Hometown Heroes Occupations Approved
Applications for the 2025 Hometown Heroes Program should open Aug.18; My Safe Florida Home grants reopen today. Both were Florida Realtors’ 2025 legislative priorities.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Nurses, classroom teachers, social workers and public defenders are among the dozens of occupations approved Friday for the 2025 Hometown Heroes Program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to qualifying workers.
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), which administers the program, will hold two weeks of daily training sessions starting early August for loan officers, participating lenders and Realtor® partners to prepare for the new funding cycle. After the training period, loan reservations are expected to open to participating lenders on Aug. 18.
This year, Florida Realtors® successfully advocated for an additional $50 million in funding for the Hometown Heroes Program. In approving the new funding, the Florida Legislature also included “first-responder” occupation restrictions to ensure only those employed in certain occupations have a chance at obtaining the down payment and closing cost assistance.
See the list of approved occupations here.
Meanwhile, the My Safe Florida Home grant program reopens today (Monday, Aug. 4), offering homeowners funds to help harden their properties against storm damage. The program provides grants of up to $10,000 for qualifying wind mitigation upgrades to low-and moderate-income residents.
Together, these programs aim to support both homebuyers in critical occupations and existing homeowners seeking to protect their investments from Florida’s frequent storms. Realtors are encouraged to stay informed and ready to assist clients as these opportunities become available.
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