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Osceola County · Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program

Buying a first home in Osceola County, Florida

Osceola has the same limits as Orange County: $172,350 under TBA, and $114,900 or $132,135 under Bond. Here's how it works in Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Poinciana.

SeatKissimmee
Residents481,718
Income cap, 3+$132,135
Price cap$566,354

The Osceola picture

The School District of Osceola County is the local school employer, and its full-time staff qualify. Public safety staff at the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, Osceola County Fire Rescue, Kissimmee Police and St. Cloud Police also qualify.

Buyers in Poinciana and Buenaventura Lakes can pair the program with an FHA, VA, USDA or conventional first mortgage. On a $280,000 loan the assistance would be $14,000.

Celebration buyers may run into the $566,354 Bond price limit. The TBA option avoids it. Either way, you repay the second mortgage when you sell, refinance or move out.

Caps that apply in Osceola County

Income cap, 1 or 2 peopleIncome cap, 3 or morePrice cap
$114,900$132,135$566,354

Osceola County's Bond limits are $114,900 and $132,135 with a $566,354 price cap; its TBA limit is $172,350. Compare with the statewide table or run the budget calculator.

Local employers whose staff can qualify

  • School District of Osceola County
  • Osceola County Sheriff's Office
  • Osceola County Fire Rescue
  • Kissimmee Police Department
  • St. Cloud Police Department

Full-time healthcare workers at Osceola hospitals and clinics qualify as well, along with licensed child care staff. The eligible jobs list has the full set of roles.

Local money in Osceola 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.

Central Florida Homebuyer's Dream / Housing Opportunities Program

Taking applications

Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake Counties

Amount
Up to $10,000 (FHA/VA/USDA Dream program); $7,500 conventional (0% 30-year deferred)
Kind of help
Deferred loan, due at sale or refinance
Who it's for
Buyers using the OCHFA first mortgage
Income cap
Conventional limited to 80% AMI; see OCHFA limits
Also note
Dream program requires first-time buyer; conventional Housing Opportunities Program has no first-time requirement; FICO 640

Lock rates on 11/6/2026: FHA/VA/USDA 6.875%, conventional 7.500%.

Checked against the official page, November 2026. How we fact-check

Read our full write-upCheck whether I fit

Purchase Assistance / Down Payment Assistance (SHIP)

Paused for now

Osceola County and City of St. Cloud

Amount
LHAP 2025-28: very low $125,000; low $105,000; moderate $75,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time buyers ≤120% AMI (Orlando-Kissimmee MSA)
Income cap
120% AMI
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
$1,000 equity contribution; apply via Neighborly when reopened

Page: not accepting applications at this time. LHAP terms: 0% deferred, 10-year, 20% forgiven per year in years 6-10.

Checked against the official page, November 2026. How we fact-check

Check whether I fit

The full statewide list is on every Florida program.

Homebuyer classes near Osceola County

Nearly every down payment program makes you finish a homebuyer class before closing. These HUD-approved agencies around Osceola County teach one or offer one-on-one counseling before you buy.

AgencyBased inHow farWhat they offerLanguagesHow they meet
Community Housing Initiative, IncMelbourne29 mihomebuyer education class, pre-purchase counselingEnglishPhone
Incharge Debt SolutionsOrlando34 mihomebuyer education class, pre-purchase counselingEnglish, SpanishFace to Face, Phone, Internet
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc.Orlando37 mihomebuyer education class, pre-purchase counselingEnglish, SpanishFace to Face, Phone, Internet
Catholic Charities of Central FloridaOrlando37 mihomebuyer education class, pre-purchase counselingEnglish, SpanishFace to Face, Phone, Internet
Consumer Debt Counselors, IncWinter Park39 mihomebuyer education class, pre-purchase counselingEnglishFace to Face, Phone, Internet

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

Osceola County, asked and answered

Can I use a USDA loan with Hometown Heroes?

Yes. USDA is one of the eligible first mortgage types, along with FHA, VA and conventional.

What's the income limit in Kissimmee?

Osceola County uses $172,350 under TBA, or $114,900 and $132,135 under Bond.

Do St. Cloud police officers qualify?

Yes, if employed full-time.

Nearby guides: Miami-Dade · Broward · Palm Beach · Hillsborough · Orange · Duval · Pinellas · Lee. Or browse all counties.