Florida Housing's Hometown Heroes (HTH) Loan Program

The Florida Housing's Hometown Heroes (HTH) Loan Program is a commendable initiative aimed at making homeownership more accessible and affordable for eligible community heroes in the state. This program is designed to show appreciation and support for the invaluable service provided by these individuals, who selflessly contribute to the well-being of their communities.

Eligible heroes under the HTH Loan Program include first responders, educators, healthcare professionals, and military personnel. These dedicated individuals often face financial challenges when considering homeownership, and the HTH program seeks to alleviate some of these burdens.

The program offers various benefits to qualified applicants, making the dream of owning a home within reach. One of the key advantages is the provision of down payment and closing cost assistance, which helps reduce the upfront financial requirements typically associated with buying a home. This support can make a significant difference for those seeking to purchase their first home and start building equity for their future.

To date, the HTH Loan Program has achieved remarkable success in supporting numerous eligible first-time borrowers residing and working in Florida. Due to its overwhelming success, the HTH funds are being rapidly depleted. Ever since the introduction of HTH 2.0 on July 3, 2023, which added an extra $100 million in assistance, over $51 million has already been committed to applicants. At this rate, we anticipate that the HTH funds will be fully allocated within the next 4-6 weeks. Unfortunately, it is uncertain when further funding will become available for this program, and it is unlikely to happen in the near future.

However, it's important to note that Florida Housing provides additional options for down payment assistance through our standard BOND and TBA Programs. These programs continue to offer a variety of first mortgage options, including FHA, USDA-RD, VA, Fannie Mae (HFA Preferred), and Freddie Mac (HFA Advantage), each with their respective down payment assistance options.

We strongly encourage you to explore these first mortgage programs and the accompanying down payment assistance to determine which best suits your needs and eligibility. While the HTH funds are currently limited, there are still viable alternatives to assist you in achieving your dream of homeownership.