Florida Hometown Heroes DPA goes live August 18, 2025
The Florida Hometown Heroes (HTH) Housing Program released a significant boost that local workers in Florida won’t want to miss. The additional $50 million in funding this program received will allow aspiring Florida first-time homebuyers to apply for down payment assistance. Last year the program filled up quickly and had $100 million in funding, double this years funding. It is expected to go even quicker in 2025, so applicants should start the process as soon as possible. With rising housing prices, the down payment amount required to purchase a new home is also increasing. Due to this increase, many Floridians are getting priced out of the market. The Florida Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance program will make the dream of homeownership for local Florida workers more accessible, with up to $35,000 to use towards down payment and closing costs.
Who is eligible for Florida Hometown Heroes DPA?
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program was initially designed with Florida’s frontline heroes in mind.
To be eligible in 2025, applicants must be first-time homebuyers (haven’t owned a home in the last three years), with an exception for veterans, who can qualify regardless. You must be employed full-time (35+ hours/week) by a Florida-based employer and work in one of the approved occupations.
Eligible Occupations
- Healthcare worker
- School staff member
- Public safety employee
- Court employee
- Childcare worker
- First responder
- A servicemember of U.S. military or military reserves, U.S. Coast Guard or Florida National Guard or a Veteran employed by a Florida-based employer
How do I qualify for Florida Hometown Heroes DPA?
Are you concerned about whether your employment qualifies? You are eligible if you’re employed as one of the above occupations by a business with a physical presence in Florida—like Mortgage Equity Partners, which has offices here but is headquartered out of state.
Program Highlights:
- Eligibility for lower-than-market rates on FHA, VA, USDA/RD, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac First Mortgages.
- Down payment and closing cost assistance up to 5% of your first mortgage loan amount, maxing out at $35,000.
- Assistance is provided as a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage, which is repayable upon selling the property, refinancing the first mortgage, transferring the deed, or if the property is no longer your primary residence. Note that this loan is not forgivable.
To be eligible for Florida Hometown Heroes DPA:
- You must be a first-time homebuyer, which means no homeownership in the previous three years.
- Your income must not exceed 150% of your county’s Area Median Income (AMI), and your loan must meet your county’s loan limit requirements.
- Refinance transactions are not eligible for the FL Hometown Heroes Program.
- Borrowers must take an approved HUD homebuyer education course.
- Single-family residences, townhomes, and FHA-approved condo purchase transactions are eligible.
- Lot and land loans are not eligible for this program.
These funds are set to make a real impact for first-time homebuyers in Florida—but they won’t last forever. Planning is key. Reach out to an MEP loan officer today to find out how you can make the most of the new funds received in 2025 for The Florida Hometown Heroes. Don’t miss your chance to realize your homeownership dreams. Act now and take the first step towards your new home in the Sunshine State.
