Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program

Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program to first-time buyers in Florida: up to 5% of the home loan, at most $35,000, as a deferred loan.

Amount: Up to 5% of the home loan, at most $35,000
Kind of help: Deferred loan
First-time buyers only: Yes
Credit score: 640 or higher

How is Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program paid back?

Deferred loan: 0% loan with no monthly payments for up to 30 years, never forgiven. You repay it when you sell, refinance, move out or give the home to someone else.

A deferred loan costs nothing each month, but the whole amount is due when you sell, refinance or pay off the first mortgage.

Who qualifies for Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program?

Must be within the 2026 Hometown Hero income and loan limits chart.
Only for first-time buyers (usually no home owned in the past three years).
A credit score of 640 or higher.
It comes with an FHA, VA, RD (USDA) or Conventional first mortgage through the Hometown Heroes program.

Most limits follow your county and household size. Our HUD income limits lookup shows your area's median income and where your household sits.

How to apply for Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program

Florida Housing Finance Corporation pays this help out through its approved lenders, so you apply with one of them, together with your home loan.
The lender checks your income, credit and the home against the program's rules and reserves the money for you.
The help is paid at closing, toward your down payment and closing costs.

Read the full rules and whether it is taking applications on Florida Housing Finance Corporation's page for Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program, or pick a lender from the agency's list of participating lenders.

Ask a lender about Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program

Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Florida's programs can tell you whether Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program fits you, and what you could combine with it.

Call 866-602-7460

Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.

Other first-time buyer programs in Florida

Florida Assist (FL Assist): up to $10,000, deferred loan.
Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage: up to $12,500, repayable loan.
Florida 3%, 4% and 5% HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS Second Mortgage: up to 5% of the home loan, forgivable loan.

All Florida first-time home buyer programs · Down payment assistance in every state