0% Down-Payment Home Ownership with Florida Hometown Heroes

Get Approved for Your 0% Down Paurchase in 24 Hours Upto $35000 Downpayment Assistance

Easy Qualification with

  • 640 Credit Score

  • Paystubs & or W2

  • First Time Home Buyer

🏠 Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program: Key Benefits for First-Time Buyers

  • Affordable Homeownership for Heroes: Designed for first-time homebuyers in Florida who serve their communities—law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, nurses, military members, and veterans.

  • Down Payment & Closing Cost Help: Offers financial assistance to cover down payment and closing costs, making it easier to purchase a home.

  • Competitive Mortgage Rates: Access lower-than-market interest rates through the BOND and TBA (The Bond Alternative) programs.

  • Support for Essential Workers: Tailored to expand housing opportunities for frontline and essential personnel across the state.

  • Statewide Program: Available across Florida, boosting homeownership accessibility for qualified residents.

💡 TBA vs. Bond Program: Key Differences & Savings for Hometown Heroes

  • TBA Program Advantage:

    Only borrower(s) on the loan are evaluated for income and first-time buyer status—non-borrowing spouses are excluded.

  • Bond Program Rules: Considers income of all household members 18+, plus the first-time homebuyer status of borrowers, non-purchasing spouses, and deeded individuals.

  • Big Savings on Fees:

    Florida Hometown Heroes Program waives the 1% origination fee, reducing upfront closing costs by thousands.

  • More Inclusive Options: Choose the program that best fits your financial and household situation.

Down Payment Assistance

The program will reduce the upfront costs for homebuyers by providing zero-interest loans to help with down payment and closing costs.

Amount of Assistance

5% Of the TOTAL Loan Amount capped at $35,000, with a minimum of $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. For example, borrowers with a loan amount of $200,000 or less would receive an automatic $10,000.

Rate & Term

0%, non-amortizing, 30-year, repayable second mortgage.

Repayment Terms

The Hometown Heroes Loan is not forgivable. Repayment is deferred, except in the event of sale, transfer, satisfaction of the first mortgage, refinancing of the property or until such a time the mortgagor ceases to occupy the property at which time, the Hometown Heroes Second Mortgage Loan will become payable in ful

Program Participation Restriction

ALL borrowers are restricted to a one-time participation in FL Housing’s Homebuyer Loan Programs. This includes all first and second mortgage programs.

Note: Florida Housing’s DPA cannot be combined with another FL Housing DPA program.

Eligibility Requirements

The home being purchased must be used as the borrower’s primary residence, and the borrower must be a Florida resident. The property must be owner-occupied, with the borrower intending to move in and occupy the home as their primary residence within 60 days of closing.

Florida based Employer

Borrower(s) must be employed full-time by a Florida-based employer. Borrower(s) must work for a FL based employer that has a physical location in FL. Borrower(s) must work from, or report to, that physical location. Veterans are exempt from this requirement when providing a valid DD214. ONLY one occupying borrower must satisfy this requirement.

First-Time Homebuyer

Occupying borrower(s), must not have had an ownership interest in their primary residence within the last three years unless purchasing in a Federally Designated Targeted Area OR if qualifying under the Veteran’s Exemption.

Income Limit

Borrower(s) must not exceed the maximum Income Limit requirements, household size, for the county in which the property is being purchased. BOND considers the Household Income. Therefore, all gross income of occupants aged 18 and older must be considered. TBA considers the Credit Qualifying Income or AUS income.

Homebuyer Education (HBE)

One borrower (primary borrower) must complete a Program- approved, in-person or online, PRE-PURCHASE, homebuyer education course. Certificates of completion are acceptable for 2 years from the date of completion. Veterans do not have to attend HBE if qualifying under the Veterans Exemption. Active-Duty military buyers are not exempt from HBE. Co-Signors do not have to attend HBE.

Loan Terms

Eligible borrowers can take advantage of a 30-year, fixed-rate first mortgage. For those with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), the loan includes reduced mortgage insurance (MI) premiums. Borrowers with incomes above 80% of the AMI will be subject to standard mortgage insurance rates.

Loan Purpose

  • Purchases only. Refinances are not eligible.

  • Assumptions permitted only on GOVT by a qualified borrower satisfying First Time Homebuyer requirements, income, and purchase limits at time of assumption.

  • Construction to Permanent loans are NOT permitted.

FICO Score

  • Minimum 640 for ALL loan types.

  • DU Blended FICOS are not permitted.

  • MH and manual underwrites require a minimum 660.

Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratios

  • Maximum 50% DTI with AUS A/E.

  • Maximum 43% with manual underwrites.

  • Maximum DTI with manufactured housing (MH) is 45%.

Property Type

  • Attached / Detached 1-Unit Dwelling (Includes Townhomes).

  • 2—4 Unit Properties - Borrower(s), must occupy one of the units as their primary residence.

  • Condos - Single Unit approval permitted for FHA.

  • Manufactured Housing - Modular housing is permitted. 1994 and newer only.

Note: Prepayments is permitted at any time without penalty.

Eligibility Requirements

The property being purchased must serve as the borrower’s primary residence, and the borrower must be a Florida resident. The home must be owner-occupied, with the borrower planning to move in within 60 days of closing.

  • Paystubs showing a consistent 40-hour workweek are acceptable for verifying full-time employment. If the paystubs do not reflect 40 hours, a written or verbal Verification of Employment (VOE) or a letter from the employer confirming full-time status will be required.

  • For self-employed borrowers, a letter from a CPA, bookkeeper, or tax preparer must be provided to confirm that the borrower is working full-time. Please note that a Letter of Explanation (LOX) from the borrower alone is not sufficient.


As prohibited by federal law, we do not engage in business practices that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (provided you have the capacity to enter into a binding contract), because all or part of your income may be derived from any public assistance program, or because you have, in good faith, exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The federal agency that administers our compliance with these federal laws is the Federal Trade Commission, Equal Credit Opportunity, Washington, DC, 20580.

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