Down payment assistance, grants, forgivable loans, and tax credits available to Florida buyers. Each program below is verified, with eligibility rules, benefit amounts, and a direct link to the official agency.
Last reviewed September 2026·4 programs·6 federal programs
Administered by Florida Housing Finance Corporation
5% of loan amount ($10,000 min - $35,000 max)
Down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. Repaid in full when you sell, transfer, refinance, pay off the first mortgage, or move out - not forgiven. New funding round ($50M) opens July 13, 2026, first-come first-served.
Income limit
2026 Hometown Heroes TBA second-mortgage income limits vary by county (effective with reservations as of 5/06/2026; see 2026 limits PDF)
Minimum credit score640
First-time buyer requiredYes
Profession-specifichealth care workers, school staff, first responders, public safety and court employees, child care workers (all employed full-time by a Florida-based employer); active-duty military/reserves/Coast Guard/Florida National Guard; veterans employed full-time by a Florida-based employer
Special requirements: Must work full-time ON-SITE for an eligible Florida employer in a qualifying frontline occupation (healthcare, K-12 schools, first responders, law enforcement, courts/childcare, military/veterans). Remote workers excluded; hybrid requires 3+ days on-site.
HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUS Second Mortgage
Administered by Florida Housing Finance Corporation
3%, 4% or 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount
0%, non-amortizing 5-year second mortgage forgiven 20% per year; any unpaid balance is due if the borrower sells, refinances, transfers deed, pays off the first mortgage or stops occupying the home within 5 years. Available only with Florida Housing's conventional HFA Preferred (Fannie Mae) or HFA Advantage (Freddie Mac) TBA first mortgages.
Income limit
Must meet Florida Housing first-mortgage income and purchase price limits for the county
Minimum credit score640
First-time buyer requiredYes
Special requirements: Conventional HFA Preferred/HFA Advantage first mortgage only; approved homebuyer education required; IRS first-time-buyer definition (no ownership/occupancy of a primary residence in prior 3 years)
View official program page
Apply through a Florida Housing approved participating lender (Lender and Real Estate Agent Locator on floridahousing.org)Verified September 2026
Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage
Administered by Florida Housing Finance Corporation
$12,500
$12,500 second mortgage at a fixed 3% rate, fully amortizing over 30 years (monthly payment about $52.70); remaining balance due on sale, refinance, transfer, payoff of the first mortgage or non-occupancy. Usable with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional Florida Housing first mortgages.
Income limit
Must meet Florida Housing first-mortgage income and purchase price limits for the county
Minimum credit score640
First-time buyer requiredYes
Special requirements: Must be paired with a Florida Housing first mortgage; monthly payment counts in DTI; homebuyer education required
3% minimum down payment with no minimum borrower contribution; income at or below 80% AMI (2026 AMIs effective June 13, 2026); reduced, cancellable mortgage insurance; $2,500 credit for very low-income first-time buyers on loans purchased through February 28, 2027.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?
Most Florida programs require first-time buyer status, but the definition is broader than most people think — the IRS considers you a first-time buyer if you haven't owned a primary residence in the last three years. Each program above lists its specific rules.
What credit score do I need?
Minimum credit scores vary by program. Most Florida programs require 620 to 660, though some lower-tier products accept lower scores with manual underwriting. Check each program's eligibility section above.
How do I actually apply?
Most state programs aren't applied to directly — you go through a participating lender, who handles the program application as part of your mortgage. Each program above links to the official agency page with the current list of approved lenders.
Can I combine multiple programs?
Often yes — many states allow you to stack a state down-payment grant with a federal FHA or VA loan. Some programs explicitly forbid combining; check each program's "special requirements" above.
Do these programs cost anything?
The programs themselves are free to apply for. Some require completing a homebuyer education course (typically $50–$100, sometimes free). Forgivable second mortgages technically don't cost you unless you sell or refinance early — read the terms carefully.
