What is the Hometown Heroes program in Florida?

Hometown Heroes provides up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for Florida community workers including teachers, nurses, first responders, military, social workers, and 50+ other professions. It's a 0% deferred second mortgage that can be forgiven over time.

Can I use multiple Florida buyer programs at once?

Yes. Florida's state programs (Hometown Heroes, FL Assist) are designed to stack with federal loan programs (FHA, VA, USDA). For example, a buyer could use Hometown Heroes ($35K) + an FHA loan (3.5% down) + FL Assist ($10K) to buy a home with almost nothing out of pocket.

What credit score do I need for first-time buyer programs in Florida?

FHA loans require a 580+ credit score for 3.5% down. VA and USDA loans have no minimum credit score requirement (though lenders set their own standards). Conventional loans typically require 620+. Florida state programs (Hometown Heroes, FL Assist) work with various loan types.

How much down payment assistance can I get in Florida?

Up to $35,000 through Hometown Heroes for community workers, plus up to $10,000 through FL Assist. Combined, that's $45,000 in potential assistance. VA and USDA loans offer $0 down payment options. FHA requires as little as 3.5% down.

Free money for homebuyers

Florida Buyer Programs That Could Save You Thousands

Most buyers don't know these programs exist. Here's every option available to you — and how to stack them together.

Download the Full Hometown Heroes Guide (PDF) See all programs

$35,000

Hometown Heroes max

$10,000

FL Assist max

3.5%

Min FHA down payment

VA & USDA down payment

Programs at a glance

Every Florida buyer program, explained

Most of these programs are meant to work together. Here's a quick overview of each one — and then we'll show you how to stack them.

★

Hometown Heroes Program

Featured Program — Best for Community Workers

$35,000

Down payment & closing cost assistance

Deferred second mortgage — no monthly payments

For community workers — teachers, nurses, first responders, military, social workers, and 50+ professions. Up to $35,000 in assistance with a 0% deferred second mortgage that's forgivable over time. Income limits and property price caps apply by county.

Download the Guide Read the full breakdown

FL Assist

$10,000 toward down payment & closing costs

0% deferred second mortgage — no monthly payment
Must use a Florida Housing-approved lender
Can combine with other programs

FHA Loans

3.5% down with 580+ credit score

More lenient than conventional loans
Great for first-time buyers with limited savings
10% down if credit score is 500–579

VA Loans

$0 down payment for veterans & active military

No PMI required — saves hundreds per month
Competitive interest rates
Florida has one of the largest veteran populations — yet this is hugely underused

USDA Loans

$0 down payment in eligible areas

Parts of Boynton Beach and western Palm Beach County qualify
Lower mortgage insurance than FHA
Income limits adjusted for household size and location

Florida HFA Preferred

$50–$150 saved per month vs. standard FHA

Reduced mortgage insurance costs
Available through Florida Housing-approved lenders
Perfect if you have savings but want lower monthly payments
Can be combined with FL Assist

Can you use more than one?

YES. Here's what stacking looks like:

$35,000

Hometown Heroes

Down payment & closing cost assistance

FHA Loan

3.5% down payment mortgage

+ $10,000

FL Assist

Additional down payment help

= Buying a home with almost nothing out of pocket

The assistance covers your down payment AND closing costs, while the FHA loan provides flexible financing.

Your next steps

How to get started

Three simple steps to find out what you qualify for and start your home search.

Check if you qualify

Call Ryan at 561-915-8590 for a free, no-pressure consultation. We'll go over your situation and which programs you're eligible for.

Get pre-approved

Call Austin Edwards at Ocean Blue Lending: 561-426-8238. He's a Florida Housing-approved lender who knows exactly how to structure these programs.

Find your home

Ryan will help you find the perfect affordable home in your budget. With your financing lined up, you'll be ready to make an offer with confidence.

What clients say

Buyers trust Ryan

Real experiences from real people who've worked with Ryan to find their home.

"Ryan was fantastic to work with. His knowledge of the Palm Beach market gave us a lot of confidence, and he made what could have been a stressful process feel straightforward. He was always quick to respond, kept everything on track, and explained things clearly so we never felt in the dark."

B&R

Ben & Robin

Palm Beach County buyers

"Ryan Parker is a top notch agent who goes above and beyond for his clients. He is extremely knowledgeable about the market and will fight for you to get the best deal possible. I highly recommend Ryan to anyone looking to buy or sell a home."

Justin Chookasezian

South Florida client

"My wife and I are 'out of towners' who loved Delray Beach and wanted to buy. After looking on Zillow forever, we finally clicked 'talk to realtor', and that's how we met Ryan. Ryan may appear young in years, but his business acumen, knowledge of the area, hustle, above and beyond attitude, and genuine kindness is understated. We feel fortuitous that we clicked on him, and now we have found our realtor for life in the area."

Mick Fox

Delray Beach buyer, out-of-towner

Ready to find out what you qualify for?

Download our free guide or give us a call — we'll help you figure out which programs work for your situation.

Download Hometown Heroes Guide (PDF)

Call Ryan: 561-915-8590

Call Austin: 561-426-8238

Ryan Parker · Realtor · Coldwell Banker Realty · Austin Edwards · Ocean Blue Lending

Free Consultation

Not sure which programs you qualify for?

Fill out the form and Ryan will reach out to help you figure out the best path forward — no pressure, no obligation.