Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Florida Housing Finance Corporation (state HFA); program window reported as reopening July 13, 2026
Amount: Down payment/closing cost assistance up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000, as a 0% interest, non-amortizing (deferred) second mortgage with no monthly payments; repaid only upon sale, refinance, or payoff of the first mortgage
Type: Deferred 0% second mortgage
First-time homebuyer required (no home ownership in prior 3 years), waived for active-duty military/veterans; must work full-time (35+ hrs/week, veterans exempt) for a Florida-based employer in an eligible essential-worker occupation (teachers, nurses/healthcare workers, law enforcement, firefighters, childcare workers, military/veterans, and ~50 total professions); minimum credit score 640 (660 for manufactured housing or manual underwriting); household income at or below 150% of county Area Median Income (roughly $142,950 to $195,450 depending on county); property must be a Florida primary residence; funding is limited and first-come, first-served
Florida Assist (FL Assist) Second Mortgage
Florida Housing Finance Corporation, used with an approved Florida Housing first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA-RD, or conventional)
Amount: Up to $10,000 in down payment/closing cost assistance as a 0% interest, deferred, non-amortizing second mortgage with no monthly payment
Type: Deferred 0% second mortgage
First-time homebuyer, eligible veteran, or buyer purchasing in a state-designated targeted area; minimum credit score 640; must occupy the home as a primary residence; must meet Florida Housing's first-mortgage program income and purchase price limits, which vary by county
Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage
Florida Housing Finance Corporation, used with an approved Florida Housing first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA-RD, or conventional)
Amount: Up to $10,000-$12,500 (figure varies slightly by source/period) as a fully-amortizing second mortgage at 3% interest over a 15-year term, requiring its own monthly payment (roughly $69/month per $10,000 borrowed); unpaid balance due in full on sale, transfer, refinance, or if the home stops being the primary residence
Type: Amortizing 3% second mortgage (not deferred/forgivable)
First-time homebuyer (or targeted-area/veteran exception per standard Florida Housing rules); minimum credit score 640; must pair with an approved Florida Housing first mortgage; the added monthly payment counts toward the borrower's debt-to-income ratio during underwriting