On Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis arrived at the University of West Florida to announced a new initiative that aims to assist veterans in purchasing houses after they’ve completed their service.

The new program, known as the “Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program” will seek to help active duty veterans transition by offering them offering up to $8 million in a variety of down payment and closing cost assistance, coupled with low-interest rate first mortgages.

Administered by the Florida Housing, the plan will also provide options for down payments and closing cost assistance that will be forgivable after five years.

“I’m excited to announce my administration’s newest veteran-focused initiative: the “Salute Our Soldiers” Military Housing Loan Program for veterans and active duty military personnel throughout the state,” DeSantis said. “To start, Florida Housing will set aside funds to assist over 1,000 veterans and active duty military members by making the homebuying process easier and more affordable. More veterans calling Florida home is a great thing for all involved and we look forward to the positive impacts this program will have on the lives of our veterans and the communities in which they live.”

I’m excited to share my administration’s newest veteran-focused initiative: the “Salute Our Soldiers” Military Housing Loan Program for veterans and active duty military personnel throughout the state. Details here – https://t.co/rN87dlbDUT pic.twitter.com/e7jNbek5Ya

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 19, 2020

The new housing loan assistance program is just the latest policy by the governor to help promote and assist Florida veterans. DeSantis has launched several initiatives in the past, including ones that deal with workforce opportunities and suicide reduction. All fall under a much larger campaign known as The Forward March initiative which aims to unite the combined energy and resources of Florida’s state agencies, veterans’ service organizations, private partners and local communities to make it easier for veterans to find the information they need.

Florida is currently home to 1.5 million veterans — third largest in the U.S., behind California and Texas.

The program will be available starting March 2, 2020.