Florida’s Hometown Heroes Re-opens August 18th — Here’s How It Can Help You
If you’ve been dreaming about purchasing a home but the down payment has felt out of reach, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. On August 18th, 2025, the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program (HTH) reopens and it’s designed to help the people who serve our communities every day minimize the barriers to getting into their own homes.
What Is the Hometown Heroes Program?
The Hometown Heroes Program was created to make homeownership more affordable for Florida’s workforce. Think of it as a “thank you” to the people who show up every day to care for, protect, and educate our communities.
The program provides:
Down payment and closing cost assistance
Competitive interest rates on FHA, VA, RD, and Conventional loans
Benefits for veterans and servicemembers
Let’;s Get You Home!
Who Qualifies?
This program isn’t for everyone — it’s tailored specifically to the people who keep Florida running. To qualify, you must:
✔ Work full-time for a Florida-based employer
✔ Be a first-time, income-qualified homebuyer
✔ Serve in one of these roles:
Healthcare worker
Teacher, school staff, or childcare provider
First responder, public safety, or court employee
Active-duty servicemember, reservist, Coast Guard, or Florida National Guard
Veteran employed full-time in Florida
See the full list of eligible occupations here: HTH Eligible Occupations List (PDF)
How Much Assistance Can You Get?
Qualified buyers can receive up to 5% of their first mortgage loan amount — that’s between $10,000 and $35,000 — to use toward down payment and closing costs. The funds come in the form of a 0% interest, 30-year deferred second mortgage. It isn’t forgivable, but it also doesn’t require monthly payments. It only becomes due if you sell, refinance, or move out of the home.
View the 2025 income and loan limits here: Hometown Heroes 2025 Income & Loan Limits (PDF)
In other words: it gives you a powerful head start.
A Quick Word of Caution
There’s no cost to apply for the Hometown Heroes Program. If anyone tries to charge you an upfront fee, it’s a scam. Protect yourself and only work with trusted lenders and licensed professionals.
Why This Matters
For many families, saving tens of thousands of dollars for a down payment can feel impossible. Programs like Hometown Heroes close that gap and turn the dream of owning a home into a reality for those who serve Florida every single day.
At Zumot Realty, we love connecting buyers with opportunities like this. We’ll help you understand the program, connect you with trusted lenders who know the ins and outs, and guide you step by step toward the home you’ve been waiting for.
Ready to See If You Qualify?
The Florida Hometown Heroes Program reopens August 18th, 2025. Don’t wait until it’s too late . Reach out to Zumot Realty today to get connected with a lender and find out if you qualify. Your homeownership journey could start sooner than you think.
