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HOMETOWN HEROES

Florida Housing Program

helping to Make homeownership affordable for those serving our community

Thank you for your service.

The hometown heroes program was launched by the state of Florida in June of  2022. 

As of January 2023 this program has assisted over 3,500 Florida frontline workers purchase a home in the community they serve, awarding more than $50 million in down payment and closing cost assistance.

 

How it works: 

Frontline workers employed in qualifying occupations can receive up to 5% of their mortgage loan amount (to a maximum of $25,000) in Down Payment Assistance (DPA), resulting in less out of cost expense when making a home purchase.

 

This money can be utilized for down payment and closing costs to include prepaids, upfront funding fees or other mortgage fees and expenses.   

Down payment assistance is provided in the form of a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30 year loan with zero monthly payments. A non-amortizing loan is a type of loan that is typically repaid in one lump sum as opposed to regular monthly payments.  DPA Loan re-payment is deferred until the home is sold, the deed is transferred, the home is refinanced, or when the borrower decides to no longer occupies the property as their primary residence.

Program Details:

  • 30-year fixed rate first mortgage loan (FHA, VA or Conventional)

  • Home Purchase transaction only

  • Primary Residence in the State of Florida Only

  • Home must be occupied within 60 days

  • Minimum credit Score of 640

  • Maximum DTI: 50% for Conventional, FHA and VA; 45% for USDA

  • Must be a first time buyer or have an exemption status

    • Veterans, active duty and their spouses are exempt from the first-time buyer requirement​

  • Income Limit: Must be below 150% of the area median income

    • Limit varies from $118,950 to $146,250

    • $118,950 (Volusia,  Flagler, St Johns)

    • $124,350 (Orange, Osceola)  

    • $146,250 (Miami, Dade)

  • Loan Amount varies by county and loan type

    • Conventional: $726,200 all of Florida (except for Monroe county: $874,000)​

    • FHA: $472,030 (Flagler, Orange, Osceola, Volusia); $526,700 (St Johns) 

  • No purchase price limits 

  • No Minimum Borrower contribution for 1 unit property 

  • Cash Back is NOT allowed​​​​

    • Potential cash back can be used to reduce the 1st Mortgage principal ($1000 max)

    • Cannot be used for an appraisal gap

    • Cannot be used to pay off borrower debt, but personal funds may be used.

  • Homebuyer education is required for the hero borrower but not spouse.

  • Registerd Nurse

  • Licensed Practical Nurse

  • Advanced Practice Registerd Nurse

  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist

  • Cerfied Nurse Midwife

  • Certified Nursing Assistant

  • Home Health Aide (employed by a licensed home health agency)

  • Physician

  • Physician Assistant

  • Anesthesiologist 

  • Anesthesiologist Assitant

  • Pyschiatrist

  • Certified Medical Assistant

  • Acupuncturist

  • Osteopathic Physician

  • Chiropractic Physician

  • Certified Chiropractic Physician Assistant

  • Podiatric Physician

  • Certified Podiatric Physician X-Ray Assistant

  • Licensed Medical Physicist (Radiologic)

  • Certified Basic X-Ray Machine Operator

  • Certified Radiologic Technologist, Assistant, General Radiographer, Specialty Technologist (Radiologic)

  • Genetic Counselor

  • Optician (or Apprentice)

  • Certified Optometrist

  • Hearing Aid Specialist (or Trainee)

  • Physical Therapist (or Assitant)

  • Veterinarian (and Assistant or Technician)

  • Assistant Public Defender

  • Assistant State Attorney

  • Assisted Living Facility Administrator

  • Sworn Law Enforcement Officer

    • (FL or Federal)

  • Certified Correction Officer

    • (FL or Federal)

  • Correctional Probation Officer

    • (FL or Federal)

  • Law Enforcement Officers eligible under the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program

  • FBI

  • US Dept of Homeland Security

  • US Marshalls Service

  • US DEA

  • ATF

  • ICE

  • Juvenile Detention Officer

    • (FL Dept of Juvenile Justice)

  • Juvenile Probation Officer

    • (FL Dept of Juvenile Justice)

  • Certified K-12 Educators to include:

  • Classroom Teacher

  • Career Specialist

  • Librarian/Media Specialist

  • School Counselor

  • Social Worker

  • School Psychologist

  • Psychologist

  • Clinical Social Worker

  • Marriage & Family Therapist

  • Mental Health Counselor

  • Child (and Adult) Protective Services Enforcement

  • Licensed or Registered Childcare Operator (Owner of Facility)

  • Childcare Instructor (Employed by a licensed Facility)

  • Active Military Personnel

  • Veterans

  • Firefighter

  • Certified Paramedic

  • Certified EMT

  • 911 Public Safety Communicator

  • Dentist

  • Dental Hygienist

  • Dental Assistant

  • Naturopathic Physician

  • Pharmacist

  • Nuclear Pharmacist

  • Pharmacy Technician

  • Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist (or Assistant)

  • Nursing Home Administrator

  • Occupational Therapist (Assistant or Aide)

  • Certified Respiratory Therapist 

  • Registered Rerspiratory Therapist

  • Licensed/Registered Dietician or Nutritionist

  • Licensed Nutrition Counselor

  • Dietetic Technician

  • Athletic Trainer

  • Prosthetist

  • Orthotist

  • Prosthetist Orthotist

  • Perdothist

  • Prostetist

  • Orthotic Fitter (and asssistant)

  • Electrologist

  • Massage Therapist

  • Clinical Laboratory Personnel

  • Lab Director

  • Supervisor

  • Technologist

  • Blood-Gas Analyst

  • Laboratory Testing Technician

  • Phlebotomist

Eligible Occupations for FL Hometown Heroes Loan Program

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