Tampa Dare to Own the Dream (DARE) down payment assistance
The City of Tampa's DARE program gives first-time buyers earning 50.01% to 140% of area median income $30,000, $40,000 or $50,000 toward a home inside city limits, forgiven after 20 years. Applications are open.
Dare to Own the Dream (DARE) Homeownership Program
Taking applications
City of Tampa
Amount
$50,000 (50.01-80% AMI), $40,000 (80.01-120%), $30,000 (120.01-140%); 0-50% AMI not eligible
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time buyers 50.01%-140% AMI buying inside Tampa city limits
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.
DARE is a 0% deferred "silent second" mortgage: no payments, no interest, and fully forgiven after 20 years of living in the home. The award depends on your income tier:
Income (% of AMI)
Award
2026 cap, 4 persons
50.01-80%
$50,000
$91,750
80.01-120%
$40,000
$137,640
120.01-140%
$30,000
$160,580
Households at or below 50% AMI are not eligible. The City reported a record 71 DARE closings in FY2026 in a release dated October 28, 2026, and said applications are open.
Who qualifies?
First-time buyers purchasing inside Tampa city limits, priced at $450,000 or less.
Middle credit score of at least 600 and debt-to-income no higher than 50%.
At least $2,000 invested in the purchase, $1,000 of it your own money; liquid assets no more than $20,000.
A City-approved lender and realtor, plus an HQS inspection.
DARE with Hometown Heroes and other help
Hometown Heroes lets another agency's stand-alone DPA take third-lien position, and DARE is a City program, so an eligible Tampa teacher or firefighter can ask about using both; a participating lender confirms. Homes inside a Tampa Community Redevelopment Area may instead fit the CRA program, which has the same tiers and no price cap. The Hillsborough HFA's Home Sweet Home pays $5,000 in Tampa.
How to apply
Start with a City-approved housing counseling agency before you go under contract.
Get pre-approved with a City-approved lender.
Shop with a City-approved realtor for a home in city limits at or under $450,000.
The counseling agency submits your DARE file.
Common DARE stumbling blocks
The $20,000 cap on liquid assets catches some buyers who have saved diligently, so ask the counseling agency how retirement accounts and gift funds are counted. The 600 middle score is lower than many programs, but the 50% debt-to-income ceiling still applies to your whole budget, including taxes and insurance. Going under contract before you start with an approved counseling agency is the classic mistake; the City wants counseling first. Finally, the HQS inspection can flag repairs a seller must fix, so build time into your contract for that. Buyers who line these items up early move through the program faster.
Our summary of the official program page as of November 2026. Funding and terms change; get the current version from the program or a participating lender. Florida Down Payment Assistance has no tie to this program.
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