First responders, teachers, veterans can receive home-buying help
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program, designed to help Floridians in over 50 critical professions, like first responders, purchase their first home, goes into effect this month.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the launch last week. It was a top priority of Florida Realtors® this year. In short, the program is available to law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans to assist them with the purchase of their first home. A full list of qualified occupations and job titles can be found here under "Find Out If Your Are Eligible." Applications will be accepted starting Wednesday, June 1.
“In Florida, we value the contributions of our police, firefighters, teachers, and nurses,” DeSantis said at the program's unveiling last week. “Our hometown heroes are the backbone of Florida communities and making sure that they can afford to be homeowners is a great way to give back to them and support the future of the American Dream.”
“The appreciation for our “Hometown Heroes” — police, firefighters, teachers, and nurses — and their contributions to the community has only increased over the recent challenging years. We are proud to assist them in their journey to homeownership and the American dream, just as they support the community in our times of need,” said Cheryl Grieb, Osceola Commissioner and Chair of Public Policy for the Osceola County Association of REALTORS®.
“Florida’s booming real estate market has begun to price out our hometown heroes from living in the communities in which they serve,” said Sen. Ed Hooper (R-Clearwater). “That is why I filed this bill, to help our hometown heroes accomplish the American dream of owning a home. These workers are incredibly courageous and, throughout the pandemic, they have kept us safe, cared for our families and educated our children. I think it’s extremely important to give them the assistance to purchase a home given the sacrifices they make every day.”
Florida Housing received $100 million from the state Legislature in this fiscal year's budget to establish and administer the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program.
