Florida Hometown Heroes Income Limits
Do you exceed the income cap? You might still qualify. The income limits work differently depending on which loan structure you use — and understanding the difference could save your eligibility.
This guide provides the complete 2025 county-by-county income limits and breaks down exactly how these caps are calculated, what counts toward them, and how to determine if you qualify even when your total earnings exceed the published threshold.
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2025 Income Limits by County
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program income limits vary significantly by county. Use the table below to find your county's specific limits for 2025.
How to read this table:
- FHA/VA/HFA Income Limits: Used for FHA, VA, HFA Preferred Heroes, and HFA Advantage Heroes loans
- USDA-RD Income Limits: Separate (lower) limits for USDA Rural Development loans
- Loan Limits: Maximum mortgage amount allowed under the program
TBA Income Limits 2025 — All 67 Counties
Official list from Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Limits effective 2025.
| County | FHA/VA/HFA Limit | USDA-RD (1-4 Person) | USDA-RD (5+ Person) | FHA Loan Limit | VA/HFA Loan Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua | $156,000 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Baker | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $580,750 | $806,500 |
| Bay | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Bradford | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Brevard | $149,850 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Broward | $172,950 | $121,400 | $160,250 | $654,350 | $806,500 |
| Calhoun | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Charlotte | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Citrus | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Clay | $153,750 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $564,650 | $806,500 |
| Collier | $170,400 | $119,950 | $158,350 | $764,750 | $806,500 |
| Columbia | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| De Soto | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Dixie | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Duval | $153,750 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $580,750 | $806,500 |
| Escambia | $147,150 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Flagler | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Franklin | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Gadsden | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Gilchrist | $156,000 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Glades | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Gulf | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Hamilton | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Hardee | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Hendry | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Hernando | $156,450 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Highlands | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Hillsborough | $156,450 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Holmes | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Indian River | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Jackson | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Jefferson | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Lafayette | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Lake | $158,100 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Lee | $153,300 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Leon | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Levy | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Liberty | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Madison | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Manatee | $161,400 | $115,600 | $152,600 | $547,400 | $806,500 |
| Marion | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Martin | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $596,850 | $806,500 |
| Miami-Dade | $185,850 | $130,500 | $172,250 | $654,350 | $806,500 |
| Monroe | $195,450 | $137,200 | $181,150 | $967,150 | $806,500 |
| Nassau | $153,750 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $580,750 | $806,500 |
| Okaloosa | $153,000 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $603,750 | $806,500 |
| Okeechobee | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Orange | $158,100 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Osceola | $158,100 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Palm Beach | $175,350 | $123,100 | $162,500 | $654,350 | $806,500 |
| Pasco | $156,450 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Pinellas | $156,450 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Polk | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Putnam | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Santa Rosa | $147,150 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Sarasota | $161,400 | $115,600 | $152,600 | $547,400 | $806,500 |
| Seminole | $158,100 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| St. Johns | $153,750 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $580,750 | $806,500 |
| St. Lucie | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $596,850 | $806,500 |
| Sumter | $143,400 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Suwannee | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Taylor | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Union | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Volusia | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Wakulla | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| Walton | $148,350 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $603,750 | $806,500 |
| Washington | $142,950 | $112,450 | $148,450 | $524,225 | $806,500 |
Note: These are 2025 limits for the Hometown Heroes TBA (The Bond Alternative) program. Limits are updated periodically by Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Highest Income Limit Counties
If you're in one of Florida's higher-cost counties, you may qualify with a higher income:
Monroe (Keys)
$195,450 — highest in Florida
Miami-Dade
$185,850
Palm Beach
$175,350
Broward
$172,950
Collier (Naples)
$170,400
Manatee & Sarasota
$161,400 each
Most Common Income Limit
The majority of Florida counties have a baseline limit of $142,950 for FHA/VA/HFA loans, including popular areas like Leon (Tallahassee), Marion (Ocala), Polk (Lakeland), and Volusia (Daytona Beach).
TBA vs. Bond: How Income Limits Are Applied
The most critical distinction is which income actually counts toward the cap. Two program structures with different rules:
Hometown Heroes TBA (The Bond Alternative)
Income counted: Credit-qualifying (AUS) income only — the income actually used to approve your loan.
This is the more flexible option. If your loan can be approved using only your base salary, then only that qualifying income is measured against the limit.
Key advantage: If you earn $180,000 total but can qualify using base pay of $140,000, you may still be eligible if your county limit is $142,950 or higher.
Who's counted: Only borrowers on the note. Non-borrowing spouse income is not included.
- County income limit: $156,450
- Your total earnings: $180,000 ($150,000 base + $30,000 bonuses)
- Your qualifying income (base only): $150,000
- Result: ✅ Eligible under TBA — qualifying income ($150,000) is under the limit
Hometown Heroes Bond
Income counted: Household (Program/Compliance) Income — the combined current gross annual income of all occupants age 18+.
This version uses total household income, including all borrowers on the loan, non-purchasing spouses, and any other adults living in the home.
Important: Even income sources not needed for loan approval count toward the Bond income limit.
- County income limit: $156,450
- Your total household income: $180,000
- Result: ❌ Would NOT be eligible under Bond — total household income exceeds the limit
Can You Qualify If You Exceed the Limit?
This is the most common question, and the answer is: maybe, with TBA.
Real-World Example: Palm Beach County
County income limit: $175,350 (for FHA/VA/HFA loans)
Your total annual income: $195,000 (base salary $165,000 + bonuses/overtime $30,000)
What You Cannot Do
You cannot intentionally understate or hide income. All income must be properly documented. However, with TBA, income that isn't needed for loan qualification doesn't count toward the program limit.
Think of it this way: TBA measures "Can we approve this loan with income under the cap?" while Bond measures "What is this household's total income?"
Strategies to Stay Within Limits
If you're close to the income limits, consider these approaches:
Request TBA Loan Structure
Ask your lender to run your loan through Hometown Heroes TBA first. This gives you the best chance if variable income pushes you over.
Qualify on Base Pay Only
Work with your lender to structure the loan using only your guaranteed base salary.
Keep Non-Essential Borrowers Off the Loan
With TBA, a non-borrowing spouse's income isn't counted. Consider having only the lower-earning spouse on the loan (both can still be on title).
Consider Adjacent Counties
Miami-Dade ($185,850) vs Broward ($172,950); Palm Beach ($175,350) vs St. Lucie ($142,950); Monroe ($195,450) vs Collier ($170,400).
Time Your Application Strategically
If expecting a raise that would push you over, apply before your income increases. Once locked in, changes don't typically affect eligibility.
USDA-RD Income Limits Explained
If you're considering a USDA Rural Development loan, note that these have separate, lower income limits.
Standard USDA-RD Limits
Most counties: $112,450 (for 1-4 person households) or $148,450 (for 5+ person households)
Higher USDA-RD Limit Counties
- Monroe County: $137,200 / $181,150
- Miami-Dade County: $130,500 / $172,250
- Palm Beach County: $123,100 / $162,500
- Broward County: $121,400 / $160,250
- Collier County: $119,950 / $158,350
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just list a lower income amount to meet the limit?
No — you cannot misstate your income. However, with the TBA structure, if your loan can be approved using only base pay that falls within the limit, you may still qualify. Your lender must verify all income sources, but only qualifying (AUS) income counts toward the TBA cap.
What if my income is exactly at the limit?
You should still be eligible as long as you're at or below the published limit. Confirm with your lender whether they use "less than" or "less than or equal to" standards.
My county shows $142,950 — is that really the limit?
Yes. The majority of Florida counties use the baseline limit of $142,950 for FHA/VA/HFA loans. Higher-cost counties (Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Broward) have elevated limits based on area median income.
Do all Florida counties have the same income limit?
No. Income limits range from $142,950 (most counties) to $195,450 (Monroe County). The variation reflects differences in cost of living and area median income.
How often do income limits change?
Florida Housing updates income and purchase price limits periodically, typically annually. Always verify current limits before applying.
Does my spouse's income count if they're not on the loan?
With TBA: No, only borrowers on the note are counted.
With Bond: Yes, non-borrowing spouses' income is included in household income.
What if I'm self-employed?
Self-employed borrowers must provide additional documentation (business tax returns, profit/loss statements), but the same income counting rules apply.
Can I use a USDA loan in any Florida county?
No. USDA loans are only available in designated rural areas. Many suburban and all urban areas are ineligible.
What if I live on a county border — can I choose the higher limit?
No. The income limit is determined by where the property is located, not where you currently live. However, you can shop in counties with higher limits if that helps your eligibility.