Florida Hometown Heroes in Polk County, Florida
Hometown Heroes gives up to 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000), for down payment and closing costs (0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage). In Polk County the income limit is $148,050 (FHA, VA or HFA Advantage first mortgage, any household size) and $119,850 (USDA first mortgage, any household size), per Florida Housing Finance Corporation's limits table (see the effective-date note below).
Program status, checked November 14, 2026
Funding status unclear
The agency's February 27, 2026 release said all funding for the 2025-2026 fiscal year was committed. Its Hometown Heroes page does not say whether new funding is available. Ask a participating lender before you count on it.
Florida Assist: A separate Florida Housing second mortgage of up to $10,000. No pause or out-of-funds notice appears on the agency's homebuyer page (checked November 14, 2026) source
Status source. Funding and pauses change without notice; confirm with a participating lender.
Hometown Heroes income limits in Polk County
| Household | Income limit |
|---|---|
| FHA, VA or HFA Advantage first mortgage, any household size | $148,050 |
| USDA first mortgage, any household size | $119,850 |
The agency's table prints one income limit for all household sizes.
Source: Florida Housing Finance Corporation limits table. Effective: Effective with reservations as of 5/06/2026 (Hometown Heroes TBA lender guide dated 6.30.26; PDF rev 7-13-2026).
What Hometown Heroes gives and the rules
Amount: Up to 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000), for down payment and closing costs.
Form: 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage; not forgivable; due in full on sale of the property, refinancing of the first mortgage, transfer of deed, or if the owner no longer occupies it as a primary residence.
- First-time buyer: required.
- Must pair with: A Florida Housing first mortgage: FHA, VA, USDA-RD or conventional (Freddie Mac HFA Advantage), per the 2026 limits table.
- Eligible borrowers: a person employed full-time by a Florida-based employer as a health care worker, school staff member, first responder, public safety or court employee, or child care worker; a servicemember of the U.S. military or reserves, the Coast Guard or its reserves, or the Florida National Guard; or a veteran employed full-time by a Florida-based employer (agency page, 2026).
- Participants must be employed full-time and currently employed by a Florida-based employer; only one borrower must qualify with an eligible employer (lender guide occupations list, 6.30.26).
- Veterans must have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions from an eligible branch (lender guide occupations list).
- Purpose: buy a primary residence in the community where the borrower works and serves; first mortgage has reduced upfront fees and no origination or discount points (agency page).
- There is no cost to apply.
How to apply
Through a Florida Housing approved participating lender, found with the agency's Lender and Real Estate Agent Locator. Find a participating lender
Check your household
These limits are set by Florida Housing Finance Corporation, not HUD. Polk County HUD income limits → Florida first-time buyer programs →
Frequently asked questions
What is the Hometown Heroes income limit in Polk County?
FHA, VA or HFA Advantage first mortgage, any household size: $148,050; USDA first mortgage, any household size: $119,850. The agency's table prints one income limit for all household sizes. Per Florida Housing Finance Corporation's limits table (Effective with reservations as of 5/06/2026 (Hometown Heroes TBA lender guide dated 6.30.26; PDF rev 7-13-2026)).
What is the Hometown Heroes purchase price limit in Polk County?
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation table this page uses lists no purchase price limit for Polk County. Loan limits as printed (no purchase price limit is published in the table): FHA loan limit 541287; conventional (HFA Advantage) and VA loan limit 832750.
Is Hometown Heroes open right now?
Funding status unclear. The agency's February 27, 2026 release said all funding for the 2025-2026 fiscal year was committed. Its Hometown Heroes page does not say whether new funding is available. Ask a participating lender before you count on it. Florida Assist: A separate Florida Housing second mortgage of up to $10,000. No pause or out-of-funds notice appears on the agency's homebuyer page. Checked November 14, 2026; confirm with a participating lender before you rely on it.
Sources
- 2026 Income & Maximum Loan Limits for TBA (effective with reservations as of 5/06/2026)
- Hometown Heroes program page
- Eligible employers and occupations (lender guide 6.30.26)
- Press release 2/27/2026: 2025-2026 funding committed
- Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Checked November 14, 2026. Every figure above is copied from the agency documents listed here; we do not compute or estimate limits.
Other counties for Hometown Heroes
General information, not lending advice. Program rules, limits and funding change; confirm with Florida Housing Finance Corporation and a participating lender.
Polk County overview