Every American's Dream
There is no place like home.
Judy Garland said it and psychologist Abraham Maslow defined a home as one of the most basic human needs. Shelter, a home, a place where you feel safe, a place you long to come home to is the essence of which the American Dream is made. While this dream lives in the heart of most Americans, there is a disconnect between dreaming it and realizing it. That disconnect is usually money, a down payment. However, a recent change in the Hometown Heroes program is poised to close that gap.
Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance Program a Success
In June 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Hometown Heroes Program. Championed by Florida REALTORS®, the program was created to help workers, defined as hometown heroes to access funds so they could afford homes in the communities they serve.
Hometown Heroes are defined as :
- Law enforcement officers
- Certified correctional officers
- Probation officers
- 911 operators
- Firefighters
- Paramedics
- Emergency medical technicians
- Teachers
- Education administrators
- Health care professionals
The initial program was so successful that it helped approximately 6750 families, including veterans an active-duty military* members purchase a home.
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) governs the distribution of the funds.
Mike DiNapoli, Executive Director of Florida Housing Finance Corporation stated :
Florida Housing is proud to have assisted thousands of hometown heroes in achieving the American Dream of homeownership ... by providing more hardworking Floridians with a place to call home, we are helping to facilitate healthier family environments, build stronger communities, and improve local economic impact.
More Funds For More Homes
The program was so successful that through the Live Local Act, Florida legislators added $100 million more dollars to the program. The funds themselves will be a blessing to many, especially since now it is not limited to just heroes. The program is geared toward first time homebuyers. The maximum is $35K or up to 5% of the first mortgage loan.
Requirements to qualify :
The program was so successful that through the Live Local Act,
To qualify applicants must:
- have a minimum credit score of 640
- earn less than 150% of the area median income, according to their local county data
- be a first time homebuyer
Keep in mind these are the requirements to qualify for the down payment assistance and are not the same as the requirements a lender may have to approve financing.
Find Your Way Home
Funds will be distributed while they last. However, due to the expansion of the program to include all first time homebuyers funds are not expected to last, so it is important that those interested, act fast.
If you are one of the people that are ready to find their way home, fill out the form below to get started.
Down Payment Assistance Form
Fill out the form below, so I can connect you with a mortgage broker that can provide you with information about down payment assistance.