Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs: What's Available and How to Apply
Florida has four state-level programs covering $10,000–$35,000 in down payment and closing cost help — and most first-time buyers find out about them after they've already closed.
The 4 Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs
Deferred second mortgage, 0% interest, no monthly payments. Repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage. Available to all FL first-time buyers who meet income limits. No occupation requirement.
For teachers, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement, military, EMTs, and 100+ eligible occupations. 0% interest, deferred. Funds are limited and first-come, first-served — apply before you shop.
3% interest, amortized over 10 years — this one has a monthly payment. Lower total cost than Hometown Heroes for buyers who plan to stay long-term. Check current income limits at FloridaHousing.org.
State Housing Initiatives Partnership funds distributed by individual counties. Miami-Dade, Orange, and Hillsborough have offered $10K–$40K+. Often stackable with state programs. Check your county's housing authority.
Figures as of June 2026. Verify current amounts and income limits at FloridaHousing.org with a FL Housing-approved lender.
Hometown Heroes tip: Funds are allocated statewide and run out. In high-demand periods, reservations fill within days of new allocations. If your occupation qualifies, start the process before you start house hunting — not after you're under contract.
How to Apply for Florida Down Payment Assistance
- Determine your program. Hometown Heroes first if your occupation qualifies. FL Assist for all other first-time buyers. Check income limits at FloridaHousing.org — they update annually.
- Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Required for all FL Housing programs. Options: Framework ($75, online, about 6 hours) or eHome America ($99). This also genuinely prepares you — it covers inspection basics, loan types, and post-purchase budgeting.
- Find a FL Housing-approved lender. Not all lenders offer DPA programs. You must work with a lender on the FHFC approved list. Ask specifically: "Are you approved to originate FL Housing DPA loans?"
- Get pre-approved and reserve DPA funds. The lender initiates the DPA reservation on your behalf. For Hometown Heroes, this locks your allocation. For FL Assist, it confirms your eligibility.
- Shop and go under contract. Your DPA works with any FL Housing-eligible property — most single-family homes, townhomes, and some condos qualify. New construction qualifies too.
- Close. DPA funds appear on your Closing Disclosure as a second mortgage. You get the full first mortgage + DPA assistance at closing.
Common Reasons FL DPA Applications Get Denied
- Income above the program limit for your county and household size (limits vary — check current thresholds, not estimates)
- Working with a lender not on the FL Housing approved list
- Property doesn't meet FL Housing purchase price limits for your county
- Not completing the required homebuyer education course before application
- Hometown Heroes: occupation not on the current eligible list (list updates periodically)
- SHIP county funds depleted for the fiscal year — county programs run on limited annual budgets
Can You Stack Florida DPA Programs?
In some cases, yes. SHIP county programs are often stackable with state FL Assist or Hometown Heroes. The combined assistance can cover your entire down payment and closing costs in many FL markets. Your lender needs to be approved for both programs and will coordinate the combination.
FL Down Payment Assistance Guide — 20 Printable Pages
All 4 programs explained · DPA eligibility self-check worksheet · Income limit worksheet · Application timeline · Document checklist · Participating lender question list · Program comparison worksheet. Created by a licensed FL real estate professional.
🛒 Get the FL DPA Guide on EtsyAlso: FL First-Time Home Buyer Toolkit