My father served as a sheriff’s deputy in Polk County for 28 years…. Some of my earliest memories are of him picking me up from school in his patrol car and driving on hot days out to Twistee Treat to get ice cream or taking me to the park.
My friends always thought it was the coolest thing to get driven around in a police car. I myself wasn’t fully aware of how dangerous his job could potentially be but I did understand that he worked tirelessly to provide for his family and to serve his community, sometimes receiving very little respect and limited pay. We were a paycheck-to-paycheck family and it was only after I became an adult, I found out that my father had borrowed money from his parents in order to make the down payment necessary for our 1st home after we had been renting for 7 years.
Did you know that there is a program right here in Lakeland that is dedicated to helping frontline workers become homeowners? It’s called Hometown Heroes and was set up to offer payment assistance with the closing or down payment costs up to 5% or $25,000 with 0 interest for 50 different front-line professions such as law enforcement and active military, veterans, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, public educators, school counselors, daycare owners, registered nurses, HHAs, CNAs, psychiatrists, dental hygienists, speech pathologists and so many more. Florida Housing received $100 million dollars from the state legislature and since its launch on June 1st, 2022, Hometown Heroes has already provided a total of about 12 million in financial assistance to families across the state.
(For a look at the full list of acceptable professions, click the link below
If such a program had existed when my father was in law enforcement, he would have been in a better position of achieving his goal of providing a stable home for his family without having to borrow the money. In this present economy, having the added stress of saving for a down payment on a home can be extremely frustrating so programs like these that make buying a home affordable for hardworking individuals serving our community are long overdue. Because he worked in a field that was so unpredictable, providing a space that was safe and secure for his children where they could grow, learn and play while forming friendships and creating happy memories was an extremely important accomplishment for my Dad, both as a parent and as an officer of the law. He wanted us to have what most parents want their children to have: A backyard to play in, our own rooms, lasting friendships, and a place that we could call home. That stability and security that he was able to provide, was something I carried with me throughout my own life and brought to my own family. He taught me strength, the importance of family, and the value of hard work.
If you live and work in Florida, you will also need a credit score of at least 640, verification of full-time employment and you will need to be a first-time homebuyer. Some of the buying options available would be; single-family homes, condos, mobile homes, and some multi-family properties. Individuals who qualify will need to partner with an approved lender who works directly with the Hometown Heroes program. If you feel like this program is the right fit for you and/or your family and would like to find out more information please feel free to contact me at the email listed down below. I would love to connect with you and walk you through the sometimes intimidating process of purchasing a new home. Together, I believe, we can find the perfect home for you and your family. Thanks for reading and I look forward to having you back here again, for A Taste of Real Estate.
Email @ [email protected] -Realtor at KELLER WILLIAMS SMART.
Also please feel free to check out my Youtube Channel @ActorRealtorChristopherHill
Where I do this brand new segment called Lakeland Experience where I highlight some of the famous landmarks of this big small town and showcase some perks of living in this beautiful city. https://youtu.be/1z2Kj49Q0tI
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Chris, that is an awesome dedication to your father. I know he appreciates it. Glad to hear your son, Finn, is doing greatly. And your life seems to be getting better everyday. Best wishes to you and family.
Respectfully, Mr.Kelly.