Florida's Hometown Heroes Program Explained — Who Qualifies and How to Apply
If you're a teacher, nurse, first responder, veteran, or active-duty military member in Florida — there's a program specifically designed to help you buy a home, and most people who qualify have never heard of it.
It's called the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, and it could put up to $35,000 toward your down payment and closing costs.
What is the Hometown Heroes Program?
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program was created to make homeownership more accessible for the frontline workers who serve Florida communities. It's administered through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and available through approved lenders like Lower Mortgage.
Key benefits:
Up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance
0% interest on the assistance — meaning you pay nothing extra
No monthly payments on the assistance amount
Repayment only required if you sell, refinance, or rent out the home
Who qualifies?
The program is open to first-time homebuyers who work in eligible professions, including:
Teachers and school staff
Nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers
Law enforcement officers
Firefighters and first responders
Active military and veterans
Childcare workers and social workers
Income limits apply and vary by county — but expanded limits introduced in 2025 mean more Floridians now qualify than ever before.
How do you apply?
You can't apply directly — the assistance is structured through your mortgage. You need to work with an approved lender who can layer the Hometown Heroes benefit into your loan.
Our team at Lower Mortgage – Coral Gables Branch handles this process regularly. Book a free 15-minute call with Bob Chamorro and we'll tell you within minutes whether you qualify.
