Florida first-time home buyer programs
Florida Housing Finance Corporation lists 4 programs that help buyers in Florida with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 4
- Biggest amount listed
- $35,000
- First-time buyers only
- Every program
- Income caps
- Set per program
Down payment assistance programs in Florida
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Florida Assist (FL Assist). With a Florida Housing first mortgage loan (FHA, VA, USDA or conventional); credit score 640+; homebuyer course; price limit varies by county. | Up to $10,000 | Deferred loan: 0% loan that is never forgiven. You repay it when you sell, refinance, move out or give the home to someone else. | Your income must be below the limits for the county where you buy. | Yes |
| The Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage. With florida Housing's own first mortgage loan (FHA, VA, USDA or conventional); credit score 640+; homebuyer course; price limit varies by county. | Up to $12,500 | Repayable loan: 3% loan with monthly payments over 30 years. What is left is due if you sell, refinance or move out. | Your income must be below the limits for the county where you buy. | Yes |
| 3%, 4% and 5% HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS Second Mortgage. With florida Housing's conventional HFA Preferred for TBA or HFA Advantage for TBA first mortgage; credit score 640+; homebuyer course; price limit varies by county. | Up to 5% of the home loan | Forgivable loan: 20% is forgiven each year, so after 5 years you owe nothing. | Your income must be below the limit for the county where you buy. | Yes |
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program. With an FHA, VA, RD (USDA) or Conventional first mortgage through the Hometown Heroes program; credit score 640+. | Up to 5% of the home loan, at most $35,000 | Deferred loan: 0% loan with no monthly payments for up to 30 years, never forgiven. You repay it when you sell, refinance, move out or give the home to someone else. | Must be within the 2026 Hometown Hero income and loan limits chart. | Yes |
Usually, "first-time buyers only" means you haven't owned a home during the past three years, though every program sets a rule of its own. The name of each program links to a Florida Housing Finance Corporation page that says whether applications are open right now. The agency also maintains its own list of participating lenders. Compare down payment assistance programs across all states, or ask a lender that works with Florida's programs.
How do you repay Florida's programs?
- Deferred loan: nothing to pay each month, but the full amount comes due when you sell, refinance or pay the first mortgage off.
- Repayable loan: a small second mortgage you pay back monthly, usually along with your first mortgage payment.
- Forgivable loan: keep the home and its first mortgage for the set years, and this second loan is written off.
How does your income compare with Florida's caps?
Every program has its own income cap, which the table shows, and the exact chart is on that program's agency page. Use the HUD income limits lookup (FY2026) to find the figure for your county and household size. If a program relies on its own county chart or Freddie Mac's, the result can differ from HUD's number, and the agency's chart decides.
| HUD area | Median family income | HUD low-income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $108,700 | $86,950 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $104,700 | $91,750 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $97,600 | $91,900 |
| Tallahassee | $99,500 | $79,600 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $109,700 | $91,300 |
HUD uses about 80% of the median as a starting point. Its own caps can hold that number down, including a yearly cap on increases, so the low-income limit is under 80% in a few areas.
Talk to a lender that works with Florida programs
These programs are paid out through the agency's approved lenders, so the lender is your next step. Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Florida's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.