Down Payment Assistance Programs in Florida (2026)
Last updated 05/20/2026 by
Ante Mazalin
Edited by
Andrew Latham
Summary:
Down payment assistance programs in Florida are government-funded second mortgages, deferred loans, and forgivable grants administered through Florida Housing Finance Corporation and county housing authorities statewide.
Three statewide programs serve buyers through approved lenders across all 67 counties, while Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange County, and Hillsborough County run their own separate programs with different amounts and rules.
- FL Assist: $10,000 at 0% deferred for 30 years with no monthly payment, available through approved lenders statewide.
- Hometown Heroes: Up to $35,000 deferred at 0% for eligible Florida workers in healthcare, education, first responder, childcare, and military occupations earning up to 150% AMI, subject to periodic fund availability.
- Orange County: Tiered assistance reaching up to $70,000 for very low-income buyers near Orlando.
- City of Tampa: Up to $50,000 forgivable over 20 years through the Dare to Own the Dream program, tiered by AMI percentage.
Florida’s housing market remains one of the most expensive in the country for first-time buyers, particularly in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, where median home prices have climbed well above national averages.
The programs below are funded specifically for that gap: when the monthly payment is affordable but the cash to close isn’t.
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How Florida’s down payment assistance programs are structured
Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) administers the state’s primary DPA programs but does not lend directly to buyers. Funds flow through a network of approved lenders statewide via two delivery mechanisms.
BOND programs are financed through bond issues and use household income to determine eligibility. If you sell within nine years, earn a profit on the sale, and your income has increased above the allowable federal program limits at the time of sale, a federal recapture tax may apply.
Florida Housing offers a Recapture Tax Reimbursement Plan to help borrowers who owe this tax. Ask your lender for details at closing.
TBA programs are priced daily and use the income on your loan application rather than total household income. No recapture tax applies to TBA products.
One rule applies across every Florida Housing program: you can only participate once in your lifetime. A previous FL Assist, FL HLP, HFA PLUS, or Hometown Heroes award makes you ineligible for any Florida Housing DPA program on a future purchase.
Florida Housing DPA programs also cannot be combined with each other. Each purchase transaction receives one program only.
Who qualifies for Florida Housing programs
All three statewide programs share a common eligibility baseline before any program-specific rules apply.
- Minimum FICO score of 640 (660 for manual underwriting)
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio of 50% with AUS approval/eligible; 43% with manual underwriting
- 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage required
- First-time homebuyer required, defined as no ownership interest in a primary residence in the prior three years. Exceptions apply for buyers in federally designated targeted areas, veterans presenting a DD-214, and active-duty military. Reserves and National Guard members do not qualify for the veteran exception.
- At least one primary borrower must complete a homebuyer education course before closing
- No minimum borrower cash contribution required
Florida Housing statewide DPA programs
FHFC offers three second-mortgage products. They differ on amount, interest rate, repayment structure, and which first mortgage they can be paired with.
| Program | Amount | Interest | Repayment | Forgiven? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FL Assist | $10,000 | 0%, non-amortizing | Full balance due on sale, refinance, transfer, or end of primary occupancy | No |
| FL HLP | $12,500 | 3%, fully amortizing | $52.70/month for 30 years; balance due on sale, refinance, transfer, or end of occupancy | No |
| HFA PLUS | 3%, 4%, or 5% of loan amount | N/A | Forgiven 20% per year over five years; unpaid balance due if sold or refinanced within that window | Yes (after 5 years) |
FL Assist
FL Assist provides a flat $10,000 second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payment. The full balance is due when you sell, refinance, transfer title, or stop occupying the home as your primary residence.
FL Assist is not forgivable under any circumstances. Buyers who expect to stay long-term benefit the most, because the balance stays constant regardless of how long you live in the home.
FL HLP
FL HLP provides $12,500 at 3% interest, fully amortizing over 30 years. The monthly payment is $52.70. Unlike FL Assist, the balance declines over time, but it becomes due in full on sale, refinance, transfer, or end of primary occupancy.
FL HLP makes sense for buyers who want a slightly larger assistance amount and can absorb a small monthly payment on the second mortgage.
HFA PLUS
HFA PLUS provides 3%, 4%, or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount as a forgivable second mortgage. The balance forgives at 20% per year over five years. If you sell or refinance before the five years are up, whatever portion hasn’t yet been forgiven is due and payable at closing.
HFA PLUS must be paired with the Florida HFA Advantage PLUS first mortgage and is available on TBA transactions only.
Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes is Florida Housing’s largest DPA program, providing 5% of the first mortgage loan amount as down payment assistance, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. The second mortgage carries 0% interest and defers for 30 years, payable on sale, refinance, transfer, or end of primary occupancy.
The program is available for buyers earning up to 150% of area median income, which makes it accessible to a much broader range of incomes than the standard FL Housing eligibility baseline. Eligible first mortgage types include FHA, USDA, VA, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, and Freddie Mac HFA Advantage.
Hometown Heroes requires at least one occupying borrower to be currently employed full-time in an eligible occupation by a Florida-based employer. Eligible occupation categories include healthcare workers, school staff members, first responders, public safety and court employees, childcare workers, and U.S. military and reserve members. Florida Housing publishes the complete list of qualifying job titles at floridahousing.org. Active-duty service members, Reserves, and Florida National Guard members satisfy this requirement through their military service and do not need a separate Florida civilian employer.
Hometown Heroes fund availability: The program is funded through annual legislative allocations. The 2025–26 allocation of $50 million was fully committed by late February 2026. As of publication, access to new reservations depends on whether the 2026–27 fiscal year allocation has been released. Confirm current availability with your lender or at floridahousing.org before beginning the application process.
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County offers a deferred-payment loan of up to $35,000 for income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing within the county. The loan carries 0% interest and requires no monthly payments for up to 30 years. The full balance is due on sale, transfer of title, refinance, or death of the borrower.
Early sales trigger a shared equity repayment. If you sell within one to three years of closing, you repay 100% of the net profit in addition to the loan principal. Sales between four and six years require repayment of 50% of the net profit. After six years, no profit-sharing is owed. Only the original loan balance is due.
Miami-Dade income limits by household size (current as of program research):
| Household size | Maximum gross income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $95,620 |
| 2 people | $109,200 |
| 3 people | $122,920 |
| 4 people | $136,500 |
Additional requirements: you must be a first-time buyer with no ownership interest in a primary residence in the prior three years, contribute at least 1% of the purchase price from your own funds, maintain a combined loan-to-value ratio of no more than 105%, and complete HUD-certified homebuyer counseling.
You must also be a Miami-Dade County resident at both the time of application and closing.
Contact Miami-Dade County Housing at (786) 469-2209 to confirm current fund availability and start the process.
Broward County
Broward County’s Homebuyer Purchase Assistance (HPA) program provides a deferred-payment second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payments. The loan term is 15 years. If you remain in the home as your primary residence for the full 15 years, the mortgage is satisfied at no additional cost. If you sell, transfer title, or change the use of the property within that 15-year window, the full balance becomes due.
Assistance amounts vary by community. Most Broward cities offer up to $50,000; Sunrise provides up to $40,000; and Weston may offer a higher assistance amount subject to separate program terms; confirm directly with Broward County Housing at (954) 357-4900. Fund availability also varies by community.
Some cities may have no funds available at a given time, as the program operates on a first-come, first-qualified, first-served basis. Contact Broward County Housing at (954) 357-4900 to confirm whether funds are available in your target community before beginning the process.
Program requirements:
- Gross annual household income at or below 80% AMI (Hollywood buyers may qualify up to 120% AMI)
- No ownership of residential property in the prior three years
- Minimum buyer contribution: 3% of the purchase price in non-borrowed funds (1% from buyer’s own funds; remaining 2% may come from gifts, seller concessions, or other non-borrowed sources). VA loan buyers may differ.
- Combined LTV may not exceed 105%
- Front-end housing expense ratio: 25–38% of gross income. Back-end total DTI: no more than 45% (conventional) or 46% (FHA)
- Maximum sales price: $636,806 in most areas (Weston may vary)
- Liquid assets: must be under $100,000 at application; under $50,000 after closing
- HUD-approved homebuyer education certificate required, dated within 12 months of closing
Contact: Broward County Housing and Urban Planning Division, 110 NE 3rd Street, Suite 300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, (954) 357-4900.
Orange County and the Orlando area
Orange County’s down payment assistance program provides tiered grants based on income level. Very low-income buyers qualify for up to $70,000; low-income buyers qualify for up to $40,000; and moderate-income buyers qualify for up to $10,000. All tiers require a first mortgage from an approved lender, first-time homebuyer status, and completion of a pre-purchase homebuyer education course before closing.
Contact Orange County Housing at housing@ocfl.net or (407) 836-5150 to confirm current income limits, property requirements, and fund availability for your purchase.
Tampa and Hillsborough County
The Tampa-Hillsborough area has two separate programs: one administered through the Hillsborough County Housing Finance Authority for county-wide buyers, and one run by the City of Tampa for purchases within city limits. The two programs have different amounts, terms, and eligibility rules.
Hillsborough County HFA: Home Sweet Home Hillsborough
The Hillsborough County Housing Finance Authority offers up to $15,000 as a 0% second mortgage forgivable over five years. The balance forgives at 20% per year. If you refinance, sell, transfer title, foreclose, or stop occupying the property before the five-year period ends, you repay the remaining unforgiven balance. After year five, the second mortgage is completely forgiven.
The program requires first-time buyer status, a FICO score of at least 640, and a back-end DTI of no more than 45%. Income limits as published on the HFA website are $59,800 for a one- to two-person household and $68,770 for a household of three or more. The maximum purchase price listed is $253,809.
Note: The Hillsborough County HFA income limits and maximum purchase price are listed on the HFA’s website but may not reflect the most current program guidelines, which can update annually. Contact the HFA directly at (813) 425-5959 or sue@ehousing.cc to confirm current limits before relying on these figures.
City of Tampa: Dare to Own the Dream (DARE)
The City of Tampa’s DARE program offers down payment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible buyers purchasing property within Tampa city limits. Assistance is structured as a zero-interest deferred loan that becomes fully forgivable after 20 years of continued owner-occupancy. The amount depends on your household’s AMI percentage.
| Household income (% of AMI) | Assistance amount |
|---|---|
| 0–50% AMI | Not eligible |
| 50.01%–80% AMI | $50,000 |
| 80.01%–120% AMI | $40,000 |
| 120.01%–140% AMI | $30,000 |
Additional requirements: maximum purchase price of $450,000, minimum borrower contribution of $2,000 (at least $1,000 from verified personal funds), maximum back-end DTI of 50%, and a minimum credit score of 600. FHA, VA, and conventional affordable housing products are eligible. ARM loans are not.
Buyers must not be under contract on a property before receiving a reservation number from an approved housing counseling agency. Approved counseling agencies include Housing & Education Alliance at (813) 932-4663, R.E.A.C.H. at (813) 397-6208, and Solita’s House at (813) 425-4847.
Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services
608 N. Garden Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
(727) 405-1313 option #3
608 N. Garden Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
(727) 405-1313 option #3
The City of Tampa placed DARE reservations on hold in January 2026 due to funding constraints, but the program resumed accepting reservations by March 2026. Funding can deplete and program status can change; confirm availability with the City of Tampa Housing and Community Development office at (813) 274-7954 before beginning the process.
How to apply for Florida down payment assistance
The application process differs by program, but the sequence below applies to most Florida DPA programs.
- Complete homebuyer education. Every Florida Housing program and most county programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Complete this before submitting any application. Find approved providers at hud.gov or through your county housing authority.
- Check income and purchase price limits. Confirm your household income and target purchase price fall within the program’s current limits. For Florida Housing programs, your lender will use eHousingPlus to verify eligibility. For county programs, contact the housing authority directly.
- Find an approved lender. Florida Housing programs require an approved lender, and your existing bank may not qualify. Find a current lender list at floridahousing.org. City of Tampa and county programs also maintain approved lender lists; confirm with the program office.
- Get pre-approved. Work with your approved lender to obtain a first-mortgage pre-approval. For county programs like DARE, you must not be under contract before receiving a program reservation number.
- Confirm fund availability before going under contract. Hometown Heroes, Tampa’s DARE program, and several Broward County communities have experienced periodic funding gaps. Verify funds are currently available through your lender or the program office before making an offer on a home.
- Submit the DPA package. For Florida Housing programs, your lender reserves the assistance through eHousingPlus. For county programs, the housing authority or your counseling agency submits the package to the relevant office.
- Close on your home. The DPA funds are delivered at closing as a second mortgage alongside your primary financing.
Pro Tip: Florida Housing DPA programs cannot be combined with each other, but a Florida Housing second mortgage can be layered under a county program in some cases. Broward County’s HPA guidelines explicitly allow it to sit behind a Florida Housing first mortgage. Ask your lender to model whether stacking a county program on top of a Florida Housing product could cover more of your closing costs.
Other ways to lower your down payment in Florida
FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down payment for buyers with a FICO score of 580 or higher, and several Florida DPA programs are FHA-eligible, which means the two can often work together to cover your entire upfront cost.
If you served in the military, VA loans allow eligible veterans and active-duty service members to purchase with zero down payment and no mortgage insurance. VA loans are eligible with both FL Assist and Hometown Heroes.
Leasehold homeownership is a lesser-known option that can dramatically reduce what you need at closing. In a leasehold arrangement, you purchase the home itself but lease the underlying land, which results in a lower purchase price and smaller down payment. Jubilee operates a leasehold program that pairs this model with community-land-trust affordability. Before committing to a leasehold purchase, understand the trade-offs of leasehold homeownership, including resale restrictions and land lease renewal terms.
Down Payment Assistance in Other States
Programs vary significantly by state. Income limits, assistance amounts, forgiveness terms, and lender networks all differ. These guides cover verified program details for four other states.
- Oregon: OHCS’s Flex Lending program provides 4–5% of the loan amount as a second mortgage paired with a fixed-rate first, and the OHCS DPA Program reaches up to $60,000 for first-time and first-generation buyers at or below 100% AMI.
- New Jersey: NJHMFA provides $15,000 as a zero-interest second mortgage that becomes fully forgivable after five years of continuous occupancy.
- Massachusetts: MassHousing provides $25,000 at 0% deferred, and ONE+ reaches up to $50,000 for buyers in 29 Gateway Cities.
- Virginia: Virginia Housing’s DPA Grant delivers 2–2.5% of the purchase price as a true gift, never repaid. DHCD’s deferred loan reaches $50,000 for buyers at or below 60% AMI.
Key takeaways
- Florida Housing’s three statewide programs (FL Assist, FL HLP, HFA PLUS) cannot be combined with each other. Each purchase transaction qualifies for one program only, and lifetime participation is limited to one use across all FL Housing DPA products.
- FL Assist provides $10,000 at 0% deferred for 30 years with no monthly payment. It is not forgivable. The full balance is due on sale, refinance, or end of occupancy.
- Hometown Heroes provides up to $35,000 deferred at 0% for Florida workers at up to 150% AMI. Fund availability is subject to bond allocations and can deplete without notice. Verify availability before going under contract.
- Orange County offers the highest publicly verified county amount: up to $70,000 for very low-income buyers near Orlando.
- City of Tampa’s DARE program offers up to $50,000 forgivable over 20 years, but reservations were placed on hold as of January 7, 2026. Confirm current status before applying.
- Broward County HPA provides up to $50,000 (higher in some cities) with no payments for 15 years, effectively forgiven if you stay in the home. Fund availability varies by community. Call (954) 357-4900 to confirm availability before applying.
- Miami-Dade provides up to $35,000 deferred with a shared equity structure: early sales within three years trigger repayment of 100% of any net profit.
- BOND programs carry a potential federal recapture tax if you sell within nine years with a profit and higher income. TBA programs carry no recapture tax.
Frequently asked questions
Can I combine a Florida Housing program with a county DPA program?
In some cases, yes. Broward County’s HPA guidelines explicitly allow the county loan to sit in third position behind a Florida Housing first mortgage. Miami-Dade does not allow stacking with other DPA programs. Check with the specific county program and your lender to confirm whether layering is permitted for your purchase.
What is the lifetime participation restriction for Florida Housing programs?
Florida Housing maintains a one-time participation rule across all of its DPA products. If you’ve previously received FL Assist, FL HLP, HFA PLUS, or Hometown Heroes, you cannot access any Florida Housing DPA program again, even on a future purchase of a different home.
Does recapture tax apply to all Florida Housing programs?
Recapture tax applies only to BOND-funded Florida Housing programs. If your first mortgage is a BOND product, federal recapture tax may apply if you sell within nine years, earn a profit, and your income has increased above the original limit. TBA programs carry no recapture tax. Ask your lender whether your specific loan is BOND or TBA before closing.
Do I need to be a first-time buyer to use a Florida DPA program?
Florida Housing programs require first-time buyer status, defined as no ownership of a primary residence in the prior three years, with three exceptions: buyers in federally designated targeted areas, veterans with a DD-214, and active-duty military. Reserves and National Guard members are not exempt. Most county programs (Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange County, Hillsborough) impose the same definition.
How long does the Florida DPA application process take?
Broward County estimates five to six weeks for income certification approval after the lender submits a complete package. Florida Housing programs through an approved lender typically move within standard purchase timelines. City of Tampa and Miami-Dade programs may have additional processing time. Start homebuyer education and counseling early. Most programs require this to be completed before going under contract.
What credit score do I need for Florida DPA?
Florida Housing statewide programs require a minimum FICO score of 640 (660 for manual underwriting). City of Tampa’s DARE program accepts a minimum score of 600. Broward County follows individual lender underwriting guidelines rather than a fixed floor.
Explore how to qualify for down payment assistance with a lower credit score. If your score falls short of the standard minimums, some paths exist to improve your position before applying.
Compare mortgage lenders for your Florida home purchase
Not all lenders participate in Florida Housing or county DPA programs. Use SuperMoney to compare lenders approved for the programs above and find the best rate for your first mortgage.
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