$100 Million for the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Florida’s budget for the years 2022–2023 includes $100 million for the new Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program. This program, in celebration of National Homeownership Month in June, helps community workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans buy their first homes. This program is administered by the Florida Housing and Finance Corporation.
This program provides down payment and closing cost assistance, as well as a lower first mortgage rate and additional special benefits. According to their official site, eligible frontline workers can receive lower than market rates on an FHA, VA, RD, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac first mortgage, reduced upfront fees, no origination points or discount points and down payment and closing cost assistance. Borrowers are also eligible for a down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 5% (a maximum of $25,000.00) of the first mortgage loan amount. A 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage is offered as a down payment and closing cost help. If the homeowner no longer uses the property as his or her principal residence, the property is sold, the first mortgage is refinanced, the deed is transferred, or the second mortgage becomes fully due and payable. The loan from Florida Hometown Heroes cannot be forgiven.
“In Florida, we value the contributions of our police, firefighters, teachers, and nurses,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said. “Our hometown heroes are the backbone of Florida communities and making sure that they can afford to be homeowners is a great way to give back to them and support the future of the American Dream.”
There are certain requirements that must be met to be eligible for the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program. The applicant must have not owned a home in the past three years as their primary residence (this doesn’t apply to veterans). They can own a mobile home but it must be on a rented lot or land. Applicants must be actively licensed/certified in one of the approved occupations or an approved veteran/active duty status. They also must meet the credit requirements for the loan type they have chosen. Home buyer education is also required. View the list of eligible occupations for FL Hometown Heroes Loan Program here.
