Florida’s housing market can be volatile and varied across both urban and suburban areas. While home prices and availability differ by area, many buyers, especially first-timers, find that the initial costs of purchasing a home can add up quickly.
To help with upfront expenses, Florida offers a range of down payment assistance (DPA) programs that can make homeownership more accessible. Many of these programs are designed specifically to support first-time homebuyers, helping them overcome one of the biggest financial barriers to homeownership.
While this article doesn’t cover every possible option, we’ve highlighted some of the best and most readily available programs in the state. We’ll continue updating this page as programs evolve or new opportunities become available.
What is AMI?
It's common for down payment assistance program guidelines to limit eligibility to applicants whose earnings fall within a certain range of the area median income (AMI). This helps to ensure that assistance is being provided to the buyers who need it most.
Example: You're looking to purchase a home in an area with an AMI of $90,500. The DPA program you're applying for allows income levels up to 140% AMI, meaning that you could earn as much as $126,700 and still potentially qualify.
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Statewide Down Payment Assistance Programs
Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) oversees the state’s primary down payment assistance options. These are available in most parts of the state through participating lenders.
Florida Assist (FL Assist)
Offered through the Florida Housing, the Florida Assist Program provides up to $10,000 as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage to help cover your down payment and closing costs. There are no monthly payments, and the loan is only due when you sell, refinance, or move out of the home.
Eligibility: Must be a first-time homebuyer with a minimum credit score of 640, meet income and purchase price limits for your county, complete an approved homebuyer education course, and use a Florida Housing-approved lender. Assistance must be paired with a Florida Housing first mortgage loan.
HFA Preferred/Advantage PLUS
The HFA Preferred/Advantage PLUS provides 3%, 4%, or 5% of the loan amount in down payment and closing cost assistance as a forgivable second mortgage. Forgiven at 20% per year over a 5-year term when used with Florida Housing’s HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage first mortgage.
Eligibility: Must be a first-time homebuyer with a minimum credit score of 640. Must meet county income and purchase price limits, complete an approved homebuyer education course, and work with a Florida Housing-approved lender. Must be used with a qualifying Florida Housing conventional first mortgage.
Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program offers up to 5% of the loan amount (max $35,000) in down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% interest, 30-year deferred second mortgage, repayable if the home is sold, refinanced, or no longer the primary residence.
Eligibility: First-time, income-qualified homebuyers in one of the specified occupations working full-time for a Florida-based employer and buying a home in the community they serve. Must use a Florida Housing first mortgage. Qualifying occupations include health care worker, school staff member, first responder, public safety or court employee, child care worker, military service member or veteran.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by County
Many counties in Florida offer generous Statewide Housing Initiatives Partnership- (SHIP-)funded down payment assistance for first-time buyers. These are often forgivable or deferred-payment loans.
Broward County Purchase Assistance
Broward County Purchase Assistance offers a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage for down payment and closing costs. The loan has a 15-year term and is repayable only if the home is sold, refinanced, or no longer the buyer’s primary residence.
Eligibility: Must be a first-time homebuyer with income ≤ 80% of AMI, contribute 3% of the purchase price (except VA loans), complete homebuyer education, and obtain lender approval. Property restrictions apply.
Hillsborough County – Home Sweet Home Program
The Hillsborough County Home Sweet Home Program provides a 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, or USDA loan with deferred down payment assistance: $15,000 (county) or $5,000 (City of Tampa). The 0% second mortgage is repaid only when the home is sold, refinanced, or no longer owner-occupied.
Eligibility: Must be a first-time homebuyer with a minimum 640 credit score. Must meet income limits, complete an approved homebuyer education course, use the home as a primary residence, and buy a home below a price cap.
Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance
Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance offers up to $100,000 in down payment, closing cost, and purchase assistance as a 0% interest, deferred-payment loan. The loan is forgiven after 30 years if the home remains the buyer’s primary residence and property.
Eligibility: Must be a first-time homebuyer with income up to 140% of AMI, attend education/orientation, and purchase a home under price limits. The home must be within Palm Beach County and used as a primary residence.
Orange County Down Payment Assistance
Orange County Down Payment Assistance provides between $10,000 and $70,000 in down payment assistance, based on income.
Eligibility: Must be a first-time homebuyer with income under 120% AMI, credit score of at least 620, personal contribution of $500–$1,000 depending on income tier, and completion of a homebuyer education course. Download a PDF flyer for more details.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by City
Some Florida cities offer their own DPA programs, separate from county offerings. Here are a few worth noting.
City of Tampa – Dare to Own the Dream (DARE)
The Dare to Own the Dream Program offers up to $50,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% interest, deferred-payment loan for eligible first-time homebuyers. Fully forgivable after 20 years if the home remains owner-occupied.
Eligibility: Must purchase within Tampa city limits, complete homebuyer education, have minimum credit score of 600, and work with an approved lender. Household income must be at or below 140% of AMI, and the buyer must contribute at least $2,000. Income limits and purchase price limits apply.
City of Jacksonville – Head Start to HOME Ownership (H2H)
The Head Start to HOME Ownership provides up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible homebuyers as a deferred loan.
Eligibility: Must be a first-time homebuyer with income ≤ 80% of AMI. Applicants must be approved before signing a sales contract. The home must meet Section 8 Housing Quality Standards.
City of Lauderhill – Purchase Assistance Program
The City of Lauderhill Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $75,000 in down payment, closing cost, or principal reduction assistance as a 15-year deferred-payment loan for eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing within Fort Lauderdale city limits.
Eligibility: Must be a first-time homebuyer purchasing a single-family home, townhouse, condo, or villa. Applicants must meet very low, low, or moderate-income limits and plan to occupy the home as a primary residence.
This is a first-come-first-served program and sometimes runs out of funding.
City of Boca Raton – First-Time Homebuyer Program
The City of Boca Raton First-Time Homebuyer offers up to $190,000 in down payment, closing cost, and eligible rehabilitation assistance through a 0% interest, deferred loan forgivable after 20 years of owner occupancy. Loan amount is based on income tier.
Eligibility: Must be a first-time homebuyer purchasing within Boca Raton city limits, complete homebuyer education course, contribute at least 1% of the purchase price, and maintain $2,500 in assets for 3 months prior to applying. Applicants must meet income limits and property price limits.
More Down Payment Assistance Programs
Here are additional programs not covered in the main sections above:
Statewide Programs
Chenoa Fund (Nationwide program available in Florida)
County Programs
City Programs
Choosing the Right Type of Loan to Achieve Homeownership
Mortgages come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing the right type of loan can help you achieve homeownership sooner. That's because different types of loans have different down payment requirements.
- Conventional loans typically require 5% down, although first-time and lower-income homebuyers are eligible with just a 3% down payment.
- FHA loans require 3.5% down, but have reduced eligibility criteria making it easier for borrowers without perfect credit to qualify.
- VA loans are limited to service members, veterans, and some surviving spouses, but allow you to buy with a 0% down payment.
- USDA loans can be used to buy in eligible, low-density rural communities, and allow for a 0% down payment as well.
Be aware, however, that not all DPA programs allow for all types of mortgages. Be sure to check with the program you're applying with for eligible loan types.
Final Thoughts
Florida offers one of the broadest ranges of down payment assistance options in the country, helping both first-time and repeat buyers get into homes with less cash upfront. Make sure to stay up to date with current mortgage rates and use our loan calculators to better understand your homebuying position. If you're looking to buy in Florida, don’t overlook these opportunities. They could save you tens of thousands of dollars.
Check with the organization directly for the most recent guidelines. While programs were fact-checked at the time of writing, requirements change often, and programs become unavailable when funds are exhausted.
