DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
Down Payment Assistance Across Florida
Local and statewide programs for all 67 Florida counties — choose your county to see its programs, its cities and how to apply.
HOW IT WORKS
Assistance can cover a big part of your upfront costs
Every Florida county — and many cities — offers help with the down payment and closing costs for eligible buyers — often as a 0% interest deferred second mortgage that is repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the home, and sometimes as a forgivable loan or grant.
Most programs have income limits, purchase price limits, location rules, a homebuyer education requirement, and must be used with an approved lender and loan type. Funding opens and closes throughout the year, so timing matters.
How to use this directory
Pick your county
Or search the city where you want to buy.
Check eligibility
Call or visit the program page to confirm funding and limits.
Pair it with a loan
Alex confirms which programs work with your financing.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
What you may find
Deferred second mortgages
0% interest loans for down payment and closing costs, typically repaid when you sell, refinance or the first mortgage is paid off.
Forgivable loans & grants
Some programs forgive assistance over time if you live in the home, or offer non-repayable grants.
Mortgage Credit Certificates
An MCC can provide a federal tax credit for part of the mortgage interest you pay each year.
Matched savings
Some programs match a buyer’s own cash contribution, dollar for dollar, up to a limit.
Statewide programs
Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers statewide first mortgage and assistance programs through participating lenders.
FIND YOUR COUNTY
Down payment assistance in every Florida county
Choose your county — or type your city — to see its local SHIP program, any city programs, other local resources and statewide assistance.
Statewide programs (all 67 counties)
Florida Housing Homebuyer Loan Program
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage for first-time homebuyers through participating lenders.
Minimum 640 credit score, approved homebuyer education, and income and purchase price limits set for each county.
FL Assist
Up to $10,000 down payment and closing cost help.
0% deferred second mortgage, not forgivable — repaid when you sell, refinance or move out. Used with a Florida Housing first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA or conventional).
HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUS
3%, 4% or 5% of the loan amount in assistance.
Forgiven 20% per year over 5 years. Used with Florida Housing conventional HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage first mortgages.
Florida Hometown Heroes
5% of the first mortgage ($10,000–$35,000).
For eligible first-time buyers working full time for a Florida-based employer, including many essential workers, military and veterans. Reopened July 2026; funds are first-come, first-served.
Homebuyer education
Take an approved course before you close.
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies offer courses online or in person, often free or low cost.
Browse all 67 counties by region
Every Florida county and many larger cities run a SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) program funded through Florida Housing. County pages list each program’s status, what it offers and how to apply, reviewed October 2026.
LET ALEX DO THE LEGWORK
Which programs fit your purchase?
Assistance programs only work with specific loan types and participating lenders. Tell Alex where you want to buy and your household size and income range — he’ll help you narrow down which programs may fit and how they pair with FHA, conventional or other financing.
- Program-to-loan matching
- Clear estimate of your cash to close with and without assistance
- Help with homebuyer education and application timing
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FAQ
Down payment assistance questions
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
Many programs require it, often defined as not owning a home in the past three years, but some programs and statewide options have exceptions. Check each program’s rules.
Can I use assistance with any loan?
No. Most programs require an approved participating lender and specific first mortgage types, commonly FHA or conventional. Alex can check compatibility.
Do I have to repay the assistance?
It depends. Many programs are 0% deferred second mortgages repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the home; others are forgivable over time or are grants.
Is there an income limit?
Usually yes — commonly based on a percentage of the area median income (AMI) for your household size. Limits vary by program.
How long does it take?
Assistance can add time to your closing because the program must review and approve your file. Building that into your contract timeline is important.
Start With A Pre-Approval
Know your numbers before you apply for assistance.