Washington County Housing Program 2026: Down Payment Help for Local Heroes
Up to $35,000 from the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program, plus Washington County's own county assistance. Income limit here: $148,050.
Hometown Heroes › County Housing Programs › Washington County
Buying your first home in Washington County? If you hold an eligible job, the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program can cover part of your down payment and closing costs, and Washington County runs its own local program alongside it.
Washington County's income limit of $148,050 is shared with 30 other counties; 36 counties have a higher limit. On an FHA loan at Washington County's FHA maximum of $541,287, the 5% formula works out to $27,064 of assistance.
Income limit (FHA / VA / HFA)
$148,050
Income limit (USDA)
$119,850
Max loan, FHA
$541,287
Max loan, HFA / VA
$832,750
Hometown Heroes help
5% of first mortgage, $10,000 to $35,000
County seat
Chipley
Income limits: TBA funding option, effective May 6, 2026. Loan limits effective Jan 2, 2026. Source: Florida Housing Finance Corporation Hometown Heroes lender guide. Bond-funded limits may differ.
Same $148,050 limit: Bradford County, Calhoun County, Charlotte County, Citrus County and 26 more.
Hometown Heroes vs. the Washington County housing program
Florida Hometown Heroes (state)
A 0% interest deferred second mortgage worth 5% of your first mortgage, with no monthly payment. It is not forgiven: you repay it when you sell, refinance, pay off the first mortgage or move out. Funding is first come, first served through approved lenders. Read the full Hometown Heroes guide.
Washington County local assistance (SHIP-funded)
Each year Florida sends Washington County a share of State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds, at least $350,000. The county's housing office writes its own Local Housing Assistance Plan, which sets who qualifies, how much is offered and whether that help is forgiven over time.
Washington County government website · Florida Housing SHIP local contacts
Some buyers use both; others qualify for only one. The lender checks layering rules before anything is reserved.
Eligible jobs for Washington County buyers
You need a full-time job with a Florida-based employer in one of the program's eligible fields. Typical Washington County employers whose staff can qualify include the county school district, the Sheriff's Office, local hospitals and clinics, fire rescue and courts.
We have dedicated mortgage guides for many of these jobs:
- Healthcare: mortgage options for physicians and doctors
- Healthcare: mortgage options for nurses and medical professionals
- Public safety: mortgage options for corrections officers
- Public safety: mortgage options for police officers
- First responders: mortgage options for firefighters
- First responders: mortgage options for EMTs and paramedics
- Education: mortgage options for teachers and school staff
- Military: mortgage options for active-duty military and veterans
Homes that qualify in Washington County
Hometown Heroes applies county-wide, from Chipley to Caryville, Ebro, Vernon, Wausau. The home must be your primary residence: single-family, townhome, eligible condo, or a 2 to 4 unit property where you live in one unit.
Parts of Washington County fall inside USDA-eligible areas, so a USDA first mortgage (zero down) can be paired with Hometown Heroes for qualifying addresses. The USDA income limit here is $119,850.
Check property records and taxes with the Washington County Property Appraiser.
Washington County housing news
- Q&A: Washington County chair candidates on housing, immigration (Beaverton Valley Times, Oct 1, 2026)
- Renowned golf developer building 'World-Class' resort in Vernon: What to know about Old Shores (WJHG, Sep 25, 2026)
- Washington County community gardens face relocation as county plans new housing development (TMJ4 News, Sep 21, 2026)
Updated Oct 6, 2026.
Washington County Hometown Heroes questions
What is the Hometown Heroes income limit in Washington County?
For FHA, VA and conventional HFA loans, the 2026 Hometown Heroes income limit in Washington County is $148,050 (TBA funding, effective May 6, 2026). For USDA loans it is $119,850. Under the TBA option, only the income of borrowers on the loan is counted, not the whole household.
Do I have to pay back Hometown Heroes assistance in Washington County?
It is not a grant. Hometown Heroes is a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment. It is repaid in full on sale, transfer of deed, satisfaction of first mortgage, refinance of first mortgage, or if the home stops being your primary residence. Local programs funded through Washington County's SHIP allocation can be structured differently, which is why it pays to compare both.
Does Washington County have its own down payment assistance program?
Yes. Every Florida county, including Washington County, receives state SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) funds, a minimum of $350,000 a year, and can use them for down payment and closing cost help. Washington County sets its own income caps, amounts and repayment terms in its Local Housing Assistance Plan, and funding windows vary.
What is the maximum Hometown Heroes assistance in Washington County?
Assistance is 5% of your first mortgage amount, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. On an FHA loan at Washington County's FHA maximum of $541,287, the 5% formula works out to $27,064 of assistance.
Who can help me apply for Hometown Heroes in Washington County?
Hometown Heroes is reserved through Florida Housing–approved participating lenders, first come, first served. Stairway Mortgage (Jim Blackburn, NMLS #1072866) can review your occupation, income against the Washington County limit, and whether Washington County's local program fits alongside it.
Jim Blackburn, NMLS #1072866 · Stairway Mortgage. Program terms, limits and funding availability are set by Florida Housing Finance Corporation and Washington County and can change. Estimates are not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Opportunity.