Florida’s Grants for First-Time Buyers & Storm Protection

Get Up to $35K Toward Buying Your First Home — Plus $10K to Protect Your Current Home from Hurricanes

Florida is offering two incredible programs in 2025 that could help you save big, whether you're buying your first home or looking to protect the one you already own. Below, you'll find an in-depth breakdown of the Hometown Heroes Program and the My Safe Florida Home Grant, including eligibility, benefits, timelines, action steps, and helpful resources.

🦸‍♂️ Hometown Heroes Program — Up to $35,000 in Down Payment Assistance for First-Time Buyers

🏆 Purpose:

The Hometown Heroes Program is designed to help Florida’s frontline and essential workers become homeowners. It removes financial barriers like down payments and closing costs by offering a second mortgage at 0% interest that only needs to be paid back if you refinance, sell, or pay off your first loan.

✅ Who Qualifies?

To qualify, you must:

• Work full-time (35+ hours per week) for a Florida-based employer

• Be employed in one of the approved frontline occupations, including:

  • 👩‍⚕️ Healthcare Workers

    Employees at hospitals, healthcare providers, assisted living or mental health facilities.

    Examples:

  • Nursing: RN, LPN, CNA, APRN, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife

  • Medical Technicians: CT Technician, X-ray Technician, ER Tech, Sonographer, Lab Tech, Surgical Tech, Pharmacy Tech

  • Medical Therapists: Occupational, Physical, Speech, Respiratory, Audiology Therapists

  • Physicians & Pharmacists: Doctor, Dentist, Anesthesiologist, Pharmacist, Optician, Physician Assistant

  • Mental Health Professionals: Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Behavioral Therapist, Social Worker

  • Other Healthcare Roles: Acupuncturist, Home Health Aide, Medical Assistant, Massage Therapist, Genetic Counselor

  • ---

    🏫 School Staff Members

    Employees of public, private, charter, or magnet K–12 schools.

    Examples:

  • Teacher

  • Principal / Assistant Principal

  • Teacher Aide

  • Librarian / Media Specialist

  • Guidance Counselor

  • School Psychologist

  • School Social Worker

  • Janitorial / Maintenance Staff

  • Food Service / Cafeteria Staff

  • ---

    🚑 First Responders

    Employed by Florida-based fire departments, hospitals, or ambulance services.

    Examples:

  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

  • Firefighter

  • Paramedic

  • ---

    🚓 Public Safety Workers

    Employed by law enforcement departments, detention or correctional facilities, or emergency operations centers.

    Examples:

  • Law Enforcement Officer (Local, State, or Federal)

  • Correction Officer

  • Juvenile Probation/Detention Officer

  • ---

    ⚖️ Court Employees

    Employed by Florida-based courts, court admin offices, or State Attorney/Public Defender’s Office.

    Examples:

  • Judge

  • Attorney

  • Assistant State Attorney

  • Assistant Public Defender

  • Court Clerk

  • Court Reporter / Stenographer

  • ---

    👶 Child Care Workers

    Employed at licensed or registered Florida-based child care centers or family day care homes.

    Examples:

  • Childcare Teacher

  • Childcare Aide

  • Workers at licensed or exempt childcare facilities (per Florida statutes 402.301–402.316)

  • ---

    🎖 Military Members

    Active-duty service members of:

  • U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force (including Reserves)

  • U.S. Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve

  • Florida National Guard (Air or Army)

  • ---

    🪖 Veterans

    Veterans employed full-time by a Florida-based employer who have been discharged under honorable or general conditions from the above-listed military branches.

  • 911 Dispatcher

  • Child/Adult Protective Services Enforcement

  • Correctional Probation Officer

💰 What You Get:

• Up to 5% of the home’s first mortgage amount to cover down payment and closing costs, capped at $35,000

• A 0% interest, non-amortizing second mortgage

  • No monthly payments

  • Payable only if you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage

📋 Eligibility Requirements:

• First-time homebuyer: You haven’t owned a home in the past 3 years

  • Exception: Veterans may qualify even if they previously owned a home

• Primary residence: You must live in the home full-time

• Credit score:

  • Minimum 640 for standard homes

  • Minimum 660 for manufactured homes

• Income: Your income must fall below the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county. Each county has its own income limits.

• Education requirement: You must complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course

  • Recommended option: Fannie Mae HomeView – free and online

  • Other courses typically range from $45–$99

• Approved lender: You must work with a Florida Housing-approved lender

• Agent and lender training required: Your real estate agent and lender must be certified by FHFC to handle Hometown Heroes applications

📆 Timeline:

• Funding opens: August 18, 2025

• Total state funding: $50 million

• Funds are distributed first-come, first-served

🧭 Action Steps:

1. Check your job title against the approved occupations list

2. Get pre-approved with a Florida Housing-approved lender

3. Confirm your agent and lender are trained under the 2025 program

4. Complete the homebuyer education course and save the certificate

5. Gather documents (pay stubs, tax returns, ID, credit report)

6. Be ready to apply on or immediately after August 18, 2025

🏠 My Safe Florida Home — Up to $10,000 in Grants for Hurricane-Resistant Upgrades

🌪 Why This Program Exists:

This grant helps Floridians protect their homes against future storm damage and possibly reduce their insurance premiums. Hurricane damage is a major concern for homeowners, especially in high-risk areas like Southwest Florida. These upgrades can improve safety and home value.

🛠 What You Get:

• A FREE wind mitigation inspection conducted by a certified professional

• Up to $10,000 in grant money for approved hurricane-resistant improvements:

  • Impact-rated windows and doors

  • Storm-rated garage doors

  • Roof-to-wall reinforcements

  • Secondary water barriers

  • Roof bracing, anchoring, or fastening upgrades

• The grant is a $2-to-$1 match — the state gives $2 for every $1 you spend

  • For low-income homeowners, the full $10,000 is provided with no match required

📋 Who Qualifies:

• Must own a site-built, single-family home or townhouse

• The home must have a homestead exemption

• The home should be built before January 1, 2008

• The home should be insured for $700,000 or less

  • Exceptions for low-income applicants may apply

• Upgrades must be performed by a licensed Florida contractor

• Home must pass a final inspection after upgrades are complete

🗓 Application Opens in Stages:

🧭 Action Steps:

1. Go to: MySafeFLHome.com

2. Complete the eligibility survey

3. Upload documents (proof of age, income, homestead exemption)

4. Schedule your free inspection

5. Get quotes from licensed contractors

6. Apply immediately when your eligibility group opens

📊 Side-by-Side Program Comparison

⏳ Why You Should Act Fast

• Funds are limited. Once the money runs out, no more applications will be accepted

• High demand is expected for both programs, especially for Hometown Heroes which has reduced funding this year

• These programs help with upfront costs, long-term savings, and property protection

• New tools make applying easier than ever, especially if you work with trained professionals

🧭 What to Do Next

If You’re a Buyer:

• Confirm you’re in an approved occupation

• Connect with a trained agent and lender

• Complete your homebuyer education course

• Prepare to apply on August 18

If You’re a Homeowner:

• Register at MySafeFLHome.com

• Complete the eligibility survey

• Schedule your inspection and collect quotes

• Apply when your group’s window opens

Need help navigating either program? We can help walk you through the process, connect you to trusted lenders and contractors, or answer any questions.

Let’s get you started!

Learn more here - including the full list of who qualifies: Hometown Heroes Occupations Approved | Florida Realtors