Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) Programs:
Updated October 8, 2026Florida statewide programs are managed by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). FHFC offers low rate 30 year fixed first mortgages through approved lenders plus several second mortgage down payment and closing cost assistance options. SHIP funds are allocated to every county and many cities — local LHAPs set exact amounts and rules. Verify current rates, limits, and availability at floridahousing.org (Homebuyer overview) and the FHFC Hometown Heroes page below.
Hometown Heroes Housing Program:
Eligibility: Eligible workforce occupations employed full time by a Florida based employer (teachers, health care workers, first responders, public safety and court staff, child care workers, many servicemembers and veterans). First time buyer rules may be waived for veterans or buyers in some targeted areas — check FHFC for the exact occupational list and exemptions.
Offerings: FHFC Hometown Heroes provides a 0% non amortizing deferred second mortgage sized at up to 5% of the FHFC first mortgage (maximum $35,000, minimum $10,000). Repayment is typically due on sale, refinance, transfer of deed, or when the home ceases to be the primary residence. Hometown Heroes pairs with FHFC participating first mortgage products (FHA/VA/USDA/Conventional) through approved lenders — check reservation status and pairing rules at the FHFC page: FHFC Hometown Heroes details. For county specific income and loan limits see FHFCs official Hometown Heroes income and loan limits table: FHFC Hometown Heroes income and loan limits (PDF). Note: Hometown Heroes funding is allocated each fiscal year and can be committed or exhausted during the year; FHFC press releases and the program page track reservation and funding status. (FHFC funding update)
- Income: FHFC county based income limits apply. See the FHFC Hometown Heroes income and loan limits table for exact county figures.
- Credit score: FHFC Homebuyer guidance lists a minimum FICO around 640 for FHFC first mortgages; FHA/VA/USDA have their own federal floors and lenders may overlay requirements.
- DTI: Lender and loan product dependent; typical underwriter ceilings for many FHFC paired products often fall in the roughly 45 to 50 percent combined range, though allowable DTI varies by product and lender overlays.
- Homebuyer education: Approved counseling is required for most FHFC down payment assistance programs (VA borrowers may have exemptions for certain education requirements).
Florida Assist (FL Assist) Down Payment Assistance:
Benefits: FL Assist typically offers up to $10,000 as a 0% interest non amortizing deferred second mortgage when used with an FHFC first mortgage (repayable on sale, refinance, or payoff). FL Assist must be paired with an FHFC first mortgage. See FHFC Homebuyer overview for the official description and pairing rules: FHFC Homebuyer overview (FL Assist).
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP):
Description: SHIP distributes state funds to all 67 counties and many cities; each local government LHAP determines what assistance is offered (deferred loans, forgivable loans, grant caps, purchase price limits). FHFC publishes SHIP guidance and local LHAPs publish flyers and application portals — check the LHAP for the authoritative local limits: FHFC SHIP.
Local Programs (Examples & where to verify):
Local SHIP, surtax, and city DPA programs can provide substantial additional assistance. These examples are current as of October 8, 2026 but always check the linked official page for exact income limits, reservation status, and program rules.
Miami-Dade County
Surtax / Down Payment Assistance (HLP/DPA): Miami-Dade Housing and Community Development describes surtax funded Homebuyer Loan and Down Payment Assistance programs (0% deferred loans; income tiers apply). Verify eligibility and current maximums at the county housing pages: miamidade.gov/housing.
Orange County (Orlando Area)
Orange County Down Payment Assistance: Orange County publishes tiered assistance levels for very low, low, and moderate incomes (county flyer and LHAP show current maximums and application portal). Note: Orange County posted a temporary pause to new DPA applications effective September 6, 2026; check the county page for current application status: OrangeCountyFL.net Homebuyer DPA.
Hillsborough County / City of Tampa
DARE / Community Heroes programs: The City of Tampa offers DARE (Dare to Own the Dream) and Community Heroes homeownership assistance (forgivable or deferred seconds in many cases). City HCD provides program overviews and reservation instructions — check latest amounts, waitlist status, and income caps at tampa.gov/housing-and-community-development.
Duval County (Jacksonville)
Headstart to HOME Ownership (H2H) / SHIP: Local programs in Duval and Jacksonville provide SHIP or HOME funded down payment assistance. The City of Jacksonville H2H page shows assistance up to $25,000 (subject to HUD income caps and funding availability); confirm current award caps and waitlist status with the City of Jacksonville Housing & Community Development before relying on local dollar limits: Jacksonville HCD housing services.
Additional Information:
- USDA Loans: USDA Rural Development guaranteed loans can offer 0% down financing in eligible rural areas; check USDA RD property eligibility and income limits at rd.usda.gov.
- VA Loans: VA purchase loans commonly allow no down payment for eligible veterans and servicemembers (Certificate of Eligibility required); see the VA official site for eligibility and process: VA Home Loans.
- FHA Loans: FHA permits a minimum 3.5% down for borrowers meeting FHA rules (commonly a 580 minimum score for the 3.5% down tier per FHA guidance; lenders may overlay); see HUD and FHA resources for official credit and down payment tiers: HUD / FHA. For FHFC first mortgage pairing requirements, see FHFC lender pages and FHFC Homebuyer overview: floridahousing.org.
Florida programs emphasize essential worker support and local flexibility. Always confirm current income limits, purchase price caps, reservation status, and lender pairing rules directly via FHFC and the county or city LHAP or housing department links above before advising buyers on eligibility.
Seeking Agents connects buyers with Florida agents experienced in these programs who compete to offer reduced commissions or added services free for buyers and sellers.