August 3, 2026 · By Ryan Parker
Up to $35K Down Payment: Florida Hometown Heroes Program 2026
If you are a teacher, nurse, firefighter, law enforcement officer, or veteran looking to buy your first home in South Florida, the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program could put up to $35,000 toward your down payment and closing costs. Here is exactly how it works in 2026.
I get questions about this program almost every week from buyers in Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach who have heard about it but are not sure if they qualify or how to apply. The Hometown Heroes Program is one of the best tools Florida offers for everyday buyers, and the numbers are genuinely good. Let me walk you through every detail so you can see if it fits your situation.
What is the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
The Hometown Heroes Program (sometimes called HTH) is a state-run down payment assistance program created by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It is designed to help essential community workers and first-time homebuyers afford a home in the communities they serve. The program provides a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage of up to $35,000 that you can use for your down payment, closing costs, or both.
The best part? There are zero monthly payments on this second mortgage. You do not pay anything until you sell the home, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. And even then, the assistance is forgiven if you stay in the home long enough, typically 5 to 10 years depending on the specific program terms.
2026 Program at a Glance
Assistance amount
Up to $35,000
5% of first mortgage, max $35K
Interest rate
0%
No interest, no monthly payment
Minimum credit score
640
660 for manufactured homes
First mortgage
30-year fixed
Through Florida Housing-approved lender
Who qualifies for the Hometown Heroes Program?
Three big requirements determine if you qualify:
You work in an eligible occupation
The program covers 50+ professions across seven categories. The most common ones include:
- Teachers and education professionals
- Nurses and healthcare workers
- Firefighters and EMTs/paramedics
- Law enforcement officers and correctional officers
- Active-duty military and veterans
- Childcare workers and home health aides
- Government employees and court personnel
You need to work full-time (35+ hours per week) with a Florida-based employer. Veterans are exempt from the employment requirement.
Your income is within the limit
In 2026, the income limit is 150% of the Area Median Income for your county. For South Florida:
| County | Income Limit (2026) |
|---|---|
| Palm Beach County | Up to $192,750 |
| Broward County | Up to $190,200 |
| Miami-Dade County | Varies by household size |
Higher limits apply for households of 3+ people and for properties in federally designated targeted areas. These limits are generous enough that most working professionals in South Florida qualify.
You are a first-time homebuyer
"First-time homebuyer" means you have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. If you have owned a home before but sold it more than 3 years ago, you still qualify. Veterans may qualify for exemptions to this rule.
You also need to complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before closing. This is usually an 8-hour online course that costs about $75-$100. Veterans using VA loans are exempt from this requirement.
How much money can you actually get?
The assistance is calculated as up to 5% of your first mortgage loan amount, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. Here is how that works with real numbers:
| Home price | First mortgage (95%) | 5% assistance | Your out-of-pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $237,500 | $11,875 | ~$500 |
| $300,000 | $285,000 | $14,250 | ~$750 |
| $400,000 | $380,000 | $19,000 | ~$1,000 |
| $500,000 | $475,000 | $23,750 | ~$1,500 |
| $700,000 | $665,000 | $33,250 | ~$2,750 |
Out-of-pocket estimates assume you combine the Hometown Heroes assistance with your own funds for the remaining down payment needs. Actual costs depend on the specific loan program, property taxes, insurance, and lender fees.
As you can see, the Hometown Heroes Program covers a huge chunk of what you need upfront. For a $300,000 home in Boynton Beach or Delray Beach, you could walk into closing with less than $1,000 of your own money for the down payment and closing costs.
What kind of home can you buy?
The program is flexible about the type of property. You can buy:
Single-family homes
The most common choice. Works for houses in any price range that fits your budget.
Condos and townhomes
Great option in South Florida's coastal communities. The condo association must be FHA-approved if using an FHA loan.
2-4 unit properties
Live in one unit and rent the others. The rental income helps you qualify for a larger loan.
Manufactured homes
Must be 1994 or newer, on a permanent foundation, and classified as real property.
Important: The home must be your primary residence in Florida. You cannot use this program for a vacation home, second home, or investment property.
How to apply for the Hometown Heroes Program
The application process is simpler than you might think. Here is the step-by-step:
Find a Florida Housing-approved lender
Not every lender can originate Hometown Heroes loans. You need a lender who is approved by Florida Housing to process these loans. Austin Edwards at Ocean Blue Lending handles Hometown Heroes loans regularly and can walk you through the process.
Complete the homebuyer education course
Take a HUD-approved 8-hour online course. It costs about $75-$100 and covers budgeting, credit, the mortgage process, and what to expect at closing. You will get a certificate that your lender needs.
Get pre-approved
Your lender pulls your credit, verifies your income and employment, and issues a pre-approval letter. This tells sellers you are a serious buyer and tells you exactly how much home you can afford.
Find your home and make an offer
Work with a realtor who knows the affordable neighborhoods in your area. I can help you find homes in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, and surrounding communities that fit your budget and qualify for the program.
Close and move in
Your lender finalizes the Hometown Heroes assistance alongside your first mortgage. The funds go directly to closing. You move in, and you do not make a single payment on the $35,000 assistance until you sell or refinance.
Can you stack this with other programs?
Yes, and this is where it gets really good. The Hometown Heroes Program can be combined with:
FHA loans
The most common pairing. FHA loans allow a 3.5% down payment with a 580 credit score. Combine that with $35,000 in Hometown Heroes assistance, and you can buy a home with almost nothing out of pocket.
Conventional loans
If your credit score is 680 or higher, a conventional loan paired with Hometown Heroes gives you the best long-term value. The PMI drops off after you reach 20% equity, and the assistance covers your down payment.
VA loans
Veterans are exempt from the employment requirement and the homebuyer education course. A VA loan requires zero down payment, so the Hometown Heroes assistance could cover your closing costs entirely. This is a powerful combination for veterans.
FL Assist (up to $10,000)
Some buyers can combine FL Assist with the Hometown Heroes Program for even more down payment help. Talk to your lender about whether this is available in your situation.
What this means for South Florida buyers
The Hometown Heroes Program is a game-changer for South Florida's market, where home prices are higher than the state average. Here is why it matters specifically for our area:
Palm Beach County
With income limits up to $192,750, most teachers, nurses, and first responders in Palm Beach County qualify. The program opens up neighborhoods like Greater Boynton Place, Renaissance Commons, and Madison Lakes that might otherwise feel out of reach.
Broward County
Broward's income limits are similarly generous. For buyers in Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, and northern Broward, the Hometown Heroes Program can make the difference between renting and owning.
In a market where the average down payment on a $350,000 home is $12,000-$17,000, getting $14,000-$17,500 in assistance (depending on the final purchase price) covers virtually all of it. That is the difference between "I cannot afford to buy" and "I can buy this year."
Quick answers to common questions
"Is the $35,000 a loan or a grant?"
It is a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage. You do not make payments on it, and it is forgiven after a certain period (typically 5-10 years) if you stay in the home. If you sell before forgiveness, you repay the remaining balance from the sale proceeds, but there is no interest.
"Can I use it if I am a veteran?"
Yes, and veterans get extra benefits. You are exempt from the employment requirement and the homebuyer education course. Pairing a VA loan with Hometown Heroes is one of the most affordable ways to buy a home in South Florida.
"What if I already own a home?"
The program is for first-time homebuyers (no ownership in the past 3 years). If you are a current homeowner, you would not qualify. But if you sold your home more than 3 years ago, you are eligible.
"How long does the process take?"
From pre-approval to closing, plan on 45-60 days. The homebuyer education course takes about 8 hours and can be done online at your own pace over a weekend. The biggest variable is finding the right home and negotiating a contract.
"Are there any hidden costs?"
No hidden costs. The program itself has no fees. You will still pay standard closing costs (appraisal, inspection, title fees, etc.), but the Hometown Heroes assistance can cover most or all of those too.
The bottom line
The Florida Hometown Heroes Program is one of the best down payment assistance programs in the country. It is not a gimmick or a teaser rate. It is real money that helps real people buy homes in the communities they serve.
If you are a teacher, nurse, first responder, veteran, or work in one of the 50+ eligible professions, and you have been renting in South Florida wondering if you will ever be able to afford a home, this program is designed for you. The income limits are generous enough that most working professionals qualify, and the assistance covers most or all of your down payment and closing costs.
The key is working with a lender who knows the program inside and out. Not every lender is approved to originate Hometown Heroes loans, and you want someone who has done it before so there are no surprises at closing.
Ready to see if you qualify?
A quick call will tell you exactly how much you qualify for and what your monthly payment would look like. No pressure, just the facts.
Or send us a message and we will get back to you.
Ryan Parker
Realtor · Coldwell Banker Realty · SL3571861
Ryan Parker is a South Florida real estate agent specializing in helping everyday buyers find affordable homes in Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and nearby communities. He works alongside Austin Edwards at Ocean Blue Lending to help buyers get pre-approved and into homes with confidence. Ryan is a RealTrends Verified agent and has helped dozens of first-time buyers use the Hometown Heroes Program to purchase their first home.