Homes for Texas Heroes
Home loans for Texas EMTs and paramedics
Full-time Texas EMTs, paramedics and emergency care attendants can get up to 5% of the loan for down payment and closing costs through Homes for Texas Heroes.
Who's covered
EMS personnel who qualify are full-time emergency care attendants, EMTs, EMT-Intermediates, EMT-Paramedics and licensed paramedics.
Your certification is verified through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) online license lookup.
Homes for Texas Heroes is a year-round program from the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). It pairs a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with up to 5% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs, either as a grant you never repay or as a loan forgiven after 3 years. First-time buyers can also add a Mortgage Credit Certificate, a federal tax credit.
Working for a county, a fire department or an EMS agency
TSAHC's EMS definition is about your certification and full-time status. If you work for a fire department as a firefighter-paramedic, you may fit either category; your lender picks the one that fits your paperwork.
ER nurses are a different story
Emergency room and other hospital nurses are not a Heroes profession. Home Sweet Texas, open to any profession under its income limit, may be the better fit.
Papers to have on hand
- DSHS certification or license
- Proof of full-time employment
- Income and asset documents your lender requests
- Homebuyer education certificate before closing
Readers also ask
Do emergency care attendants qualify?
Yes. TSAHC lists full-time emergency care attendants along with EMTs, EMT-Intermediates, EMT-Paramedics and licensed paramedics.
I'm an ER nurse. Do I qualify as EMS?
No. Hospital nurses, including ER nurses, are not on the Heroes list. Only school nurses and nursing faculty qualify among nurses.
What credit score do I need?
At least 620 for a government loan or 640 for a conventional loan, plus your lender's own standards.
