What the program is
According to the official Florida Housing Hometown Heroes page, the program is meant to make homeownership more affordable for eligible workforce occupations. It can provide down payment and closing-cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers so they can purchase a primary residence in the community in which they work and serve. Florida Housing also describes a first-mortgage option through the program, with competitive market interest rates on FHA, VA, Rural Development and conventional loans, reduced upfront fees, and no origination points or discount points. Those terms are set by Florida Housing and the participating lender, not by this website, and they can change.
Who Florida Housing lists as eligible
The 2026 program, as described by Florida Housing, is limited to:
- A person employed full-time by a Florida-based employer as a health care worker, school staff member, first responder, public safety or court employee, or child care worker;
- A servicemember of the United States military or military reserves, the United States Coast Guard or its reserves, or the Florida National Guard; or
- A veteran employed full-time by a Florida-based employer.
Florida Housing publishes example eligible occupations on the official program page. Employment and first-time-buyer rules have to be confirmed for each file.
Assistance amount, as published
Florida Housing states that borrowers can receive up to 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount, with a maximum of $35,000 and a minimum of $10,000, toward down payment and closing-cost assistance. The assistance is a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. It becomes due in full upon sale of the property, refinancing of the first mortgage, transfer of the deed, or if the homeowner no longer occupies the property as a primary residence. Florida Housing states that the Hometown Heroes loan is not forgivable.
Income and loan limits
Income and maximum loan limits vary by county and by loan type, and they are updated. Florida Housing publishes a 2026 limits table for Hometown Heroes. Confirm the current figures for Miami-Dade or any other county on the official materials before you plan around a number. The program page links the current limits, including the 2026 Hometown Heroes income and loan limits document.
How this relates to a loan conversation
David Mieres, Mortgage Lender, NMLS #2857980, with LoanWorks Financial, NMLS #2791803, can help you review whether a program like this may be relevant to your case and what documents a participating lender typically needs. Eligibility is decided under Florida Housing’s rules and is subject to credit approval. There is no cost to apply for the official program; Florida Housing warns that scammers sometimes ask for an upfront fee, and that you should not pay one.
Source: Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Hometown Heroes Program, reviewed November 10, 2026. Always confirm current rules at floridahousing.org. This page is not an offer, not a promise of approval, and not administered by Loan to Keys.