Florida Down Payment Assistance: Complete State Guide 2026

Florida's housing market is one of the most competitive and expensive in the nation — but it also has one of the more comprehensive systems of down payment assistance (DPA) for first-time and low-to-moderate-income buyers. State programs, county SHIP allocations, and city-level gap financing can dramatically reduce what you need to bring to closing. Here's every major program available in 2026.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation: The State Hub

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) administers the state's primary DPA infrastructure. All programs pair with a Florida Housing first mortgage.

Florida Housing First Mortgages

Florida Housing offers 30-year fixed FHA, FHA 203(k) Limited, VA, USDA and conventional (HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage) first mortgages through participating Program Lenders. Its assistance is only available paired with one of these first mortgages. Requirements:

• First-time homebuyer: you can't have owned and lived in a primary residence in the last three years
• Minimum credit score of 640
• Approved homebuyer education course
• Income and purchase price limits set by the county where you buy

FL Assist

Up to $10,000 as a 0% deferred second mortgage. No monthly payment, but it is not forgiven: it's repaid when you sell, transfer the deed, refinance, pay off the first mortgage or stop living in the home. Works with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional Florida Housing loans.

Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP)

$12,500 at a 3% fixed rate over 30 years, with a monthly payment of about $52.70. Lenders may count that payment in your debt-to-income ratio.

HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS

3%, 4% or 5% of the total loan amount, forgiven 20% a year over five years. Only available with Florida Housing's conventional HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage first mortgages.

Hometown Heroes (2026)

Up to 5% of the first mortgage, from $10,000 to $35,000, as a 0% deferred 30-year second mortgage that is not forgiven. For first-time, income-qualified buyers who work full-time for a Florida-based employer in health care, schools, first response, public safety or courts, or child care, plus eligible military members and veterans. Funding is limited.

Florida Housing Income Limits

Income and purchase price limits depend on the county and the program, and Hometown Heroes has its own 2026 limits. We check the current limits for your county when you apply. Program facts above are from floridahousing.org, checked October 2026.

SHIP: The County-Level DPA Layer

Florida's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) distributes state housing funds to all 67 counties, which administer their own DPA programs with local rules. Key features:

• Deferred second mortgage (no monthly payment)
• Typically $5,000–$20,000 in assistance depending on county funding cycle
• Income limits generally at 80–120% of Area Median Income
• Often stackable with Florida Housing first mortgage programs

Contact your county's Community Development or Housing Services office to ask about current SHIP availability — funding cycles deplete and replenish annually.

City-Level DPA Programs (Selected)

City of Miami: HomeOwnership Program — gap financing for buyers in Miami city limits.

City of Jacksonville: Consolidated Loan Program — DPA for Jacksonville proper buyers.

City of Tampa: periodic local DPA programs for Tampa city limit purchases.

City of Orlando: Down Payment Assistance Program — city funds for income-qualifying buyers.

City of St. Petersburg: Homebuyer Assistance Program — for St. Pete city limit purchases.

City of Tallahassee: City-administered SHIP supplement for Tallahassee buyers.

Availability and funding amounts change year to year. Always verify current status with the city housing office before planning around these programs.

Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Programs in Florida

HomeReady (Fannie Mae) and Home Possible (Freddie Mac): 3% down conventional loans with reduced mortgage insurance for buyers at or below 80% Area Median Income. Can be paired with SHIP or Florida Housing DPA as a second lien.

Community Seconds: Fannie/Freddie allow subordinate financing (SHIP, city DPA) to be used as the down payment source — no requirement to come up with the 3% from personal funds if DPA covers it.

How to Stack Programs for Maximum Benefit

Maximum assistance scenario (Orange County, first-time buyer, $370,000 purchase):

1. Florida Housing FHA first mortgage (below-market rate)
2. FL Assist: up to $10,000 (0% interest, deferred)
3. Orange County SHIP DPA: $10,000–$15,000 (deferred, subject to availability)
4. Seller concession: 3–6% of purchase = $11,100–$22,200 toward closing costs

Result: potentially $30,000 or more in combined help from DPA and seller concessions, depending on county funding and what the seller agrees to.

Common DPA Misconceptions

"DPA is a grant — I don't have to pay it back." Usually not. FL Assist and Hometown Heroes are deferred loans you repay when you sell, refinance or move out. Only the HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS second mortgage is forgiven, at 20% a year over five years.

"I make too much to qualify." Florida county income limits vary significantly. A household earning $95,000 in Collier County may qualify; the same income in Marion County would not. Always verify current limits.

"DPA is free." Florida Housing first-mortgage rates can be higher than a standard loan, so compare the total cost with and without assistance before you decide.

FAQ

Can I use DPA with a VA loan? Yes. Florida Housing offers VA first mortgages, and FL Assist can be paired with them. Eligible military members and veterans may also qualify for Hometown Heroes. Some county SHIP programs allow VA too.

Can I combine Florida Housing DPA with a USDA loan? Yes. Florida Housing offers USDA first mortgages, and FL Assist works with them. Verify that the property is in a USDA-eligible area.

How long does DPA take to arrange? Florida Housing loans close through an approved participating Program Lender. Add 5–10 business days to standard timelines for DPA documentation.

Let's Find Your DPA Stack

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