Florida Hometown Heroes 2026: Up to $35,000 in Down Payment Assistance for Essential Workers

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program provides up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible essential workers buying their first home in Florida. The program is funded for the 2026–2027 cycle with $50 million in state funding, and reservations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

William A. Ledesma is a participating Hometown Heroes lender in Miami, FL, helping teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, and other essential workers across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties secure this funding before it runs out. NMLS# 1232716 | (786) 387-3676.

What Is the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?

The Florida Hometown Heroes program is a statewide down payment assistance program administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It provides a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage to income-qualified, first-time homebuyers who work full time for a Florida-based employer in an eligible occupation. There are no monthly payments on the assistance — you only repay it when you sell, refinance, pay off, or transfer the home.

How Much Down Payment Assistance Can You Get in 2026?

Eligible buyers receive up to 5% of their first mortgage loan amount, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. The funds can be applied toward your down payment, closing costs, and prepaid expenses.

Here is how the 5% calculation works at different loan amounts:

Loan Amount	Assistance You Receive
$200,000	$10,000 (minimum)
$300,000	$15,000
$400,000	$20,000
$500,000	$25,000
$600,000	$30,000
$700,000+	$35,000 (maximum)

Who Qualifies for Hometown Heroes in Florida?

To qualify for the Florida Hometown Heroes program in 2026, you must meet the following requirements:

1.Work full time for a Florida-based employer in an eligible occupation (50+ fields qualify)

2.Be a first-time homebuyer — you have not owned and occupied a primary residence in the past three years (veterans may be exempt)

3.Have a minimum credit score of 640

4.Purchase a home you will live in as your primary residence — no investment properties or second homes

5.Meet your county's income limit (based on 150% of area median income)

What Occupations Are Eligible for Hometown Heroes?

The following occupations qualify for the Florida Hometown Heroes program:

•Teachers, school staff, and educators

•Nurses, LPNs, CNAs, and healthcare professionals

•Police officers, correctional officers, and law enforcement

•Firefighters, EMTs, and first responders

•Active-duty military members and veterans

•Childcare workers and early education providers

•Court employees and judicial staff

•Social workers and community health workers

More than 50 occupation categories are eligible. The approved list can change between funding cycles — confirm your specific occupation with a participating lender before applying.

What Are the 2026 Income Limits for Hometown Heroes?

Hometown Heroes income limits are based on 150% of the area median income and vary by county. For 2026 in South Florida:

County	Approximate Income Limit
Miami-Dade	~$155,000
Broward	~$155,000
Palm Beach	~$160,000

These limits apply to total household income for all borrowers on the loan. Confirm your specific county limit with a participating lender.

Is the Hometown Heroes Program Funded for 2026?

Yes. Florida's 2026–2027 state budget includes $50 million in new funding for the Hometown Heroes program. However, the previous round of funding was fully committed in early 2026 after helping thousands of families, so there can be gaps when no new reservations are available. When new funds open, reservations are first-come, first-served — funds are only reserved once you are fully qualified AND under contract on an eligible home.

How to Apply for Hometown Heroes in Miami

Follow these steps to be first in line for Hometown Heroes funding:

Step 1: Get pre-approved with a participating Hometown Heroes lender. Your credit must be checked (640+ required) and income verified against your county's limit.

Step 2: Find your home and get under contract. Funds are only reserved once you have an executed purchase contract on an eligible property.

Step 3: Your lender submits the reservation to Florida Housing the moment new funds become available.

Step 4: Close on your home with up to $35,000 in assistance applied to your down payment and closing costs.

Smart move: Get fully prepared now so you are ready the moment funds reopen. A pre-approval alone does not hold any money — but it puts you in position to move immediately.

Can You Combine Hometown Heroes With FHA or VA Loans?

Yes. The Hometown Heroes down payment assistance can be paired with FHA, VA, and Conventional first mortgage loans. This means a veteran could combine a zero-down VA loan with Hometown Heroes assistance to cover closing costs entirely — resulting in zero out-of-pocket expense to buy a home in Florida.

Hometown Heroes in Miami-Dade County — Local Information

Miami-Dade County has additional local homeownership programs that can sometimes be combined with state assistance. William A. Ledesma helps buyers in Miami, Hialeah, Homestead, Doral, Coral Gables, Kendall, and all of Miami-Dade County navigate both state and county-level programs to maximize their total assistance.

Programa Hometown Heroes en Español

El programa Florida Hometown Heroes ofrece hasta $35,000 en asistencia de enganche para trabajadores esenciales comprando su primera casa en Florida. Si eres maestro, enfermero, policía, bombero, o trabajas en otro campo elegible — puedes calificar. William A. Ledesma es un prestamista participante que habla español y te guía paso a paso. Llama al (786) 387-3676.

Ready to Find Out If You Qualify?

William A. Ledesma with Bold Mortgage is a participating Florida Hometown Heroes lender serving Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Get pre-approved today and be first in line for the next round of funding.

Call: (786) 387-3676

Apply Online: Get Pre-Approved

Book a Call: Schedule Strategy Call

NMLS# 1232716 | Bold Mortgage | Equal Housing Lender

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to lend or a guarantee of program eligibility or funding. Florida Hometown Heroes program terms, income limits, eligible occupations, funding availability, and reopening dates are set by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and are subject to change.