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.
- First responder programs run by states
- 5 programs across 5 states
- Biggest amount still open
- $35,000, Florida
- HUD Good Neighbor Next Door
- You pay 50% less than the list price
First responder programs run by states
| Program | State | Amount | Grant or loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program. Florida Housing Finance Corporation | Florida | You can get up to 5% of the home loan, but no more than $35,000. | Deferred loan |
| Utah First-time Homebuyer Law Enforcement Officer Assistance Program. Utah law enforcement and correctional officers only. | Utah | Up to $25,000. Funds used up | Grant |
| Georgia Dream Loan Program - Protectors, Educators & Nurses (PEN). Eligibility is limited to active military members and public protectors. Educators, healthcare providers and workers in these industries also qualify. | Georgia | As much as 6% of the price, capped at $12,500. | Repayable loan |
| Delaware Diamonds Home Loan. Eligibility is limited to veterans and first responders. Essential workers in education and in medical fields also qualify. | Delaware | Up to $10,000 | Forgivable loan |
| Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program. Eligibility is limited to military veterans, firefighters and police officers. Teachers and educators qualify too, as do EMS personnel, county jailers and corrections officers. | Texas | Up to 5% of the home loan | Grant or forgivable loan |
You'll find the income limit, credit score and application steps on each program's own page. First responders in every other state have access to the first-time buyer assistance available to everyone: choose your state or compare every state.
Good Neighbor Next Door gives police, firefighters and EMTs 50% off a HUD home
Who qualifies: full-time law enforcement officers must be sworn to make arrests. They and full-time firefighters and full-time emergency medical technicians must work for a tribal, local, state or federal government and serve the home's area.
- HUD cuts the home's list price by 50%.
- A home qualifies only if it's a HUD-owned single family home in HUD's revitalization areas. The program offers each for seven days. Homes come and go every week, and not many are available.
- For 36 months you must own the home, live in it as your only home and confirm each year that you're still there.
- The discount comes with a second mortgage that you sign. You owe no interest and make no payments on this second mortgage. Once the three years end, HUD releases it when you've kept the rules.
- If more than one buyer offers on the same home, a random lottery decides which one HUD picks.
- Start with the HUD listings for your state. Then follow the steps to apply and send your interest in one specific home.
Source pages: HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door program page and the revitalization areas page. You'll find the homes on the HUD Home Store.
Talk with a lender who handles first responder programs
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.
Prefer not to call? Share your details and the lender will contact you.