Orange County · Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Buying a first home in Orange County, Florida
Orange County's Hometown Heroes TBA limit is $172,350, shared with Seminole, Osceola and Lake. Here's what it means for buyers in Orlando, Apopka and Winter Garden.
SeatOrlando
Residents1,528,002
Income cap, 3+$132,135
Price cap$566,354
The Orange picture
Orange County Public Schools staff qualify, from classroom teachers to custodians. Law enforcement and fire roles are spread across the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Orlando Police, the Orlando Fire Department, Orange County Fire Rescue and Apopka Police.
If you're shopping in Ocoee or Winter Park, the Bond option caps the price at $566,354 and uses household-size limits of $114,900 (1 to 2 people) and $132,135 (3 or more). Those Bond figures count every adult in the house. TBA counts only the borrowers' income and has no price cap.
The help is a deferred second mortgage, so there's no extra monthly payment. Plan for repaying it when you eventually sell or refinance.
Caps that apply in Orange County
Income cap, 1 or 2 people
Income cap, 3 or more
Price cap
$114,900
$132,135
$566,354
Orange County uses Bond limits of $114,900 and $132,135 with a $566,354 price cap, and a TBA limit of $172,350. Compare with the statewide table or run the budget calculator.
Local employers whose staff can qualify
Orange County Public Schools
Orange County Sheriff's Office
Orlando Police Department
Orlando Fire Department
Orange County Fire Rescue
Apopka Police Department
Orlando hospital and physician-office staff, licensed child care workers and court employees can qualify too if they work full-time on site. The eligible jobs list has the full set of roles.
Local money in Orange County
County, city and employer programs here can sometimes sit behind the state loan, or replace it. Each has its own rules about combining, and a loan officer sorts out which ones fit together.
Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program
Paused for now
Orange County (unincorporated and cities without own program)
Pre-purchase homebuyer education; first mortgage required; apply via Neighborly portal
Temporary closure extended through March 2027 because the State has not yet disbursed SHIP funding; no new applications, new applicants waitlisted; anticipated reopening March 1, 2027; updated guidelines training late January 2027.
Nearly every down payment program makes you finish a homebuyer class before closing. These HUD-approved agencies around Orange County teach one or offer one-on-one counseling before you buy.
From HUD's list of housing counseling agencies. A given program may accept only certain classes.
Which class counts for you? Your loan officer knows which courses each Florida program accepts and can start your pre-approval in the same conversation. Start with the 2-minute check
Orange County, asked and answered
What is Orange County's Hometown Heroes income limit?
$172,350 for any household size under TBA. Under Bond, $114,900 for 1 to 2 people or $132,135 for 3 or more.
Do Orlando police officers qualify?
Yes. Full-time sworn officers at a Florida law enforcement agency meet the job rule.
Can I use Hometown Heroes for a townhome?
Yes. Townhomes and condos that meet agency guidelines are eligible, along with single-family homes.
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