Orlando's citywide program is paused, but the Open Door program still offers $45,000, plus a $10,000 bonus for first responders and nurses, on new Downtown CRA homes.
What is still open for Orlando home buyers?
The City of Orlando's citywide Down Payment Assistance Program, worth up to $45,000 and forgiven after 10 years of owner occupancy, is closed; the City says it is not accepting new applications. When it runs, it requires 12 months of residency in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk, Seminole, Volusia or Brevard County, a $544,233 price cap, a HUD-approved workshop and a city-registered lender. City employees, teachers and school administrators, and public safety staff are exempt from its 3-year first-time buyer rule, which is worth remembering for when it reopens.
What is open is Orlando Unlocked: Open Door, run by the City's Economic Development Department. It pays $45,000 in down payment assistance to buyers at or below 120% AMI ($126,480 for four on the 2025 table), but only on a new single-family home built on a formerly vacant Downtown CRA lot under the program. Builder rebates apply to homes sold at or below $375,000. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and nurses get an extra $10,000 through the first responder/nurse bonus, which fits Orlando Police and Orlando Fire Department staff. Loan terms are not stated on the City page, and the application asks for income documentation including two years of W-2s, so gather those before you contact the program.
Orange County's own DPA is also closed, so most Orlando buyers outside the Open Door homes lean on the Central Florida Homebuyer's Dream (up to $10,000) and on Florida Hometown Heroes for Orange County Public Schools teachers and other eligible workers. See the Orange County guide for the rest.
Run by Orlando
Down Payment Assistance Program
Paused for now
City of Orlando
Amount
Up to $45,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time buyers purchasing inside city limits; 12 months residency in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk, Seminole, Volusia or Brevard
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.
Buyers in Orlando also have 3 statewide programs to draw on, Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program among them. Browse every Florida program or let the program search narrow it down.
Nearly every down payment program makes you finish a homebuyer class before closing. These HUD-approved agencies around Orange County teach one or offer one-on-one counseling before you buy.
From HUD's list of housing counseling agencies. A given program may accept only certain classes.
Which class counts for you? Your loan officer knows which courses each Florida program accepts and can start your pre-approval in the same conversation. Start with the 2-minute check
Orlando, asked and answered
Is the City of Orlando down payment assistance program open?
No. The citywide program of up to $45,000 is not accepting new applications right now.
What is Orlando Unlocked: Open Door?
A City program paying $45,000 in down payment help to buyers at or below 120% AMI on new homes built on formerly vacant Downtown CRA lots under the program.
Do first responders get more in Orlando?
Yes. Law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and nurses get an extra $10,000 on Open Door homes, for $55,000 total.
Saved. Watch your phone and inbox.
When this program restarts, you'll be among the first to know. Meanwhile, want to see what's open today?
Hi, I'm Lisa. See if you're eligible for down payment assistance in Florida. I'll walk you through six quick questions, and you'll see your result before you leave the page.
