This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s “Hometown Heroes” program is off to a quick start, offering more than $12 million for law enforcement officers, teachers, active duty members of the military, veterans and healthcare professionals for a down payment to buy a first home in the Sunshine State.
DeSantis said 843 families have received $12.1 million through the new program, which began at the start of June. The Legislature authorized $100 million for the Hometown Heroes program.
“Our law enforcement, first responders, nurses, and other hometown heroes work hard every day to take care of their communities,” said DeSantis. “I’m proud that we have been able to give back by helping 800 families buy their first home in the communities they serve, and I look forward to seeing this project grow to help thousands more in the coming months.”
“We’re extremely proud to share this milestone because it demonstrates how much the Hometown Heroes program is already helping hardworking Floridians throughout the state,” said Trey Price, the executive director of Florida Housing Finance Corporation. “In less than two months, we have provided hundreds of families with the necessary financial assistance to purchase their first home. We’re grateful to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their dedication to housing efforts and look forward to continuing to see the positive impacts of this program.”
The governor’s office offered some of the details on the program.
“The Hometown Heroes program provides Florida’s frontline community workers in more than 100 eligible professions with down payment and closing cost assistance to help purchase a primary residence in the communities where they work. Eligible homebuyers will receive up to 5 percent of their first mortgage loan amount (up to a maximum of $25,000) in down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a 0 percent, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. To qualify for this program, homebuyers must connect with one of Florida Housing’s participating loan officers, have a minimum credit score of 640, provide certification for one of the eligible occupations, and meet the income threshold for their county,” the governor’s office noted.
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