watch the overview
Hometown Heroes program video
Let’s check your homebuying options.
Contact Carlyne Belot at Luxury Property Solutions, LLC for a buyer consultation and referral to a participating lender.
Request a consultation
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Official references
Florida Housing — Hometown Heroes Program · eHousingPlus — current program highlights and lender materials
County figures above are transcribed from the supplied “2026 Income & Maximum Loan Limits for TBA,” effective with reservations as of May 6, 2026. Verify all figures and current program availability before publication or reliance.