A statewide program launching on June 1 will help Florida residents in over 50 critical professions, including first responders and teachers, to purchase their first home.

The $100 million Hometown Heroes Housing Program will be available to law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans.

The program provides assistance with down payments, closing costs, and a lower mortgage rate to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers to purchase a home in the community where they work.

Borrowers can receive up to 5% of the loan amount-up to $25,000-in assistance. Limits on income and the price of the house are determined by the specific county.

The program will expand Florida's existing housing programs to reach critical workers and those who have served our country. Governor Ron DeSantis also intends to expand the total earmarked by the Legislature in the upcoming budget to $363 million appropriated for affordable and workforce housing-the highest total in 15 years.

"Our hometown heroes are the backbone of Florida communities and making sure that they can afford to be homeowners is a great way to give back to them and support the future of the American Dream," said DeSantis.

"I have been a teacher for 25 years," said Melba Lugo, who works at Mid Cape Global Academy. "I want to thank all of these people that have made this possible. Owning a house seemed like such a distant, far away dream."

Funds will be available to reserve starting June 1, which coincides with National Homeownership Month.

To qualify for this program, homebuyers must connect with a participating loan officer, have a minimum credit score of 640, and meet the income threshold for their county.

If you are not a first-time homebuyer, you may still be eligible to participate if you are purchasing a home in a federally designated targeted area or if you are a qualified veteran.

For more information, visit the Florida Housing webpage for Hometown Heroes.