Florida ‘Heroes Housing’ Program to Help Teachers, Law Enforcement Buy First House

May 23, 2022 Updated 10:30 A.M. ET

CAPE CORAL (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a program to help teachers and officials like law enforcement, paramedics and correctional officers buy their first homes. 

DeSantis announced $100 million for Florida’s Hometown Heroes Housing Program. The high cost of living in Florida makes it difficult for first responders to live near their work so they end up driving long periods of time one-way.

“If you’re somebody that is here serving our community in those vital roles, you now have the ability through our Hometown Heroes program to get assistance to be able to purchase that first home now, to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country,” DeSantis said.

The program will provide downpayment and closing cost assistance to more than 50 different professions when buying their first home.

The Governor said those eligible include all sworn law enforcement officers in Florida, paramedics, firefighters, EMTs, 911 operators, correctional operators, probation officers, juvenile detention officers, teachers, childcare operators, daycare instructors, registered nurses, home health aides and health care practitioners. 

Military veterans, surviving spouses of deceased veterans, and all active duty service members can receive help through the program even if it is not their first house.

“We want to make sure that those frontline workers, people we consider to be Hometown Heroes are able to not only work and serve the community, but do so where they’re able to afford things like buying their first home,” DeSantis said.

Floridians can begin applying June 1st for the program but the money won’t be available until July. More than 1,000 lenders will be ready to help people needing assistance from the program.