Matt Schuetze knew right away the brick home for sale in North Temple would be perfect for his wife and 2-year-old son. But there were two problems: red carpet and money for a down payment.

Under the Homes for Texas Heroes program, Schuetze’s job as Temple College police officer enabled him to get a grant that he could use for the down payment.

“It got us in here,” said the 22-year-old, first-time homeowner. “I knew something was out there like that, but I didn’t know what it was.”

In the aftermath of the subprime mortgage meltdown, local mortgage companies are using programs like these to help first-time buyers cross the threshold into a home of their own.

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