What Is the Hometown Heroes Program — And Who Qualifies in 2025?

The Hometown Heroes Housing Program is Florida’s statewide grant for essential workers — providing up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. It’s a 0% interest deferred loan that’s only due when the home is sold, refinanced, or rented.

The goal: help working-class Floridians stay in the communities they serve — without being priced out by rising home costs.

🦺 Eligible Professions Include:

• ✔️ Law Enforcement Officers & Correctional Officers
• ✔️ Firefighters, Paramedics & EMTs
• ✔️ Teachers & School Staff (PreK–12)
• ✔️ Nurses, CNAs, LPNs, RNs, Doctors & Dentists
• ✔️ Active Military & Veterans
• ✔️ Childcare Workers, Counselors, Social Workers
• ✔️ 100+ other critical professions

If you’re unsure whether your job qualifies, don’t worry — we’ll link to the full eligibility list in the next section.

👉 Next: How much money you can get, how it works with your mortgage, and what’s changed in 2025.

How the Hometown Heroes Grant Works in 2025 — Full Funding Breakdown

In 2025, the Florida Hometown Heroes program offers up to $35,000 in assistance — with a cap of 5% of your total loan amount. The funds are delivered as a 0% interest deferred second mortgage.

You don’t make payments on the grant. You only repay it if you sell, refinance, rent the property, or stop using it as your primary residence.

💰 Example:

• Purchase Price: $300,000
• Loan Amount: $285,000 (FHA)
• Max Assistance: $14,250 (5% of loan)
• Out-of-Pocket at Closing: Less than $1,000

📎 Key Facts:

• ✅ No monthly payments
• ✅ 0% interest
• ✅ Due only upon sale/refinance/rental
• ✅ Can be used with MCC, SHIP, and FHA 203(k)

In many cases, this program covers your entire down payment and all closing costs — making it one of the most powerful homeownership tools in the state.

👉 Next: How to check if your profession is eligible — and what documents you’ll need to prove it.

Eligible Jobs List — And How to Prove Your Occupation

The Hometown Heroes program covers over 100 licensed professions. If you work in education, healthcare, public safety, social services, or the military — you likely qualify. Here's how to check.

📋 Examples of Eligible Roles:

• 👩‍🏫 Teachers, School Counselors, Admins
• 👮‍♂️ Law Enforcement, Sheriffs, Corrections
• 🧑‍🚒 Firefighters, Paramedics, EMTs
• 👩‍⚕️ Nurses, CNAs, LPNs, RNs, Physicians
• 🎖️ Active-Duty Military, Veterans, Reservists
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Social Workers, Childcare Providers
• 🔧 Utility Techs, Engineers, Inspectors

View the full list here: Official 2025 Eligible Occupations →

📎 Required Proof (Simple!):

• ✅ Florida ID or driver’s license
• ✅ Copy of valid professional license or certification
• ✅ Recent pay stub or employment letter

If you're a veteran or active-duty, you'll need a DD-214, VA eligibility certificate, or service statement.

👉 Final section next: How to apply step-by-step — and how we can help you stack this with other programs for $0 to close.

How to Apply — And Stack Hometown Heroes With Other Florida Programs

You don’t have to figure this out alone. We help Hometown Heroes applicants every week — from pre-approval to closing. Here's how to apply, and how to multiply your savings.

📋 Step-by-Step Application Process:

• ✅ Step 1: Get prequalified with a Florida Housing-approved lender (we can connect you)
• ✅ Step 2: Provide income docs, ID, and license/certification
• ✅ Step 3: Complete a homebuyer education course (online or local)
• ✅ Step 4: Apply for Hometown Heroes funding through the lender portal
• ✅ Step 5: Close with grant applied — no separate repayment paperwork needed

🔁 Best Programs to Stack With:

• 🏠 SHIP – County grants up to $50K for down payment or repairs
• 💰 MCC – Up to $2,000/year in federal tax credits
• 🔧 FHA 203(k) – Renovation loan for fixer-uppers

We’ve helped teachers buy homes with $0 to close. Veterans stack VA loans + SHIP + Heroes. Medical staff earn $2,000/year in tax credits and never touch savings. That’s what we do.

Apply for Hometown Heroes Assistance →

The Alpha Order | We Serve Those Who Serve Florida