Is the Florida Hometown Heroes assistance a grant?

No. The assistance comes in the form of a deferred second mortgage at zero percent interest, meaning you will need to repay it under certain conditions rather than receiving it as free money. Repayment is typically triggered when you sell, refinance, or no longer occupy the home as your primary residence.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to use Hometown Heroes?

The program does include a first-time homebuyer requirement for most buyers, though active-duty military and veterans may qualify under different terms. If you have owned a home in the past three years, speaking with a loan originator such as Jim Blackburn, NMLS #1072866, could help clarify whether you still qualify.

Can I use the program with any type of first mortgage?

The Hometown Heroes second mortgage must be paired with an approved first mortgage product through a participating lender. Not every loan type is compatible, so confirming your first mortgage options early in the process is important.

How long does it take to get Hometown Heroes funds reserved?

Program funds are made available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved once you have a ratified purchase contract and an approved first mortgage. The timeline varies depending on program availability and how quickly your file is complete.

What happens to my second mortgage if I refinance?

In most cases, refinancing your first mortgage will trigger repayment of the deferred second mortgage. It is worth discussing this scenario with your loan originator before refinancing so you can plan accordingly.

Does my employer have to verify my occupation for the program?

Yes. You will need to document your employment in an eligible occupation, which for law enforcement typically means providing proof of current employment such as a pay stub or employer letter. Your loan originator will walk you through exactly what is needed.

Can I use Hometown Heroes to buy a home anywhere in Florida?

The program applies to primary residences purchased anywhere in Florida, including throughout Alachua County. The home must be your primary residence, not a second home or investment property.

Hometown Heroes Down Payment Help for Alachua County Police

Hometown Heroes › Blog › Hometown Heroes Down Payment Help for Alachua County Police

Yes, police officers in Florida may qualify for down payment and closing cost assistance through the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program. Law enforcement is among the eligible occupations listed under this state program, which offers a deferred second mortgage — meaning repayable under specific conditions, not a grant — that can be paired with a first mortgage to help cover upfront homebuying costs. Officers buying a home in Alachua County could potentially use this assistance.

What is the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is a state-administered initiative designed to help frontline and community workers purchase homes in Florida. It provides a zero-percent, deferred second mortgage — a subordinate loan with no monthly payment that is repaid when you sell, refinance, or move out of the home — to help cover down payment and closing costs when paired with an eligible first mortgage. Stairway Mortgage is not the official program administrator; this site helps frontline workers understand and access the program alongside their first mortgage.

The program is open to workers in a wide range of occupations, and checking whether your specific role qualifies is a useful first step before going further in the process.

Can police officers in Alachua County qualify for this program?

Police officers employed in Florida, including those working in Alachua County cities such as Gainesville, may qualify for this assistance if they meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Law enforcement is one of the named eligible occupations, which means full-time sworn officers, deputies, and similar roles could be eligible.

Alachua County has seen consistent demand for public safety staffing, and conversations around police recruitment have highlighted a broader reality: the financial barriers to homeownership — especially in communities where officers serve — can make it harder to attract and retain local talent. Programs like this one exist in part to address that gap.

Eligibility involves more than just occupation. You would also need to meet income limits, purchase a home that meets program requirements, and use the assistance for a primary residence within Florida.

What are the eligibility requirements for law enforcement?

To potentially qualify as a law enforcement officer, you would generally need to meet all of the following:

Be employed full-time in an eligible law enforcement role in Florida
Meet the program’s household income limits for your county
Be purchasing a primary residence — not a second home or investment property
Meet first-time homebuyer requirements (with some exceptions)
Work with a participating lender to secure an approved first mortgage product
Complete a homebuyer education course if required

Because income limits and purchase price caps vary by county, what applies in Alachua County may differ from other parts of the state. Reviewing income limit guidance specific to your situation is worth doing early.

How does using Hometown Heroes work in Alachua County?

In Alachua County, the process follows the same general steps as the rest of Florida, but local market conditions do shape how the program fits your situation. Gainesville and surrounding communities in the county span a range of home price points, and the assistance amount you may receive through the program is tied to your first mortgage amount.

Here is a general overview of how the process tends to work:

Confirm your occupation qualifies. Law enforcement is listed, but your specific role and employer may need to be verified.
Check income eligibility. Program income limits are based on area median income and vary by county.
Get pre-qualified for a first mortgage. The second mortgage must be paired with an approved first mortgage product.
Find a home and go under contract. The program applies to the purchase of a primary residence.
Reserve your program funds. Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis once your file is in order.
Close on your home. The deferred second mortgage is recorded alongside your first mortgage at closing.

Working with a loan originator who understands this program can help avoid delays. Jim Blackburn, NMLS #1072866, works with frontline workers in the Alachua County area and can help guide you through each step.

What should police officers watch out for during the process?

A few common points of confusion are worth addressing before you get started.

First, the assistance is not free money. The deferred second mortgage will need to be repaid when you sell the home, refinance, or no longer occupy it as your primary residence. Planning around that future obligation matters.

Second, program funds can run out. Allocations are made available on a first-come, first-served basis during each funding cycle, so acting when you are ready — rather than waiting — may work in your favor.

Third, not every lender participates in this program. You need to work with an approved participating lender who can originate both the first mortgage and coordinate the second mortgage. This is not something every mortgage company handles.

You can explore county-specific housing programs across Florida to see if there are additional resources that might stack with or complement Hometown Heroes in Alachua County.

How can a loan originator help me use this program?

Navigating the program on your own is possible, but working with someone who has direct experience with it tends to make the process smoother. Jim Blackburn, NMLS #1072866, at Stairway Mortgage in Fort Lauderdale works with Florida frontline workers — including law enforcement — and helps buyers understand how the program works alongside a first mortgage.

Having someone review your full picture — income, occupation documentation, first mortgage options, and Alachua County-specific considerations — could help you understand what you may qualify for before you are under the pressure of a contract timeline.

If you are a police officer in the Gainesville area or elsewhere in Alachua County and want to understand whether this program might work for your situation, Talk to Our Team or See My Options to get the conversation started.

For more guides on how the Florida Hometown Heroes program works across different occupations and counties, visit our blog.