Pinellas County · Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Buying a first home in Pinellas County, Florida
Pinellas uses the same Tampa Bay limits as Hillsborough and Pasco: $172,050 under TBA, or $114,700 and $131,905 under Bond.
SeatClearwater
Residents948,563
Income cap, 3+$131,905
Price cap$566,354
The Pinellas picture
St. Petersburg and Clearwater anchor the county's eligible workforce. Pinellas County Schools staff qualify, and so do employees of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, St. Petersburg Police, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, Clearwater Police and Clearwater Fire & Rescue.
If you're eyeing a condo or townhome in Largo or Dunedin, it's eligible when the project meets agency guidelines. Ask your lender to check the project early.
The Bond price cap is $566,354. A Pinellas Park buyer on a $300,000 loan would get about $15,000, repaid later when the home is sold or refinanced.
Caps that apply in Pinellas County
Income cap, 1 or 2 people
Income cap, 3 or more
Price cap
$114,700
$131,905
$566,354
Pinellas County's Bond limits are $114,700 (1 to 2) and $131,905 (3+) with a $566,354 price cap, plus a $172,050 TBA limit. Compare with the statewide table or run the budget calculator.
Local employers whose staff can qualify
Pinellas County Schools
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
St. Petersburg Police Department
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue
Clearwater Police Department
Clearwater Fire & Rescue
Full-time workers at Pinellas hospitals, assisted living facilities and licensed day cares also meet the employer rule. The eligible jobs list has the full set of roles.
Local money in Pinellas 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.
Pinellas County (unincorporated and most cities; not St. Petersburg, Clearwater or Largo)
Amount
Up to $75,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
Low-income buyers (51-80% AMI)
Income cap
80% AMI: $64,250 (1), $91,750 (4)
Price cap
$394,000
Also note
8-hour HUD class + 1-hour counseling; liquid assets max $50,000; lender applies via portal; UPCS inspection
Reopened 12/1/2025; terms updated 8/1/2026. 0% deferred, forgiven after 30 years (full repayment if sold earlier). FY26-27 SHIP NOFA: $3,466,056 expected; applications July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029 or until spent.
20% of sales price plus $5,000 closing costs, up to $75,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time buyers inside city limits up to 140% AMI
Income cap
Up to 140% AMI (81-140% funding limited)
Price cap
$544,233
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
1% of price contribution; HUD-approved class; home inspection; homestead exemption; lender applies via Neighborly
Page: SHIP DPA closed to new applications due to limited funding; the CRA (South St. Petersburg CRA) DPA program is open. ≤80% AMI loans forgiven after 10 years. Priority to ≤80% AMI, special needs, and essential services personnel.
Nearly every down payment program makes you finish a homebuyer class before closing. These HUD-approved agencies around Pinellas 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
Pinellas County, asked and answered
Can I use Hometown Heroes for a condo in Pinellas?
Yes, if the condo meets agency guidelines. Your lender checks the project.
How much would a $300,000 loan get me?
5% is $15,000. Your lender confirms the exact figure.
Do Clearwater Fire & Rescue employees qualify?
Yes. Full-time firefighters, EMTs and paramedics at a Florida fire department are eligible.
Hi, I'm Lisa. See if you're eligible for down payment assistance in Florida. I'll walk you through six quick questions, and you'll see your result before you leave the page.
