Imagine getting up to $35,000 toward your down payment and closing costs simply because of the career you've chosen.
If you're a teacher, nurse, firefighter, law enforcement officer, military member, childcare professional, or another eligible community worker, that opportunity may be just around the corner.
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is expected to reopen on July 13, 2026, and if history repeats itself, funding could disappear quickly. The buyers who prepare now will likely have the best chance of securing assistance.
What Is the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program?
Buying a home in the Florida Keys can feel out of reach for many hardworking professionals. The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program was created to help bridge that gap by providing eligible buyers with financial assistance toward their down payment and closing costs.
The program is expected to reopen on July 13, 2026, with an additional $50 million in funding available statewide. Eligible buyers may receive assistance of up to 5% of their loan amount, capped at $35,000. Because previous funding rounds were exhausted quickly, preparing before the program opens is one of the smartest things prospective buyers can do.
Who May Qualify?
The program is designed to support many of the people who keep our communities running every day. Eligible professions may include:
- Teachers and school employees
- Healthcare professionals
- Firefighters and EMTs
- Law enforcement officers
- Active military members and veterans
- Childcare professionals
- Court employees
- Public safety personnel
- Other qualifying community workers
Eligibility requirements, income limits, purchase price limits, and approved occupations are established by Florida Housing and should always be confirmed with a participating lender.
How to Prepare Before July 13
Funding is awarded on a first come, first served basis, making preparation essential. If you think you may qualify, now is the time to speak with a lender who participates in the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program.
Some helpful questions to ask include:
- Do you participate in the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program?
- Are you accepting prequalification applications before July 13?
- What documents should I gather now?
- What are the current income and purchase price limits for Monroe County?
Having your financing in place before the program opens could significantly improve your chances of securing available funding.
Local Lenders Who May Be Able to Help
If you're planning to use the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program, speaking with a participating lender before the July 13 launch can give you a significant advantage. Here are several mortgage professionals serving Key West and the Lower Florida Keys:
- Keys Financial Mortgage Corp.
- Southernmost Financial Corp.
- Florida Keys Mortgage | Fidelity Home Group
- Heather Roberts | First Horizon Bank
- Dan Blagriff | Centennial Bank
You can also learn more directly through the official Florida Housing website:
https://www.floridahousing.org/live-local-act/hometown-heroes-program
Who You Work With Matters
Programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program can create incredible opportunities, but they also move quickly and require preparation. Having the right lender, understanding the requirements, and working with a local real estate team that knows the Key West and Lower Florida Keys market can help make the home buying process much smoother.
Whether you are purchasing your first home or looking for your next chapter in the Florida Keys, we are here to help guide you every step of the way.
Who You Work With Matters,
THE SPOTTSWOOD TEAM
Terri Spottswood, John Spottswood, Ted Stewart
305-432-4848
[email protected]
Truman & Co. Real Estate
