THE FLORIDA HOMETOWN HEROES HOUSING PROGRAM
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program makes homeownership affordable for eligible frontline community workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans.
This program provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers so they can purchase a primary residence in the community in which they work and serve. The Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program also offers a lower first mortgage rate and additional special benefits to those who have served and continue to serve their country.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Eligible full-time workforce, employed by a Florida-based employer can receive lower than market interest rates on an FHA, VA, RD, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac first mortgage, reduced upfront fees, no origination points or discount points and down payment and closing cost assistance.
Borrowers can receive up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount (maximum of $35,000) in down payment and closing cost assistance.
Down payment and closing cost assistance is available in the form of a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. This second mortgage becomes due and payable, in full, upon sale of the property, refinancing of the first mortgage, transfer of deed or if the homeowner no longer occupies the property as his/her primary residence. The Florida Hometown Heroes loan is not forgivable.
Eligable Occupations
• Sworn Law Enforcement Officer
• Certified Correction Officer
• Correctional Probation Officer
• Juvenile Detention Officer or Juvenile Probation Officer
• Firefighter
• Certified Paramedic
• Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• 911 Public Safety Communicator
• Certified K-12 Educators to include:
o Classroom Teacher
o Career Specialist
o Librarian/Media Specialist
o School Counselor
o Social Worker
o School Psychologist
• Licensed or Registered Childcare Operator (Owner of Childcare Facility)
• Childcare Instructor (employed by a LICENSED childcare facility or LICENSED or REGISTERED home childcare provider).
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Certified Nurse Midwife
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN)
• Home Health Aide (employed by a LICENSED home health agency)
• Health Care Practitioner to include:
o Physician
o Physician Assistant
o Anesthesiologist
• Anesthesiologist Assistant
• Psychiatrist
• Certified Medical Assistant
• Acupuncturist
• Osteopathic Physician
• Chiropractic Physician
• Certified Chiropractic Physician’s Assistant
• Podiatrict Physician
• Certified Podiatric X-Ray Assistant
• Naturopathic Physician
• Pharmacist
• Nuclear Pharmacist
• Pharmacy Technician
• Dentist/Dental Hygienist/Dental Assistant
• Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist (Including Assistants)
• Nursing Home Administrator
• Occupational therapist or Occupational Therapist Assistant/Aide
• Certified Respiratory Therapist
• Registered Respiratory Therapist
• Licensed Dietician or Nutritionist
• Licensed Nutrition Counselor
• Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist
• Dietetic Technician
• Athletic Trainer
• Prosthetist
• Orthotist
• Prosthetist Orthotist
• Pedorthist
• Prosthetist
• Orthotic Fitter/Orthotic Fitter Assistant
• Electrologist
• Massage Therapist
• Clinical Laboratory personnel to include:
o Laboratory Director
o Supervisor
o Technologist
o Blood-Gas Analyst
o Laboratory Testing Technician
• Phlebotomist (employed as a full-time phlebotomist and has successfully completed and accredited phlebotomy course)
• Licensed Medical Physicist (Radiologic, which works with diagnostic application and safe use of x-rays, ultrasonic radiation or magnetic fields)
• Certified Basic X-Ray Machine Operator
• Certified Radiologic Technologist
• Certified Radiology Assistant
• Certified General Radiographer
• Specialty Technologist (Radiologic)
• Genetic Counselor
• Optician
• Certified Optometrist
• Hearing Aid Specialist (Including Trainee)
• Physical Therapist/Physical Therapist Assistant
• Psychologist
• Clinical Social Worker
• Marriage & Family Therapist
• Mental Health Counselor
• Child Protective Services; Enforcement/Adult Protective Services; Enforcement
• Veterinarian
• Veterinarian Assistant or Technician *(employed by a permanent or mobile veterinary practice)
• Active Military Personnel
• Veterans
• Law Enforcement Officers eligible under the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program
• Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Include:
o FBI
o US Department of Homeland Security
o US Drug Enforcement Agency
o Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
o US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• Assistant Public Defender
• Assistant State Attorney
• Assistant Living Facility Administrator
For More Information, Visit Hometown Heroes
