First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Florida

Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) Programs:

Florida’s 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/closing‑cost assistance options. SHIP funds are allocated to every county and most 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 essential workers employed full‑time by a Florida‑based employer (teachers, health‑care workers, first responders, public safety/court staff, child‑care workers, many service members and veterans). First‑time buyer rule 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 (commonly capped at a maximum of $35,000 with a $10,000 minimum). Repayment is typically due on sale, refinance, transfer of deed, or when the home ceases to be the primary residence. Hometown Heroes is paired with FHFC participating first‑mortgage products (FHA/VA/USDA/Conventional) through approved lenders — check reservation status and pairing rules at the FHFC page below: FHFC Hometown Heroes details.

• Income: County‑based FHFC income limits apply (varies by county and household size; Hometown Heroes often uses FHFC bond income limits and in many cases permits incomes up to about 150% of county AMI — confirm on FHFC county tables).
• Credit score: Hometown Heroes generally requires a minimum FICO of about 640 per FHFC guidance; other FHFC first‑mortgage products may list minimums commonly in the ~620–640 range and FHA/VA/USDA have their own federal floors. Lenders may overlay higher requirements.
• DTI: Lender/loan‑product dependent; typical underwriter ceilings for many FHFC‑paired products commonly fall in the ~45–50% combined range, though allowable DTI varies by product and lender overlays.
• Homebuyer education: approved counseling required for most FHFC DPA programs.

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/payoff). FL Assist is not a stand‑alone grant — it 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’s LHAP determines what assistance is offered (deferred loans, forgivable loans, grant caps, purchase price limits). FHFC publishes SHIP guidance and local LHAPs publish the exact 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 June 1, 2026 but always check the linked official page for exact income limits, reservation status, and program rules.

Miami‑Dade County

Surtax / Down Payment Assistance (HAP): Miami‑Dade’s official Homeownership/HCD pages describe surtax‑funded Homebuyer Assistance 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/LHAP shows current maximums and application portal). See the county Homebuyer DPA page: OrangeCountyFL.net Homebuyer DPA.

Hillsborough County / City of Tampa

DARE / City of Tampa 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)

Head Start to HOME Ownership (H2H) / SHIP: Local programs in Duval/Jacksonville provide SHIP or HOME‑funded down payment assistance. Some third‑party summaries have reported H2H awards in the mid‑five‑figure range, but authoritative, current award caps should be confirmed directly with the City of Jacksonville Housing & Community Development / LHAP before repeating local dollar limits: Jacksonville H2H flyer.

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 require no down payment for eligible veterans/active duty (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/FHA resources for the official credit and down payment tiers: HUD / FHA. For FHFC first mortgage pairing requirements, see FHFC lender pages and FHFC’s 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/city LHAP or housing department links above before advising buyers on eligibility.

Seeking Agents® connects you with Florida agents experienced in these programs who compete to offer reduced commissions or added services—free for buyers/sellers.