Florida Hometown Heroes Program: Up to $35,000 | MVP Home Group
Funding is live: released July 13, 2026

Up to $35,000 toward your first home.

Florida's Hometown Heroes program covers down payment and closing costs for the people who serve their community: nurses, teachers, first responders, law enforcement, childcare workers, veterans, and more. Funds are first come, first served.

Check My Eligibility → See How It Works

Book a private strategy call with Nelson. We'll confirm eligibility and next steps live.

$35,000Max Assistance
0%Interest Rate
$0Monthly Payment
$50MNew Funding · July 13

01 · The Program

What is Hometown Heroes?

A Florida state program that helps the people who hold this state together become homeowners in the communities they serve.

Who It's For

Florida workers who serve their community: healthcare, education, first responders, military, law enforcement, childcare, and court employees.

What It Does

Provides down payment and closing cost assistance to help income-qualified first-time homebuyers purchase a primary residence.

Who Runs It

Administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Funds are released annually on a first-come, first-served basis.

02 · Your Timeline

From our conversation today to keys in hand.

This isn't a someday plan. Here's what the next couple of months actually look like.

Today

Buyer Consultation

Confirm eligibility, discuss goals, connect with lender.

Week 1

Pre-Approval

Lender pulls credit, reviews income, confirms HTH eligibility.

Week 1–3

Home Search

Find homes that fit your criteria and budget.

Week 3–4

Offer and Contract

Write a strong offer and negotiate on your behalf.

Week 4

HTH Funds Reserved

Lender locks rate and reserves your assistance.

Week 8–10

Closing Day

You get the keys. New chapter begins.

Start My Timeline: Do I Qualify?

03 · The Wall

The paycheck serves everyone. The savings account suffers.

You work full-time serving this community, and the down payment is still the wall between you and owning a home. On a $300,000 purchase with an FHA loan, here's what that wall actually looks like, and what Hometown Heroes does to it:

Without Hometown Heroes

Down Payment (3.5%)$10,500
Closing Costs (est.)$6,000
Total Cash Needed$16,500

With Hometown Heroes

Down Payment (3.5%)$10,500
Closing Costs (est.)$6,000
HTH Assistance– $15,000
Total Cash Needed$1,500*

*Exact amounts vary. Example uses $15,000 in assistance. Your lender will calculate your specific benefit: up to 5% of the first mortgage (max $35,000, minimum $10,000).

04 · Do You Qualify?

Six questions. All six need to be yes.

Tap each one that's true for you. Be honest. We'll verify everything together on your call.

Are you employed full-time (not part-time or contract)?

Is your employer Florida-based?

Does your job title fall within an eligible occupation category?

Are you a “first-time” homebuyer? In this program that means you haven't owned the home you lived in for the past 3 years, even if you've owned before.

Is your household income within the limit for your county?

Will this home be your primary residence?

0 of 6 checked If YES to all six, you're likely eligible. We'll confirm on your consult.

05 · Who Qualifies

7 eligible occupation categories.

Straight from the official Florida Housing occupation list. Tap a card to see example job titles. The lists say “including but not limited to,” so if you're close, ask.

01Full-time · FL employer

Healthcare Workers

Nurses, doctors, therapists, pharmacists, technicians, mental health workers.

See example titles ▾
RN, LPN, APRN, CNA, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife · ER / CT / X-ray / pharmacy / surgical technicians, sonographers, phlebotomists · physical, occupational, respiratory & speech therapists · physicians, dentists, physician assistants, pharmacists · psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, case managers · dental assistants & hygienists, medical assistants, patient care assistants. Employer must be a Florida-based healthcare provider, hospital, assisted living, mental health, or healthcare facility.
02K-12 schools

School Staff Members

Teachers, principals, counselors, support staff.

See example titles ▾
Classroom teachers & teacher aides, principals & assistant principals, guidance counselors, school psychologists, social workers, librarians / media specialists, cafeteria staff, maintenance & janitorial staff. Any full-time employee of a Florida-based K-12 public, private, charter, or magnet school.
03Fire & EMS

First Responders

EMTs, paramedics, firefighters.

See example titles ▾
Certified EMTs, certified paramedics, and firefighters employed full-time by a Florida-based fire department, ambulance service, or hospital.
04Law enforcement

Public Safety Workers

Law enforcement, 911 dispatchers, corrections.

See example titles ▾
Sworn law enforcement officers (local, state, or federal), 911 public safety communicators, correctional officers, correctional & juvenile probation officers, juvenile detention officers. Employer: Florida-based law enforcement department, juvenile detention or correctional facility, or emergency operations center.
05FL courts

Court Employees

Attorneys (FL courts), court clerks, stenographers.

See example titles ▾
Assistant state attorneys, assistant public defenders, court clerks, attorneys and court stenographers employed by the FL Supreme Court, District Courts of Appeal, circuit courts, or a county court in Florida, including the State Attorney's and Public Defender's offices.
06Licensed facilities

Childcare Workers

Licensed child care and home day care.

See example titles ▾
Any worker at a Florida-based licensed child care facility, or at a licensed or registered home day care. That's the whole team, not just lead teachers.
07All branches

Military & Veterans

Active duty, reserve, FL National Guard, veterans.

See example titles ▾
All active duty or reserve service members of every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the FL National Guard. Veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions qualify when employed full-time with a Florida-based employer.
★

Don't see your title?

The official lists are “examples include, but not limited to.” A 15-minute call settles it.

Only ONE borrower on the loan needs to qualify.

06 · Straight Talk

This program is not for everyone.

Better you know in two minutes than two months. Here's the honest split.

Hometown Heroes IS for you if…

  • ✓You work full-time for a Florida-based employer in an eligible occupation
  • ✓You're a first-time buyer, or haven't owned a primary home in the last 3 years (veterans may be exempt)
  • ✓Your household income is within your county's limit
  • ✓You'll live in the home as your primary residence
  • ✓You're ready to move in the next 1–3 months, while funds last

It's NOT for you if…

  • ✗You work part-time, contract, or 1099-only
  • ✗Your employer is based outside Florida
  • ✗You're buying an investment property, second home, or vacation rental
  • ✗You currently own the home you live in and don't meet an exception
  • ✗You want to wait. This funding round is first come, first served

07 · Your Guide

Why work with MVP Home Group?

I'm Nelson Cruz, founder and team leader of MVP Home Group, brokered by Real. Hometown Heroes only works if someone actually walks you through it: eligibility, lender, funds reservation, closing. That's the job.

Marketing-First ApproachWe treat every transaction like a marketing campaign, because the right exposure gets you results.
Relationship DrivenWe're not here for one deal. We're here to become your real estate partner for life.
Expert GuidanceFrom first showing to closing table, we walk you through every step so you're never guessing.
Central Florida ExpertsOrlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Lake Nona, Celebration and beyond. We know this market.
Mission. Vision. Purpose.Everything we do is grounded in service: to our clients, our community, and each other.
Brokered by RealBacked by one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the country, with industry-leading tools and support.

08 · Real Results

Heroes who stopped renting.

Real 5-star reviews, straight from Google. Tap any card to read the original post.

★★★★★ Google Review

“The Dream Team!” “If you are looking for a realtor who is professional, dedicated, and a true advocate for your best interests, go with Nelson and the MVP Home Group. We are so grateful to soon be in our new home!”

Read the full review on Google →
L
L RayVerified 5-star Google review
★★★★★ Google Review

“Highly recommend!” “Throughout our home-buying process, Nelson was incredibly communicative… From negotiating the asking price to handling paperwork, everything was streamlined.”

Read the full review on Google →
A
Anthony MatosVerified 5-star Google review
★★★★★ Google Review

“Such an amazing company and team!” “I couldn't be more thankful for their awesome help and support throughout my first time home purchase!”

Read the full review on Google →
A
Asia GrajalesVerified 5-star Google review · first-time buyer

09 · The Offer

Everything you get. What it costs you.

Florida Hometown Heroes · with MVP Home Group

The Hero Homebuyer Package

✓Up to $35,000 toward down payment & closing costs (5% of first mortgage, $10,000 minimum)
✓0% interest, $0 monthly payment: 30-year deferred second mortgage, no origination or discount points
✓Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional first mortgages at lower-than-market program rates
✓Private 15-minute eligibility call with Nelson: yes or no before you spend a dime or a weekend
✓Trusted HTH-experienced lender introduction to confirm your exact benefit and reserve your funds
✓Full buyer representation from home search to closing table with the MVP Home Group team

Your cost to find out if you qualify

$0 (15 minutes on Zoom)

Check My Eligibility Now →

Assistance funds are released by Florida Housing on a first-come, first-served basis. The current $50M round opened July 13, 2026, and previous rounds have run out. Buyer's agent services subject to a written agreement; the HTH program itself is administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, not MVP Home Group.

10 · FAQ

The one thing to know and everything else.

Is this free money, a grant?▾
No, and you should hear that plainly. It's a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. You pay it back when you sell the property, refinance the first mortgage, transfer ownership, or stop living there as your primary home. The upside: while you live in the home, it costs you nothing. No interest. No payments.
How much assistance would I actually get?▾
Up to 5% of your first mortgage amount (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) applied to your down payment and closing costs. Your lender calculates your exact figure based on your loan.
What counts as a "first-time homebuyer"?▾
Generally, not having owned and occupied a primary residence in the last three years. There are qualifying exceptions, including for veterans. If you're unsure which side of the line you're on, that's exactly what the eligibility call is for.
My job title isn't on the list. Am I out?▾
Not necessarily. The official occupation lists say "examples include, but not limited to." What matters is your occupation category, full-time status, and a Florida-based employer, and only ONE borrower on the loan needs to qualify. Bring your exact job title to the call and we'll check it against the current lender guide.
Do I need perfect credit?▾
No. Hometown Heroes pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loans, each with its own credit requirements. FHA in particular works for buyers with lower scores or limited savings. Your lender determines the best fit based on your credit, income, and goals.
How fast do the funds run out?▾
Funds are released annually and reserved first-come, first-served. The current round of $50 million opened July 13, 2026, and previous allocations have been exhausted before year-end. Once your lender reserves your assistance, it's locked for you. That's why the order is: eligibility call → pre-approval → funds reserved.
What does the call with Nelson cost?▾
Nothing. It's a 15-minute Zoom conversation: we confirm your eligibility against the six criteria, answer your questions, and if it makes sense, connect you with an HTH-experienced lender. If you don't qualify, you'll know that too, and what would need to change.
Still Have Questions? Ask Nelson Live →

The Bottom Line

You've served this community.
This is Florida serving you back.

15 minutes on Zoom tells you if $10,000–$35,000 in assistance has your name on it. Funds are first come, first served, and this round won't last forever.

Private Zoom call with Nelson Cruz · No cost · No obligation

MVP Home Group | Real Broker LLC

Nelson Cruz, P.A.

MVP Home Group, Real Broker LLC

407-901-9939  ·  [email protected]  ·  mvphomegroup.com

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Program terms, income limits, and funding availability are subject to change without notice and vary by county. Assistance is provided as a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage and is repayable upon sale, refinance, transfer of deed, or when the home is no longer your primary residence. Nelson Cruz and MVP Home Group are not lenders and do not determine final program eligibility; final eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by a participating lender and Florida Housing. Equal Housing Opportunity.