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Florida First Time Home Buyer Programs 2026: DPA Guide

By GrantsightsUpdated 11 official sourcesHow we checkCorrections

Quick Answer: Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers Florida Assist (up to $10,000), the FL HLP second mortgage ($12,500), the HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS second (3%, 4% or 5% of the loan) and Hometown Heroes (5% of the first mortgage, $10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum)…

Full answer and how we checked it

Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers Florida Assist (up to $10,000), the FL HLP second mortgage ($12,500), the HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS second (3%, 4% or 5% of the loan) and Hometown Heroes (5% of the first mortgage, $10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum), with 2026 income limits effective for reservations made on or after May 6, 2026. None of them is a true grant: Florida Assist and Hometown Heroes are 0% deferred loans you repay when you sell or refinance, FL HLP is a 3% loan with a monthly payment, and only the PLUS second is forgiven, at 20% a year over 5 years. County programs funded by Florida's SHIP program and local surtaxes add more, such as up to $35,000 in Miami-Dade, but several are out of money right now.

This guide is for: people buying their first home in Florida, renters who've seen "Florida first-time home buyer grant" ads, and nurses, teachers, first responders and veterans checking whether Hometown Heroes fits them.

Data note: Grantsights checked Florida Housing's homebuyer overview page (opens in a new tab), its Hometown Heroes page (opens in a new tab) and 2026 Hometown Heroes limits chart, its September 17, 2026 TBA lender guide and master term sheet, its SHIP, MCC and recapture tax pages, and county housing pages for Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange and Hillsborough on November 3, 2026. Figures carry the effective date the agency printed. Where a page showed no date, we say so.

In this guide (11 sections)

For how Florida compares with other states, and what FHA, VA and USDA loans offer nationally, see our national first-time home buyer grants guide.

Florida's 5 State Programs Compared (2026)

Florida Housing runs 4 down payment seconds plus 1 legacy tax credit program, and all of the down payment help is tied to its own 30-year fixed first mortgage. According to Florida Housing's homebuyer overview page, down payment assistance "is NOT available as stand alone" help, so you can't take Florida Assist and use another lender's loan.

Florida programRun byGrant or loan?AmountRepayment termsFirst-time buyer ruleMin. credit scoreFunding status (Nov 3, 2026)
Florida Assist (FL Assist)Florida HousingDeferred loanUp to $10,0000%, no payments; due in full on sale, transfer, refinance, first mortgage payoff or move-out. Not forgivableNo owned-and-occupied home in past 3 years640Listed as offered; no closure notice
FL HLP second mortgageFlorida HousingRepayable loan$12,5003%, 30-year, monthly payment; balance due on sale or refinanceSame640Listed as offered; no closure notice
HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUSFlorida HousingForgivable loan3%, 4% or 5% of the loanForgiven 20% a year over 5 years; conventional loans onlySame640Listed as offered; no closure notice
Hometown HeroesFlorida Housing (state appropriation)Deferred loan5% of first mortgage, $10,000 min, $35,000 max0%, 30-year deferred; due on sale, refinance, transfer or move-out. Not forgivableSame, plus eligible full-time job6402026 program listed; no remaining-funds figure posted
Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)Florida Housing (ended); some countiesTax creditShare of mortgage interestAnnual federal credit; recapture tax can applySameSet locallyFlorida Housing stopped issuing after 12/31/2020

Sources: Florida Housing homebuyer overview (opens in a new tab), Hometown Heroes page (opens in a new tab) and MCC FAQ (opens in a new tab), all checked November 3, 2026; the 640 and 660 credit rules are from Florida Housing's master first mortgage term sheet (opens in a new tab) dated September 17, 2026.

A few rules apply across all of them:

  • Credit: 640 minimum, 660 if the loan is manually underwritten, and a 50% maximum debt-to-income ratio with automated approval (43% manual).
  • Education: one occupying borrower must finish an approved pre-purchase homebuyer course. Post-closing courses don't count.
  • One time only: the term sheet says every borrower, including a co-signer, can use Florida Housing's homebuyer programs once.
  • Fees: lender origination fees can't exceed $1,750, plus a $400 funding fee, a $275 compliance fee and an $85 tax service fee, according to the September 17, 2026 term sheet.

Hometown Heroes: who qualifies and what's open

Hometown Heroes is limited to 3 groups of buyers under the HTH 2026 rules on Florida Housing's page: full-time workers for a Florida-based employer in health care, schools, first response, public safety, the courts or child care; members of the military, reserves, Coast Guard or Florida National Guard; and veterans working full time for a Florida employer. You also get a competitive first mortgage rate and no origination or discount points.

Funding is set by the Legislature each year. According to Florida Housing's February 27, 2026 press release, the 2025 round opened August 18, 2025 with $50 million and committed every dollar in about 6 months, serving more than 3,000 buyers. The average first mortgage was about $320,000 and the average assistance about $16,000. Since 2022 to 2023, the program has delivered more than $386 million in down payment help to nearly 25,000 buyers.

For the current round, Florida Housing's page describes the HTH 2026 program, its 2026 limits chart is dated July 13, 2026, and its Hometown Heroes lender guide was revised September 17, 2026. None of those pages shows how much money is left. That's the honest status: listed as active, with no public balance, after a history of running out early.

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2026 Income and Loan Limits for 8 Large Florida Counties

Florida's limits run from $118,440 to $163,440 for a 3-person household under Florida Assist across the counties below, according to the Florida Housing 2026 TBA lender guide, effective with reservations made on or after May 6, 2026. Florida Housing's regular program caps the loan amount, not the purchase price, so the last column is the FHA loan limit Florida Housing prints for each county.

County (main city)FL Assist income, 1-2 peopleFL Assist income, 3+ peopleFL HLP income, any sizeHometown Heroes income, any sizeFHA loan limitConventional and VA loan limit
Miami-Dade (Miami)$156,630$163,440$190,681$204,300$667,000$832,750
Broward (Fort Lauderdale)$145,820$152,160$177,521$190,200$667,000$832,750
Palm Beach (West Palm Beach)$147,775$154,200$179,901$192,750$667,000$832,750
Hillsborough (Tampa)$131,905$137,640$160,581$172,050$541,287$832,750
Orange (Orlando)$132,135$137,880$160,861$172,350$541,287$832,750
Duval (Jacksonville)$125,005$130,440$152,181$163,050$580,750$832,750
Pinellas (St. Petersburg)$131,905$137,640$160,581$172,050$541,287$832,750
Polk (Lakeland)$118,099$118,440$138,181$148,050$541,287$832,750

Sources: Florida Housing Standard TBA Lender Guide, September 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab), pages 16 to 19, "effective with reservations made 5/06/26"; Florida Housing 2026 Hometown Heroes income and loan limits (opens in a new tab), revised July 13, 2026. The TBA guide is published through eHousingPlus, Florida Housing's program administrator.

USDA loans through Florida Housing use a separate cap: $119,850 for a household of 1 to 4 in most counties, $142,450 in Miami-Dade and $134,400 in Palm Beach. If you're near a line, the FL HLP limit is roughly 17% to 22% higher than Florida Assist's, which is why some buyers who earn too much for Florida Assist still qualify for HLP.

SHIP purchase price limits

County SHIP programs do cap the price. The latest list on Florida Housing's SHIP purchase price limits page (opens in a new tab), checked November 3, 2026, is for 2025. It sets $679,324 for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, $602,915 for Duval and $544,233 for most other counties, including Orange, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk. No 2026 list was posted yet, so ask your county which figure it's using.

How Much Help Is That, Really?

At Florida's average Hometown Heroes loan of $320,000, Florida Assist's $10,000 covers about 3.1% of the loan. Grantsights analysis of Florida Housing's published program amounts and its February 27, 2026 press release figures shows:

ProgramAmount at a $320,000 first mortgageShare of the loanMonthly cost
Florida Assist$10,0003.1%None until sale or refinance
FL HLP$12,5003.9%About $53 a month at 3% over 30 years
PLUS second at 5%$16,0005.0%None; gone after 5 years
Hometown Heroes$16,000 (5%)5.0%None until sale or refinance

The HLP payment is our calculation from Florida Housing's stated terms ($12,500, 3%, 30 years, fully amortizing). The other figures follow directly from the program rules.

One detail Florida Housing doesn't spell out: the $35,000 Hometown Heroes maximum needs a $700,000 first mortgage, because the assistance is 5% of the loan. In counties where the FHA limit is $541,287, such as Orange, Hillsborough and Pinellas, the most an FHA borrower can get is about $27,064. Reaching $35,000 takes a conventional or VA loan, whose limit is $832,750, or an FHA loan in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach, where the FHA limit is $667,000 and 5% is $33,350. On the low end, any first mortgage under $200,000 still gets the $10,000 minimum.

For example, a couple in Hillsborough County earning $95,000, buying a $300,000 home with an FHA loan, needs a 3.5% down payment of $10,500 before closing costs. Their income is under the Florida Assist limit of $131,905 for 2 people, so a $10,000 Florida Assist loan covers almost all of the down payment. If one of them is a full-time nurse at a Tampa hospital, Hometown Heroes would instead pay 5% of a $289,500 base loan, or about $14,475, enough to cover the down payment and part of the closing costs. Either way, they'd owe the full amount back if they sold or refinanced, because neither loan is forgiven.

Local Programs in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville

Florida sends SHIP money to all 67 counties and 55 cities, with a minimum of $350,000 a year per county, according to Florida Housing's SHIP overview (opens in a new tab). At least 65% must go to homeownership, and SHIP can serve households up to 140% of area median income. Each local government writes its own plan, so amounts and rules differ a lot. Florida Housing's local SHIP office directory (opens in a new tab) lists every contact.

Miami-Dade County. According to the county's Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program page (opens in a new tab), Housing and Community Development offers an interest-free loan of up to $35,000, deferred up to 30 years with no monthly payment. Income limits are $95,620 for 1 person, $109,200 for 2, $122,920 for 3 and $136,500 for 4. You need 1% of the price from your own money. If you sell early, the county takes a share of the profit: 100% in years 1 to 3, 50% in years 4 to 6, and none after 6. The page shows no effective date. Separately, the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust's Homeownership Assistance Program (opens in a new tab) offers up to $28,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan.

Broward County (Fort Lauderdale area). According to the Broward Homebuyer Purchase Assistance program flyer, updated August 2026 and linked from the county's housing page (opens in a new tab), help is open in only 2 places. Specifically, Hollywood offers up to $50,000 (up to 120% of median income) and Pembroke Pines up to $75,000 with "limited funds." Every other listed community, including unincorporated Broward, shows "no funds," with new allocations expected in November 2026. The 80% income limit is $101,400 for a family of 4 and the maximum sales price is $679,324. Your lender reserves the money; there's no online application.

Orange County (Orlando area). Orange County's Down Payment Assistance page (opens in a new tab) lists $70,000 for very low-income buyers, $40,000 for low-income buyers and $10,000 for moderate-income buyers, with income limits effective May 1, 2026 (for a family of 4: $57,450, $91,900 and $137,880). But the program is closed. The county says it's waiting for the state to release SHIP funds, isn't accepting new applications, and expects to reopen March 1, 2027. New applicants go on a waitlist.

Hillsborough County (Tampa). Hillsborough County's down payment page (opens in a new tab) says its Housing Finance Authority offers a 0% second mortgage. According to the HFA of Hillsborough County program guide, revised July 7, 2026 (PDF (opens in a new tab)), it's $15,000 for loans in the county outside Tampa since May 11, 2026 (down from $30,000) and $5,000 inside the City of Tampa. It's 0% for 30 years, due on sale, refinance, transfer or rental, and the guide says it's "never forgiven." The same guide lists a 640 credit minimum.

Duval County (Jacksonville). The HFA of Hillsborough's multi-county guide also covers all of Duval County through the Jacksonville HFA, with up to $10,000 effective March 4, 2026, on the same 0% deferred terms. The City of Jacksonville's own Head Start to Homeownership pages returned "page not found" on November 3, 2026, so we've left out city figures. Call the city's Housing and Community Development Division to ask what's open.

Mortgage credit certificates are local now

Florida Housing hasn't issued an MCC since December 31, 2020. Two local issuers still list one: Broward County's housing page links an MCC program, and the HFA of Hillsborough guide offers a 20% MCC with no annual cap in Hillsborough, Clay and Duval. An MCC is a federal tax credit claimed on IRS Form 8396 (opens in a new tab), and it can trigger recapture tax if you sell within 9 years.

FHA, VA and USDA Loans in Florida

Florida Housing's first mortgages are FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans, so these federal programs are usually the base under the down payment help, not a separate path.

The national guide covers each of these in detail. If you're struggling with rent while you save, our rental assistance programs guide lists other options, and our USDA housing grants guide explains rural repair and purchase help.

What Florida Housing Doesn't Tell You

Florida Housing's homebuyer pages list 4 down payment options but leave out several things that change your real cost.

  1. "Assistance" is a lien. Florida Assist and Hometown Heroes stay on your title for up to 30 years. If you refinance when rates drop, you'll need the cash to repay them. Buyers often underestimate this, especially with Hometown Heroes, where the average loan was about $16,000.
  2. The program doesn't publish a funds balance. The 2025 Hometown Heroes round ran out in 6 months. If you're counting on it, reserve early through a lender and have a backup plan.
  3. Only one program, once. You can use Florida Housing's homebuyer programs one time per borrower. Choosing Florida Assist now means you can't use Hometown Heroes later.
  4. Recapture tax depends on the loan type. Florida Housing's term sheet says TBA loans aren't subject to recapture tax, but its bond loans are. Recapture applies only if you sell within 9 years, make a profit and your income rose above the federal limit, all three. Florida Housing's recapture reimbursement plan (opens in a new tab) covers only bond loans closed before January 1, 2026, and never MCC holders. The IRS form is Form 8828 (opens in a new tab).
  5. Seconds can't stretch an appraisal gap. Florida Housing's funds can't cover the difference if the home appraises below the price, and they can't pay a realtor commission or your debts.
  6. County money depends on state checks. Orange County's closure shows that SHIP help can stop when state disbursements are late, even with income limits posted.

Common Mistakes and Red Flags

The most expensive mistakes are treating a 0% deferred loan as free money and paying someone to apply. Watch for these:

  • "Free grant" ads. USA.gov (opens in a new tab) says the federal government doesn't give grants or "free money" to individuals to buy a home. Real Florida help comes through Florida Housing's lenders or your county.
  • Application fees. Florida Housing's Hometown Heroes page warns there's no cost to apply and that scammers often demand an upfront fee. Report them to Florida Housing's Inspector General at 850-488-4197. The FTC's government grant scams page (opens in a new tab) gives the same warning.
  • Not checking the lender. Only a participating lender can reserve Florida Housing funds. Use Florida Housing's Lender and Real Estate Agent Locator (opens in a new tab).
  • Skipping the course until the end. A common mistake is finishing homebuyer education after the loan is underwritten. It must be done before closing; post-closing courses fail the requirement.
  • Ignoring household income rules. Bond loans count the income of everyone 18 and older in the home, including a spouse who isn't on the loan. That's where many applications fail.
  • Wiring closing money on an emailed instruction. Call your title company at a number you already know before you wire anything.

How to Apply, Step by Step

Florida Housing doesn't take applications directly. Everything starts with a participating lender, and the lender reserves your assistance in Florida Housing's system.

  1. Check your county limits in the table above, using total household income for bond loans and the loan application income for TBA loans.
  2. Pull your credit. You need at least 640.
  3. Find a participating loan officer through Florida Housing's locator. Ask which first mortgage (TBA or bond) and which second fits you.
  4. Take an approved pre-purchase homebuyer course. Our guide to applying for grants as an individual explains how to spot a real program, and HUD's housing counselor finder (opens in a new tab) lists approved agencies.
  5. Ask your county SHIP office whether it has money open and whether it can be layered with your first mortgage.
  6. Get a contract and reserve. Florida Housing loans must be purchased within 60 days of reservation, so timing matters with new construction, which needs a certificate of occupancy before reservation.
  7. Read your second mortgage note at closing so you know exactly what triggers repayment.

If Funds Run Out or You're Denied

Florida's programs have no formal appeal; they're loans, and the lender's underwriting decides. Here's what to do instead:

  • If Hometown Heroes is out of money, Florida Assist, FL HLP and the PLUS second are separate programs and may still be available through the same lender.
  • If your county is closed, ask to join the waitlist, as Orange County offers, and check neighboring city programs. Broward lists different status by city.
  • If you're over income, compare the FL HLP and Hometown Heroes limits, which are higher than Florida Assist's.
  • If your credit is under 640, a HUD-approved counselor can help you build a plan, and you can reapply later.
  • If you're denied on debt-to-income, remember that the FL HLP payment counts against you. A deferred second won't.

Our HUD income limits guide explains how area median income bands work, our HOME program guide covers the federal money behind many city programs, and our home repair grants guide helps after you buy. Other states run very different programs: see California, Texas and New York. If you need help with bills while you save, Grantsights' free eligibility checker points you to official programs for rent, utilities and other needs. It doesn't give out grants or approve home loans; it shows where to go.

FAQ: Florida First-Time Home Buyer Programs

Does Florida give grants to first-time home buyers?

Mostly no. The state's help is second mortgages; only the PLUS second is fully forgiven, after 5 years.

How much is Florida's down payment assistance in 2026?

Up to $10,000 (Florida Assist), $12,500 (FL HLP), 3% to 5% of the loan (PLUS), or $10,000 to $35,000 (Hometown Heroes).

Is the Florida Hometown Heroes program open right now?

Florida Housing lists the 2026 program but posts no remaining balance; ask a participating lender.

What credit score do I need for Florida Housing's programs?

640, or 660 for manual underwriting.

What are the income limits for Florida first-time home buyer programs?

They vary by county, from $118,440 to $163,440 for 3 or more people under Florida Assist in the 8 counties above.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer?

Yes, unless you buy in a targeted area or qualify for the veteran exemption.

Can I combine Florida Housing assistance with county help?

Sometimes, if every program approves the layering.

What happens to Florida Assist if I sell or refinance?

You repay the full amount.

Sources

  1. Florida Housing: Homebuyer Overview (opens in a new tab) - Florida Assist, FL HLP, PLUS second, 640 credit minimum, 3-year rule; checked November 3, 2026
  2. Florida Housing: Hometown Heroes Program (opens in a new tab) - HTH 2026 eligibility, 5% / $10,000 / $35,000 terms, scam warning; checked November 3, 2026
  3. Florida Housing: 2026 Hometown Heroes Income and Loan Limits (opens in a new tab) - effective with reservations as of May 6, 2026; revised July 13, 2026
  4. Florida Housing: Hometown Heroes 2025 press release (opens in a new tab) - February 27, 2026; $50 million round, averages, totals since 2022
  5. Florida Housing: Standard TBA Lender Guide (opens in a new tab) - September 17, 2026; 2026 income and loan limits effective with reservations made May 6, 2026
  6. Florida Housing: Master First Mortgage Term Sheet (opens in a new tab) - September 17, 2026; credit, DTI, fees, recapture, one-time use
  7. Florida Housing: Hometown Heroes TBA Lender Guide (opens in a new tab) - September 17, 2026; 640 minimum, not forgivable
  8. Florida Housing: Mortgage Credit Certificate FAQs (opens in a new tab) - no MCCs issued since December 31, 2020
  9. Florida Housing: Recapture Tax Reimbursement Plan (opens in a new tab) - bond loans closed before January 1, 2026
  10. Florida Housing: SHIP Overview (opens in a new tab) and SHIP Purchase Price Limits (opens in a new tab) - 2025 limits, latest posted as of November 3, 2026
  11. Florida Housing: Local SHIP office contacts (opens in a new tab)
  12. Florida Housing: Lender and Real Estate Agent Locator (opens in a new tab)
  13. Miami-Dade County: Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (opens in a new tab) - checked November 3, 2026; no effective date shown
  14. Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust: Homeownership Assistance Program (opens in a new tab) - checked November 3, 2026
  15. Broward County: Home Buyer Program (opens in a new tab) and HPA flyer (opens in a new tab) - updated August 2026
  16. Orange County: Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance (opens in a new tab) - closure extended, anticipated reopening March 1, 2027; income limits effective May 1, 2026
  17. Hillsborough County: Down Payment Assistance (opens in a new tab) and HFA of Hillsborough County program guide (opens in a new tab) - revised July 7, 2026
  18. HUD: FHA loans (opens in a new tab) and HUD housing counselor finder (opens in a new tab)
  19. VA: Purchase loan (opens in a new tab) and USDA: Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan (opens in a new tab)
  20. IRS: Form 8396 (opens in a new tab) and IRS: Form 8828 (opens in a new tab)
  21. USA.gov: Homeownership vouchers (opens in a new tab) and FTC: Government grant scams (opens in a new tab)

Last updated November 3, 2026. Published by Grantsights from public sources. See our editorial policy, how we build and check guides, corrections and how we make money.

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