Florida Homeownership Pool (HOP): new-construction down payment help
HOP is a 0% deferred second mortgage of up to $25,000 for households at or below 80% of area median income, or up to $35,000 at or below 50% AMI or for buyers with disabilities, on a newly built home from a HOP member builder. Status: funding-dependent. Confirm the pool still has money before you commit to a lot or floor plan.
Homeownership Pool (HOP) Program
Limited funds
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Amount
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.
Want a heads-up? Homeownership Pool (HOP) Program draws from a limited pot that can empty out. We'll tell you when a new round is funded.
How HOP works
The Homeownership Pool is a statewide Florida Housing Finance Corporation program, but you never apply to it on your own. The builder or developer selling you the house is the one who reserves HOP money for your purchase. The assistance is recorded as a second mortgage at 0% interest with payments deferred, so it is not a grant; read the note for the exact events that make it due.
Money sits in separate pools, and some are nearly empty. On the Florida Housing page checked November 6, 2026, the balances were: Self-Help $70,873, Non-PJs $471,698, PJs $230,053 and Hurricane Michael $0. Which pool your home draws from depends on where it is and who built it, so a home in an area tied to an empty pool may not get HOP at all right now.
Who qualifies for HOP?
Home type: new construction only, bought from a HOP member builder. Members include non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity affiliates, for-profit builders and USDA Rural Development self-help housing groups.
Income: at or below 80% AMI under the 2026 HOP income limits (effective June 1, 2026). The larger $35,000 award is for households at or below 50% AMI or buyers with a disability.
Price: the home must fall under HOP purchase price limits (2025 limits, effective December 1, 2025).
First-time rule: the summary used here does not state one, so ask the builder.
Can HOP be used with Hometown Heroes?
Hometown Heroes guidance says its second mortgage cannot be combined with other Florida Housing down payment programs, and HOP is a Florida Housing program. HOP's own materials don't address the question, so plan on choosing one and have the builder and a participating lender confirm. Buyers who don't hold a Hometown Heroes job may find HOP the bigger benefit anyway, since it reaches $25,000 to $35,000 without any occupation test. Local SHIP help from your city or county is a separate question that only the lender and local office can answer.
How to get started
Ask any new-home builder or local Habitat affiliate whether it is a HOP member.
Ask which HOP pool your home would draw from and whether that pool has a balance today.
Get pre-approved for the first mortgage and compare your income to the HOP limits.
Let the builder reserve the funds before you sign final paperwork.
No. It is a 0% interest second mortgage with payments deferred. Ask the builder or lender which events make it due.
How much can I get from HOP?
Up to $25,000 if your household is at or below 80% AMI, or up to $35,000 at or below 50% AMI or if a buyer has a disability.
Is HOP funding available right now?
It depends on the pool. On November 6, 2026 balances ranged from $471,698 (Non-PJs) to $0 (Hurricane Michael). The builder confirms availability when it reserves funds.
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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When this program restarts, you'll be among the first to know. Meanwhile, want to see what's open today?
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