Florida Housing's down payment help only comes with its own 30-year first mortgage (640 minimum credit score): Florida Assist up to $10,000 deferred, the FL HLP second of $12,500 at 3%, a 3%–5% forgivable second on conventional loans, and Hometown Heroes — 5% of the loan, $10,000 to $35,000, for teachers, health-care workers, first responders and other eligible occupations. Orange County (up to $70,000), Miami-Dade (up to $35,000), Jacksonville (up to $25,000) and Broward (up to $120,000, with new funds expected in November 2026) add local money.
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage through participating lenders
RepaymentRegular monthly payments
Works withRequired for any Florida Housing down payment assistance (no stand-alone DPA)
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Up to $10,000 with FHA, VA, USDA or conventional loans
Repayment0% deferred second mortgage, not forgivable; due in full on sale, transfer, refinance, first-mortgage payoff or when you stop living in the home
Works withFlorida Housing first mortgage only
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
$12,500
Repayment3% fully amortizing second mortgage, 30-year term, with a monthly payment; balance due on sale, transfer, refinance or first-mortgage payoff
Works withFlorida Housing first mortgage only; the payment counts in your debt-to-income ratio
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
3%, 4% or 5% of the total loan amount
RepaymentForgiven 20% a year over its 5-year term
Works withOnly with Florida Housing's conventional HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage first mortgage
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Up to 5% of the first mortgage (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000)
Repayment0% non-amortizing 30-year deferred second mortgage, not forgivable; due on sale, refinance, transfer or when you stop living in the home
Works withHometown Heroes FHA, VA, RD or conventional first mortgage
The 2025-26 money ran out in February 2026; the Legislature appropriated another $50 million for 2026-27 and Florida Housing lists the 2026 program rules — confirm with a lender that funds remain
Orange County Government, Housing and Community Development
$70,000 (very low income, 50% of median), $40,000 (low income, 80%) or $10,000 (moderate income, 120%)
RepaymentTerms in the county's program guidelines — check with the county
Works withFirst mortgage from a lender
Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development
Interest-free loan up to $35,000
RepaymentInterest-free loan — repayment terms from the county
City of Jacksonville Housing and Community Development
Up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs
RepaymentTerms from the City — email the program for interest rate and terms
Works withApproved lender; do not sign a sales contract before approval
Subject to funding limitations
Broward County Housing and Urban Planning Division
Up to $120,000 per property, depending on the city (up to $80,000 in most)
RepaymentTerms from the County; the help can go to the down payment, closing costs, principal reduction or a rate buydown
Works with30-year first mortgage that meets Broward County lending guidelines; the lender reserves the funds
Most participating cities show no funds right now; new allocations are expected in November 2026 (flyer updated August 2026)
Florida Housing's mortgage credit certificate program is closed (since December 31, 2020); Escambia County Housing Finance Authority, Housing Finance Authority of Broward County still issue them locally. Florida's MCC status, sources and calculator.
Amounts, limits and funding change during the year, and many local programs run out of money before the year ends — confirm current terms with the agency or a participating lender before you apply. Spotted an outdated program? Tell us.
What each program's own terms ask of you. "Not stated" means the official page doesn't publish it — the agency or the first-mortgage lender sets it. Most programs count you as a first-time buyer if you haven't owned a home in three years; see the federal definitions and exceptions.
| Program | First-time buyer | Min. credit score | Income limit | Price limit | Homebuyer education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Housing Homebuyer Loan Program (first mortgages) | Required (IRS definition: no owned and occupied primary residence in the last three years) | 640 | County income limits | County purchase price limits | Approved homebuyer education required |
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) | Required (through the Florida Housing first mortgage) | 640 | County income limits | County purchase price limits | Required |
| Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage | Required (through the Florida Housing first mortgage) | 640 | County income limits | County purchase price limits | Required |
| HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUS Second Mortgage (3%, 4% or 5%) | Required (through the Florida Housing first mortgage) | 640 | County income limits | County purchase price limits | Required |
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program | Required; full-time workers for a Florida employer in eligible occupations (health care, schools, first responders, public safety, courts, child care), servicemembers, and veterans employed full-time in Florida | Not stated | 2026 Hometown Heroes county income limits (see income-limits/FL.json) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Down Payment Assistance Program | Required | Not stated | 2026 Orange County limits by household size (area median family income $97,600) | Not stated | Pre-purchase homebuyer education required |
| Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program | Required (first home) | Not stated | Income limits by household size on the county page | Not stated | Not stated |
| Headstart to Homeownership (H2H) | Must not currently own a home | Not stated | At or below 80% of Duval County AMI | Not stated | Not stated |
| Homebuyer Purchase Assistance (HPA) | No residential property owned in the previous three years | Not stated | 80% of AMI in most cities ($71,000 for one person, $101,400 for four); 120% of AMI in some | $679,324 | Homebuyer education class from a South Florida HUD-approved agency |
Florida Housing publishes county limits for Hometown Heroes (any household size). Its regular homebuyer program also uses county income and price limits; ask a participating lender for your county's figures. Hometown Heroes limits apply to reservations from May 6, 2026.
| County | Income limit: FHA, VA, HFA Advantage | Income limit: USDA | Max FHA loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua | $156,000 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Baker | $150,900 | $119,850 | $580,750 |
| Bay | $148,350 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Bradford | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Brevard | $149,400 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Broward | $190,200 | $131,200 | $667,000 |
| Calhoun | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Charlotte | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Citrus | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Clay | $163,050 | $119,850 | $580,750 |
| Collier | $181,500 | $132,150 | $764,750 |
| Columbia | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| De Soto | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Dixie | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Duval | $163,050 | $119,850 | $580,750 |
| Escambia | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Flagler | $156,450 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Franklin | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Gadsen | $149,250 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Gilchrist | $156,000 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Glades | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Gulf | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Hamilton | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Hardee | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Hendry | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Hernando | $172,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Highlands | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Hillsborough | $172,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Holmes | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Indian River | $153,450 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Jackson | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Jefferson | $149,250 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Lafayette | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Lake | $172,350 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Lee | $168,600 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Leon | $149,250 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Levy | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Liberty | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Madison | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Manatee | $171,150 | $119,850 | $547,400 |
| Marion | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Martin | $153,600 | $119,850 | $603,750 |
| Miami-Dade | $204,300 | $131,200 | $667,000 |
| Monroe | $214,950 | $151,900 | $990,150 |
| Nassau | $163,050 | $119,850 | $580,750 |
| Okaloosa | $160,050 | $123,050 | $603,750 |
| Okeechobee | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Orange | $172,350 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Osceola | $172,350 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Palm Beach | $192,750 | $134,400 | $667,000 |
| Pasco | $172,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Pinellas | $172,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Polk | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Putnam | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Santa Rosa | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Sarasota | $171,150 | $123,750 | $547,400 |
| Seminole | $172,350 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| St. Johns | $163,050 | $119,850 | $580,750 |
| St. Lucie | $153,600 | $119,850 | $603,750 |
| Sumter | $156,150 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Suwanee | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Taylor | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Union | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Volusia | $148,650 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Wakulla | $150,600 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
| Walton | $148,050 | $119,850 | $603,750 |
| Washington | $148,050 | $119,850 | $541,287 |
Sources: Florida Hometown Heroes (TBA) (floridahousing.org). Limits are reset every year — check the agency's current table before you apply.
The 10 counties with the most home purchases, priced at each county's median list price. Hometown Heroes: 5% of the first mortgage, $10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum (eligible occupations). In 9 of 10, the income it takes to carry that home still fits under the program's limit.
| County | Median list price | Cash to close | Hometown Heroes covers | You still need | Income to afford | Hometown Heroes income limit | Fits the program? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | $589,000 | $29,107 | $28,419 | $688 | $205,000 | $204,300 | Income needed is above the limit |
| Hillsborough | $408,250 | $22,781 | $19,698 | $3,083 | $142,000 | $172,050 | Yes |
| Broward | $380,000 | $21,792 | $18,335 | $3,457 | $132,000 | $190,200 | Yes |
| Palm Beach | $472,000 | $25,012 | $22,774 | $2,238 | $165,000 | $192,750 | Yes |
| Lee | $379,900 | $21,789 | $18,330 | $3,458 | $132,000 | $168,600 | Yes |
| Orange | $424,950 | $23,365 | $20,504 | $2,861 | $148,000 | $172,350 | Yes |
| Polk | $329,000 | $20,007 | $15,874 | $4,133 | $115,000 | $148,050 | Yes |
| Duval | $299,950 | $18,990 | $14,473 | $4,518 | $105,000 | $163,050 | Yes |
| Pinellas | $417,450 | $23,103 | $20,142 | $2,961 | $146,000 | $172,050 | Yes |
| Osceola | $405,875 | $22,698 | $19,583 | $3,114 | $141,000 | $172,350 | Yes |
Estimates, not a quote. Median list price: Realtor.com, October 2026. Cash to close = 3.5% down (the FHA minimum) + $8,492, Florida's average closing costs including transfer taxes (closing costs by state). Income to afford = principal and interest at 7.18% (Freddie Mac 30-year average), the 0.55% FHA annual premium, Florida's 0.76% effective property tax and 0.63% homeowners insurance, kept within 28% of gross income. The program also has to accept the home and you — see the requirements above.
Prefilled with Florida's $410,000 median list price, 3.5% down, 2.1% closing costs and Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program's terms. Change any field to match your quote.
A deferred loan has no payments, but it is a debt: it is repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the first mortgage.
30-year fixed first mortgage; monthly figures are principal and interest only. Assistance is capped at your down payment plus closing costs. For the full monthly payment with Florida's taxes and insurance, use the Florida mortgage calculator.
Most assistance sits on top of an FHA, VA or USDA loan, or a 97% conventional one. Of the 282,272 conventional, FHA and VA first mortgages made to buy a home in Florida in 2025, 24.4% were FHA and 11.0% VA, against 18.7% and 9.7% nationally. The median 30-year fixed FHA purchase loan was $335,000 (U.S. $305,000), and those borrowers paid a median $12,326 in total loan costs (U.S. $11,291).
Source: HMDA 2025 loan-level records, first-lien home-purchase originations. HMDA doesn't record whether a borrower is a first-time buyer, and the lenders listed aren't necessarily approved for Florida Housing's programs — find those through Florida Housing — lender locator.
| Lender | FHA purchase loans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Shore Financial Services, LLC | 10,592 | 15.4% |
| DHI Mortgage Company, Ltd. | 5,986 | 8.7% |
| Lennar Mortgage, LLC | 4,163 | 6.0% |
| Rocket Mortgage, LLC | 2,424 | 3.5% |
| Crosscountry Mortgage, Inc. | 2,262 | 3.3% |
492 lenders made FHA purchase loans in Florida. Compare them on Florida mortgage lenders.
Florida Housing has no outright grant, but its 3%, 4% or 5% PLUS second is forgiven 20% a year over five years on a conventional HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage loan.
Florida Assist ($10,000) and Hometown Heroes ($10,000–$35,000) are 0% deferred loans that are not forgiven — you repay them when you sell, refinance or move out.
The 2025-26 money ran out on February 20, 2026. For 2026-27 the Legislature appropriated another $50 million, and Florida Housing's page lists the 2026 program rules: 5% of the first mortgage ($10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum) for first-time buyers in eligible jobs who work full-time for a Florida employer, with 2026 limits for reservations from May 6, 2026. Confirm with a participating lender that funds remain before you count on it.
It depends on the county: $204,300 in Miami-Dade, $190,200 in Broward, $172,350 in Orange, $172,050 in Hillsborough and $163,050 in Duval for FHA, VA and HFA Advantage loans, any household size — $148,050 to $214,950 statewide. USDA loans use lower limits.
Access to Florida Housing's 30-year fixed first mortgage and its down payment seconds, which are only offered with that loan. You count as a first-time buyer if you haven't owned and lived in a home in the past three years.
You need a 640 credit score, approved homebuyer education, and income and price under your county's limits.
It is a stretch: with 3.5% down, the payment including FHA premium, Florida's 0.76% effective property tax and insurance is about $2,440 a month, which needs about $105,000 of income at the 28% rule.
Car and card payments lower what a lender approves; down payment help lowers the cash, not the payment.
How we built this page: each program was read on its official page — the agency's, city's or county's own site, or the Internet Archive's copy of that page where the site blocked our checker — on October 22, 2026, and every amount and limit above appears on the source we link. By the Editorial Team; see our editorial policy and methodology.