Down payment assistance in Florida: every program (2026)
Florida's statewide Hometown Heroes loan is open for the 2026 round, and dozens of city and county programs add help on top or in its place. Many local SHIP programs depend on yearly state funding, so check each card's status before you plan around it.
Florida help comes in three layers. Florida Housing runs the statewide programs, including Hometown Heroes for eligible workers and HOP for new homes. County housing finance authorities (Hillsborough, Lee, Orange, Pinellas, Manatee, Miami-Dade) pair their own first mortgages with $5,000 to $17,500 seconds, and a few issue Mortgage Credit Certificates. Cities and counties spend state SHIP money on larger loans, often $25,000 to $100,000 or more, which are usually forgiven over 10 to 30 years.
Read each card's badge first. Open means the official page says it is taking applications. Funding varies means terms are verified but the money isn't guaranteed this year (for many SHIP plans we could only check the plan filed with Florida Housing), so confirm funding before you sign a contract. Several big programs are shut right now: Orange County's DPA is closed until about March 2027 because state SHIP money hadn't been disbursed; the City of Orlando, Seminole County, Osceola County and Palm Beach County are not taking applications; Volusia County paused through at least December 31, 2026; and Polk County's Gap Financing page says funding is unavailable.
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Too many to read? The Florida program search trims this list to your county, job and situation. Every card was checked against the program's own page; here's how.
Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Florida Hometown Heroes pairs a Florida Housing 30-year fixed first mortgage with a second mortgage worth 5% of your loan (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) for down payment and closing costs. The second mortgage has 0% interest and no monthly payment, but it is not a grant: you repay it when you sell, refinance, pay off the first mortgage or stop living in the home. Funds are limited and handed out first-come, first-served through participating lenders. The quick read · Take the qualify quiz
Up to $25,000 (≤80% AMI); up to $35,000 (≤50% AMI or buyers with disabilities)
Kind of help
Deferred loan, due at sale or refinance
Who it's for
Buyers of newly constructed homes from HOP member builders/developers (non-profits incl. Habitat, for-profits, USDA-RD self-help)
Income cap
80% AMI (2026 HOP income limits effective 6/1/2026)
Price cap
HOP purchase price limits (2025 limits effective 12/1/2025)
Stacks with the state program
unknown - not stated on HOP materials
0% deferred second mortgage reserved by the builder. Available funds shown on 11/6/2026: Self-Help $70,873; Non-PJs $471,698; PJs $230,053; Hurricane Michael $0.
Income-eligible first-time buyers who are Miami-Dade residents
Income cap
Under $95,620 (1), $109,200 (2), $122,920 (3), $136,500 (4 persons)
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
HUD-approved counseling + homebuyer education; 1% of price from own funds; fixed-rate first mortgage; CLTV max 105%; County resident at application and closing
0% interest, up to 30-year deferred, due on sale/transfer/refi. Shared-equity on resale: 100% of profit to County if sold in years 1-3, 50% in years 4-6, 0% after 6. Page does not state a price limit or funding status.
Income-eligible first-time buyers purchasing inside City of Miami limits
Income cap
80% AMI (City links to FHFC income chart)
Price cap
$494,000 (existing or new construction; SHIP NOFA FY26-27)
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
No ownership in past 3 years; HUD-approved counseling workshop; at least $500 own funds; NSPIRE inspection; 30-yr fixed first mortgage from participating lender; property folio must begin with 01
SHIP NOFA posted 8/13/2026: FY 2026-27 SHIP allocation 'no less than $2,211,782'; applications opened Sept 14, 2026, first-come first-ready first-served until funds are exhausted. Loan is 0% deferred with City shared appreciation from year 3, phasing out by year 20. City page lists both $494,000 and $451,000 price caps in different steps.
First-time buyers using the HFA's bond/TBA first mortgage
Income cap
See HFA income & loan limits
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
Participating lender; homebuyer education; min FICO 660 FHA / 640 VA & conventional
Second-mortgage DPA tied to the HFA first mortgage; lock rates on 11/6/2026 page: FHA/VA 7.625%, conventional 8.000%. Exact second-mortgage terms not stated on the highlights page.
HUD-approved homebuyer education; buyer contributes 3% of price (not for VA); home inspection; lender applies on buyer's behalf
0% deferred second mortgage, 15-year term. Funds first-come first-qualified. Page marks 'No Funds' for Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Davie, Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach, Lauderdale Lakes, Margate, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, Plantation, Sunrise, Weston, Wilton Manors, Unincorporated Broward and others; Hollywood shown without a No Funds flag.
Online portal application; first-mortgage pre-approval; HUD/NeighborWorks education + County 8-hour counseling form; liquid assets max $200,000
0% deferred, 30-year term, forgiven at end. Last cycle: portal opened May 5, 2025 and closed when 100 applications were reached ($3M allocation). Page still says 'THE APPLICATION LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED'; no 2026 round found.
Very low, low and moderate income buyers in the city
Also note
Per FHFC-approved LHAP 2024-27
0% deferred loan forgiven pro rata; term 5 yrs (<$15k), 10 yrs ($15k-$40k), 15 yrs (>$40k). Verified only from the LHAP filed with Florida Housing; current open/closed status not confirmed.
County page says first-time buyers have two DPA options (Home Sweet Home and 'Affordable Income Subsidy Grant'). LHAP 2025-28 strategy 'Purchase Assistance HFA': 0% deferred, 30-year, repaid on sale or payoff of first mortgage. Lock rate 7.125% on eHousingPlus 11/6/2026.
Start with an approved counseling agency before going under contract; City-approved lender and realtor; min $2,000 buyer investment ($1,000 own funds); max liquid assets $20,000; DTI max 50%; mid credit score 600; HQS inspection
0% deferred 'silent second', fully forgiven after 20 years of owner occupancy. City news 10/28/2026: record 71 closings in FY2026, applications currently open.
Pre-purchase homebuyer education; first mortgage required; apply via Neighborly portal
Temporary closure extended through March 2027 because the State has not yet disbursed SHIP funding; no new applications, new applicants waitlisted; anticipated reopening March 1, 2027; updated guidelines training late January 2027.
Pinellas County (unincorporated and most cities; not St. Petersburg, Clearwater or Largo)
Amount
Up to $75,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
Low-income buyers (51-80% AMI)
Income cap
80% AMI: $64,250 (1), $91,750 (4)
Price cap
$394,000
Also note
8-hour HUD class + 1-hour counseling; liquid assets max $50,000; lender applies via portal; UPCS inspection
Reopened 12/1/2025; terms updated 8/1/2026. 0% deferred, forgiven after 30 years (full repayment if sold earlier). FY26-27 SHIP NOFA: $3,466,056 expected; applications July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029 or until spent.
20% of sales price plus $5,000 closing costs, up to $75,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time buyers inside city limits up to 140% AMI
Income cap
Up to 140% AMI (81-140% funding limited)
Price cap
$544,233
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
1% of price contribution; HUD-approved class; home inspection; homestead exemption; lender applies via Neighborly
Page: SHIP DPA closed to new applications due to limited funding; the CRA (South St. Petersburg CRA) DPA program is open. ≤80% AMI loans forgiven after 10 years. Priority to ≤80% AMI, special needs, and essential services personnel.
From FHFC-approved Lee LHAP 2026-29: 0% deferred, forgiven after 15 years. County also lists HOME DPA (existing homes) and CDBG homeownership assistance. Lee County website blocked automated access, so current status not verified.
Low and moderate income buyers purchasing existing homes in Cape Coral
Also note
HUD-approved first-time homebuyer counseling; full home inspection; first-qualified first-served
From FHFC-approved Cape Coral LHAP 2025-28: 0% deferred, 10-year term, forgiven at end. City Housing & Grants page says SHIP/CDBG funds are awarded to non-profit agencies and individuals cannot apply directly; current homebuyer intake channel not confirmed.
Assets ≤$50,000; ≥$750 own funds; back-end DTI ≤45%; HUD education within 18 months; no mobile homes or in-ground pools
Program page: 'Funding is unavailable at this time.' 0% five-year loan, due in full on sale/refi/non-occupancy (no forgiveness stated). County news (5/26/2026): FY26-27 SHIP $4.74M including $1.2M for ~30 DPA awards, applications July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027 - conflicts with the program page.
Up to $40,000 low income ($25,000 must go to down payment); up to $25,000 moderate
Who it's for
Buyers up to 140% AMI purchasing in Lakeland city limits
Income cap
80% AMI $69,850; 100% $87,300; 140% $122,220 (4 persons)
Also note
HUD-certified education; lender submits via Neighborly
Citywide funding available only for ≤80% AMI; 81-140% AMI funds available only in the Midtown CRA district. Terms are in the City's Gap Program Manual (not parsed).
Buyers below 80% AMI who have not owned a home in 3 years
Income cap
80% AMI: $64,250 (1), $91,750 (4)
Price cap
$330,000
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
County-sponsored homebuyer class via Suncoast Housing Connections; approved lender; min contribution $500 (VL) / $1,250 (L); no mobile homes, flood-hazard or sinkhole properties
Page says County is accepting applications for low/very low income households. 0% 30-year second mortgage, deferred then forgiven. Pasco has no large city with its own SHIP program.
Volusia County (excluding Daytona Beach and Deltona)
Amount
Up to $75,000 (1-50% AMI); up to $60,000 (51-80% AMI)
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time buyers up to 80% AMI
Income cap
Overview (July 2025): 80% AMI $72,300 for 4 persons
Price cap
$327,750 (July 2025 overview)
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
HUD-certified counseling within 2 years; must apply through an Affordable Housing Partner; $500/$1,500 minimum contribution
0% 15-year deferred/forgivable loan. Aug 6, 2026 notice: new applications paused through at least Dec 31, 2026 (except certain SHIP-funded/donated properties).
0% deferred, 20-year term, forgiven 5%/yr; shared appreciation on default. County website blocked automated access; current status not verified. North Port (largest city) has no separate SHIP program; City of Sarasota has its own LHAP.
Buyers who do not currently own a home, very low to moderate
Also note
Approved lender; priority for referrals from approved Lake County non-profits
From FHFC-posted Lake LHAP (2024-27 link): 0% deferred, 15-year, forgiven monthly pro rata. Lake County site blocked automated access. Clermont (largest city) has no separate SHIP program.
First-time buyers, very low to moderate; higher awards for Essential Service Personnel
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
Per FHFC-approved LHAP 2025-28
0% deferred, 30-year, forgiven entirely at end (also forgiven on death). County site blocked automated access. Naples (largest city) has no separate SHIP program.
USDA Rural Development: home loans with nothing down in eligible rural and suburban parts of the state.
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door: teachers, police officers, firefighters and EMTs can buy a listed HUD home in a revitalization area for half its list price, then must live in it for 3 years. HUD Good Neighbor Next Door offers 50% off list price on HUD homes in revitalization areas to law enforcement officers, teachers (pre-K-12), firefighters and EMTs; current Florida listing count not verified this session - check HUD Home Store filtered to Florida.
FHA county loan limits: FHA loans allow 3.5% down with a 580 score, up to the loan limit for your county.
Can you combine programs?
Sometimes. Hometown Heroes must use its own Florida Housing first mortgage and can't be combined with other Florida Housing down payment programs (Florida Assist, HFA Preferred/Advantage PLUS, FL HLP). But it allows another agency's stand-alone assistance, such as a city or county SHIP loan, in third-lien position, and its first mortgages are eligible with a Mortgage Credit Certificate from a local issuer. Deltona's program notes that its loan can take third position; most local programs don't say, so a participating lender confirms on your file.
County HFA seconds (OAHO, Home Sweet Home, Home Key Plus, Homebuyer's Dream, Key to Homeownership, HFA of Miami-Dade) each require that HFA's first mortgage, so they are an alternative to Hometown Heroes rather than an add-on. Compare the total cash, the rate and whether the help is forgiven or repaid.
Directory questions
Is there a down payment grant in Miami?
Most Miami help is a 0% deferred loan rather than a grant. The City of Miami offers up to $130,002 to first-time buyers inside city limits (FY 2026-27 round opened September 14, 2026), and Miami-Dade County offers up to $35,000 to county residents.
Is Orange County or Orlando down payment assistance open?
No. Orange County's program is closed through about March 2027, and the City of Orlando isn't accepting applications. Orlando Unlocked: Open Door ($45,000 on certain new Downtown homes) and the Orange County HFA's Homebuyer's Dream (up to $10,000) are open.
What down payment help is open in Tampa?
Tampa's DARE program ($30,000-$50,000, forgiven after 20 years) and the Tampa CRA program are open, along with Home Sweet Home ($5,000 in the City of Tampa) and Hometown Heroes for eligible workers.
Can I use Hometown Heroes with my county's program?
Hometown Heroes allows other agencies' stand-alone assistance in third-lien position, but each local program sets its own rules. A participating lender confirms whether both can be used on your loan.
Why does a program say funding varies?
Many city and county programs use state SHIP money that arrives yearly and runs out. Terms on those cards are verified, but call the program to confirm money is available before you sign a contract.
Summaries come from each program's official pages as of November 2026. Money runs out and rules get rewritten, so confirm with the program or a participating lender.
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