Own a Home Opportunity (OAHO) Program
Taking applicationsPalm Beach, Lee, Collier, Sarasota (plus Charlotte, DeSoto)
- Amount
- $17,500 in Palm Beach; $10,500 in Lee, Collier, Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto
- Kind of help
- Deferred loan, due at sale or refinance
- Who it's for
- First-time buyers using the HFA first mortgage
- Income cap
- See HFA income limits
- First-timers only
- Yes
- Also note
- Participating lender; homebuyer education; min FICO 640
Second-mortgage DPA tied to HFA first mortgage; lock rates on 11/6/2026 page: government 7.250%, conventional 7.375%.
Checked against the official page, November 2026. How we fact-check
Check whether I fitHow OAHO works
OAHO covers several Southwest and South Florida counties. You take the HFA's first mortgage and receive a fixed-dollar second mortgage that is deferred, meaning no monthly payment now. The amount depends only on the county where you buy, not on the price or loan size:
| County | Second mortgage |
|---|
| Palm Beach | $17,500 |
| Lee, Collier, Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto | $10,500 |
On November 6, 2026 the program's posted lock rates were 7.250% for government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) and 7.375% for conventional.
Who can use OAHO?
- First-time buyers.
- Income under the HFA limits for your county.
- Credit score of at least 640.
- Homebuyer education and a participating lender.
Because the amount is flat, OAHO matters most on lower-priced homes, where $10,500 or $17,500 covers a larger share of the down payment and closing costs.
OAHO vs. Hometown Heroes and local SHIP
Both OAHO and Hometown Heroes need their own first mortgage, so a buyer picks one. Hometown Heroes pays 5% of the loan (at least $10,000, up to $35,000) but only to workers in eligible jobs; OAHO has no occupation test. Local SHIP purchase programs in Lee, Collier and Sarasota are much larger but their funding status is unconfirmed; whether one can sit behind an OAHO loan is something a participating lender confirms. Palm Beach County's SHIP program is closed.
How to apply
- Find an OAHO participating lender from the program highlights page.
- Check income limits for the county where you are buying.
- Complete homebuyer education.
- Your lender reserves the first and second together after you sign a contract.
When OAHO is the better pick
OAHO tends to win for first-time buyers who don't hold a Hometown Heroes job, for households whose loan is small enough that a $17,500 Palm Beach award beats other choices, and for buyers in Lee, Collier or Sarasota who can't wait on an unverified SHIP list. Weigh the posted rate against what you could get elsewhere, since a quarter point on the first mortgage adds up over 30 years. Because the second is deferred, ask the lender for the note and read what triggers repayment, such as selling or refinancing. Charlotte and DeSoto buyers are covered too, even though this guide doesn't have separate county pages for them.
County details: Palm Beach, Lee, Collier, Sarasota. See the credit score guide or check your eligibility.
Florida counties it covers: Palm Beach County, Lee County, Collier County, Sarasota County.
Own a Home Opportunity (OAHO) Program: your questions
How much is OAHO down payment assistance?
$17,500 in Palm Beach County and $10,500 in Lee, Collier, Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.
What credit score does OAHO require?
At least 640, plus homebuyer education and a participating lender.
Can I use OAHO with Hometown Heroes?
Usually not, since each requires its own first mortgage. Compare the two with a lender who offers both.
Find out if I fit this program
Programs to compare
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.
