Home buyer grants for first responders
Police officers, firefighters and EMTs can use HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door discount on some HUD homes, and several states run programs of their own for first responders.
- State programs for first responders
- 5 in 5 states
- Largest open amount
- $35,000, Florida
- HUD Good Neighbor Next Door
- 50% off the list price
State programs for first responders
| Program | State | Amount | Grant or loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program. Florida Housing Finance Corporation | Florida | Up to 5% of the home loan, at most $35,000 | Deferred loan |
| Utah First-time Homebuyer Law Enforcement Officer Assistance Program. Only for Utah law enforcement and correctional officers. | Utah | Up to $25,000. Funds used up | Grant |
| Georgia Dream Loan Program - Protectors, Educators & Nurses (PEN). Only for public protectors, educators, healthcare providers, workers in these industries, and active military. | Georgia | Up to 6% of the price, at most $12,500 | Repayable loan |
| Delaware Diamonds Home Loan. Only for essential workers in education and medical fields, first responders, and veterans. | Delaware | Up to $10,000 | Forgivable loan |
| Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program. Only for teachers and educators, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, county jailers, corrections officers, and military veterans. | Texas | Up to 5% of the home loan | Grant or forgivable loan |
Each program's own page gives its income limit, credit score and how to apply. In every other state, first responders can use the same first-time buyer help as everyone else: pick your state or compare all states.
Good Neighbor Next Door: 50% off a HUD home for police, firefighters and EMTs
Who can use it: Full-time law enforcement officers sworn to make arrests, and full-time firefighters and emergency medical technicians of a federal, state, local or tribal government, serving the area where the home is.
- HUD takes 50% off the list price of the home.
- Only HUD-owned single family homes in HUD's revitalization areas qualify, and each one is offered through the program for seven days. The list changes every week and the supply is small.
- You must own the home and live in it as your only home for 36 months, and confirm every year that you still live there.
- You sign a second mortgage for the discount. It has no interest and no payments, and HUD releases it after the three years if you kept the rules.
- When more than one buyer sends an offer on the same home, HUD picks the buyer by random lottery.
- To apply, check the HUD homes listed for your state and follow the steps to send your interest in a specific home.
From HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door page and its revitalization areas page. The homes are listed on the HUD Home Store.
Talk to a lender that works with programs for first responders
Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with your state's programs can tell you which ones fit you, including any for first responders.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.