Florida teachers, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and hundreds of other community workers can now pair the Florida Hometown Heroes down payment assistance program with a conventional loan — putting significantly less cash out of pocket at closing. This guide explains exactly how Hometown Heroes works with conventional loans, who qualifies, how much DPA you can receive, and what the real numbers look like on a Florida home purchase.
I'm Joe Pistone, Originating Branch Manager at CrossCountry Mortgage (NMLS# 2087918). I close Hometown Heroes loans alongside conventional loans across all 67 Florida counties. If you're a first-time buyer in a qualifying profession, this program can be a game-changer — but it has specific requirements and income limits that vary by county. Let me break it all down.
What Is the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
Florida Hometown Heroes is a down payment assistance (DPA) program administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It was created to help Florida's essential workforce — teachers, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement, childcare workers, and many others — afford homeownership in the communities where they serve.
The core benefit is a second mortgage equal to up to 5% of your first mortgage loan amount, with:
- 0% interest rate — no interest accrues on the DPA
- Deferred payments — no monthly payment required on the second mortgage
- No repayment until you sell the home, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage
- Maximum DPA of $35,000
The second mortgage can be used for the down payment, closing costs, or a combination of both — giving Florida's frontline workers a meaningful financial bridge into homeownership.
How Hometown Heroes Works with a Conventional Loan
Hometown Heroes is compatible with several first mortgage types — including conventional (Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac), FHA, VA, and USDA loans. For the purpose of this guide, we're focusing on the conventional loan pairing, which is often the most advantageous path for buyers with credit scores of 680 or above.
The Structure: First Mortgage + Second Mortgage (DPA)
When you use Hometown Heroes with a conventional loan, you're taking two loans simultaneously:
- First Mortgage: A conventional loan (Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac) for the bulk of the purchase price. Minimum 5% down payment required from your own funds or the DPA. You need a minimum 640 credit score for conventional Hometown Heroes loans.
- Second Mortgage (DPA): Up to 5% of the first mortgage amount provided by Florida Housing as a deferred, 0% interest second mortgage. No monthly payment. Becomes due when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first loan.
Real Dollar Example: $400,000 Florida Home
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $400,000 | Florida home — primary residence |
| First Mortgage (Conv.) | $380,000 | 5% down = $20,000 from buyer or DPA |
| Hometown Heroes DPA (5%) | $19,000 | 5% of $380,000 first mortgage · 0% interest · Deferred |
| Buyer's Own Cash Needed | ~$1,000–$5,000 | DPA covers most of down payment; buyer covers remainder + closing costs |
| Monthly Payment on DPA | $0 | No payment until sale, refi, or payoff |
Exact amounts vary based on first mortgage rate, loan terms, and closing cost structure. Closing costs for a conventional loan in Florida typically range from $6,000–$12,000 and are not fully covered by the DPA in all cases. Contact Joe for a detailed breakdown on your specific purchase.
Who Qualifies for Hometown Heroes with a Conventional Loan?
The 240+ Qualifying Professions
Hometown Heroes is not limited to a handful of job types. The program covers over 240 qualifying professions across Florida's essential workforce. Broad categories include:
This is not an exhaustive list. Florida Housing maintains the complete list of eligible occupations. The fastest way to confirm whether your profession qualifies is a quick call to Joe Pistone — we verify eligibility as the first step of the process.
Core Qualification Requirements
- Occupation: Must work full-time for a Florida-based employer in a qualifying profession
- First-time homebuyer: No ownership interest in a primary residence in the past 3 years (military members may be exempt from this requirement)
- Credit score: Minimum 640 for conventional Hometown Heroes loans
- DTI ratio: Maximum 45% debt-to-income ratio
- Income limits: Must be at or below the county-specific income limit (see table below)
- Primary residence only: Must intend to occupy the home as primary residence
- Homebuyer education: Must complete an approved online homebuyer education course
- Down payment: Minimum 5% required (DPA can cover this)
2026 Income Limits — Key Florida Counties
| County | 1–2 Person Household | 3+ Person Household |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough (Tampa) | ~$128,250 | ~$147,488 |
| Pinellas (St. Pete/Clearwater) | ~$128,250 | ~$147,488 |
| Sarasota | ~$128,250 | ~$147,488 |
| Orange (Orlando) | ~$128,250 | ~$147,488 |
| Miami-Dade | ~$128,250 | ~$147,488 |
| Palm Beach | ~$128,250 | ~$147,488 |
| Collier (Naples) | ~$150,000+ | ~$172,500+ |
| Duval (Jacksonville) | ~$128,250 | ~$147,488 |
Income limits are set annually by Florida Housing Finance Corporation and vary by county and household size. Confirm current limits with Joe Pistone for your specific county.
Hometown Heroes + Conventional Loan vs. Other Loan Types
The Hometown Heroes program works with multiple first mortgage products. Here's how the conventional option compares when paired with the DPA:
| Factor | Hometown Heroes + Conventional | Hometown Heroes + FHA | Hometown Heroes + VA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Credit Score | 640 | 640 | 640 |
| Min. Down Payment | 5% (DPA can cover) | 3.5% (DPA can cover) | 0% (VA = no down payment) |
| Mortgage Insurance | PMI (until 80% LTV) | MIP — life of loan (if <10% down) | None (no PMI ever) |
| Upfront MIP/Fee | None | 1.75% of loan (financed) | VA Funding Fee (varies) |
| Best For | Credit 680+, lower long-term cost | Credit 640–679, lower scores | Veterans — best overall package |
For Hometown Heroes participants with credit scores of 680 or above, the conventional option generally produces lower total costs over the loan term because PMI cancels at 80% LTV (unlike FHA MIP which lasts the life of the loan if you put down less than 10%).
For a comprehensive look at the full Hometown Heroes program including all eligible loan types, see the complete Florida Hometown Heroes guide at FloridaFHALoan.com.
Veterans using Hometown Heroes with a VA loan get the best possible combination — zero down payment, no PMI ever, and DPA available for closing costs. Learn how VA loans interact with DPA programs and funding fee exemptions for Florida veterans.
Florida Housing periodically pauses the Hometown Heroes program when funding runs out — then reopens it as new allocations become available. Timing matters. Call Joe at (941) 260-3051 to check current program availability and get your application in before funding closes. We process Hometown Heroes loans across all 67 Florida counties.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
- Confirm your profession qualifies. Call or email Joe Pistone. We verify eligible professions daily and can confirm in minutes whether your occupation is on the approved list.
- Check income limits for your county. Income limits vary by county and household size. Joe will run a quick check against the current Florida Housing income schedule for your area.
- Start your mortgage application. Submit your application through CrossCountry Mortgage. Joe personally reviews every Hometown Heroes file and handles the lender coordination with Florida Housing.
- Complete homebuyer education. All Hometown Heroes borrowers must complete an approved online homebuyer education course. Most take 6–8 hours and can be done at your own pace. Joe will point you to an approved provider.
- Get pre-approved and start shopping. Once your file is reviewed and program eligibility confirmed, you'll receive a pre-approval letter specifying both the first mortgage and Hometown Heroes DPA amounts. This makes you a credible buyer in Florida's competitive market.
- Close your loan. Joe coordinates the first and second mortgage simultaneously so both close together. The DPA funds are wired at closing — no out-of-pocket transfer required from you.
See If You Qualify for Hometown Heroes + Conventional
Check your profession, income, and credit eligibility in a single 5-minute conversation. Apply now and Joe personally calls within 60 seconds — or $500 off your closing costs.
Joe Pistone, NMLS# 2087918 · CrossCountry Mortgage · Licensed in Florida · All 67 Counties
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Hometown Heroes
- Waiting when funding is open. Hometown Heroes funding is limited. When the allocation runs out, the program temporarily closes. Don't wait — apply as soon as you're ready to buy.
- Assuming any lender can originate it. Not all lenders are approved to originate Hometown Heroes loans. CrossCountry Mortgage is a participating lender, and Joe handles these files regularly.
- Ignoring the income limit. If your household income exceeds the county limit, you won't qualify — even if your profession is on the list. This is the most common disqualifier.
- Skipping homebuyer education early. The education course must be completed before you can close. Start it early so it doesn't delay your closing date.
- Using the DPA for a non-primary residence. Hometown Heroes is for primary residences only. It cannot be used on investment properties or vacation homes.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hometown Heroes + Conventional Loan
Ready to Use Hometown Heroes + Conventional?
Apply in minutes and Joe personally calls within 60 seconds — or $500 off your closing costs. Check your profession and income eligibility today.
Joe Pistone · NMLS# 2087918 · CrossCountry Mortgage · (941) 260-3051