Hometown Heroes Is Open For 2026: Up To $35,000 Toward Your First Home π
If you're an RBT driving between sessions in Miami-Dade, a BCBA, a nurse at a PPEC, or a teacher at an autism school, Florida has a homebuying benefit for you, and the 2026 round is open now.
The Hometown Heroes Program gives up to $35,000 toward down payment and closing costs on a first home. It's 5% of your loan amount, $10,000 minimum, a second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payment, repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home.
Eligibility runs on who employs you, not your title. Behavioral health specialists, technicians, and therapists are on the list, so are speech and occupational therapists, staff at licensed healthcare facilities like PPECs, and employees of Florida K-12 schools, private and charter included, teacher, aide, or front office. You work full-time at a Florida location and generally can't have owned a home in the past 3 years, waived for veterans.
The catch is timing. The 2026 round opened with $50 million, first come first served, projected to last into early 2027, though it can run out sooner. Funds get reserved through a participating lender, so a ready file puts you in line.
If you want a lender who runs these files every week, reply to this email and I'll connect you. And if someone on your team is renting when they could be buying, forward them this issue.
Victor Antunez
Real Estate Professional π Autism Dadvocate
PS. Got a housing question, benefits, timing, whether a move even makes sense? Text or call me. You'll get a straight answer you can plan around.
PSS. If you know a family trying to figure out housing around a child's needs, send them my way. They'll get someone who speaks their language from day 1.