Hometown Heroes Program Results from 2022
The Florida Governor Announces Hometown Heroes Program Has Provided $100 Million in Down Payment Assistance to Florida’s Hometown Workers
On June 16th 2023, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Hometown Heroes program has provided $100 million in down payment and closing cost assistance to help Florida’s hometown workers purchase homes in the communities they serve. Since June 2022 the program has helped 6,753 veterans, active-duty military members, nurses, teachers, and law enforcement officers purchase homes for their families.
Being that this program impactect so many family in a great way, the Florida Legislature allocated additional funding for the program through the Live Local Act. On July 1, the Hometown Heroes program will receive $100 million for the 2023–2024 fiscal year to continue assisting Florida families in purchasing their first home. The maximum down payment assistance amount will increase to $35,000 from $25,000, or up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount. There is also a new minimum award amount of $10,000 for properties below the purchase price of $200,000. To get started, homebuyers must connect with one of Florida Housing’s participating loan officers, have a minimum credit score of 640, be a first-time homebuyer, and earn less than 150% of the area median income, according to their local county data.