Florida Hometown Heroes Mortgage Program — 2026 Complete Guide
Florida Hometown Heroes Program 2026 guide: who qualifies, how much you get, and how to apply. Up to $35,000 for first responders, educators, and veterans.
Educational content only. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial, legal, or lending advice. Loan programs, rates, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Consult a licensed mortgage professional before making any borrowing decision. Mortgage Capital | NMLS# 1859012 | Licensed in Florida.
This Florida Hometown Heroes Program 2026 guide breaks down a benefit that thousands of qualifying Florida workers never claim. Firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses, EMTs, and veterans all qualify. Real help with your down payment and closing costs may be available — and most people who qualify have no idea it exists.
How the Florida Hometown Heroes Program Works
The program gives you up to 5% of your first mortgage amount, capped at $35,000, as a second mortgage at 0% interest. It is non-amortizing and deferred over 30 years, so you make no monthly payments on it. You only repay the balance when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
That structure is what makes it worth chasing. A grant often has to be paid back on a set schedule. This assistance just stays behind your first mortgage, lowers what you owe at the closing table, and leaves your monthly payment alone.
Eligibility Requirements in 2026
To qualify in 2026 you need to be a first-time buyer, or at least not have owned a home in the past three years. You also have to meet your county's income limit, buy a primary residence in Florida, and have a credit score of at least 640. Income limits change by county. In Palm Beach County the cap is currently $128,250 for a household of one or two.
The occupation list is broad. Firefighters, law enforcement, K-12 and college educators, healthcare and childcare workers, and active or veteran military all count. Florida expanded the list in 2024, and it now covers more than 50 job titles. It is worth checking even if you think you do not qualify.
Compatible Loan Types and How We Help
You can pair the assistance with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage. We originate Hometown Heroes loans in all 67 Florida counties. Adding it usually tacks two or three business days onto a normal approval. We handle the program paperwork and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation submission for you.
Apply for Florida Hometown Heroes Today
Want to know if you qualify? Apply online or call (561) 300-0380. We will run your numbers and confirm your exact assistance amount within one business day. Plenty of Florida workers walk away from tens of thousands of dollars just because nobody told them this existed. While you are at it, ask us about USDA $0 down financing and FHA loans with 3.5% down too.