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 — check FHFC for the exact occupational list.
Offerings: Competitive market 30‑year fixed first mortgage (FHA/VA/USDA/Conventional) through FHFC participating lenders, reduced upfront fees/no origination points on many FHFC products, plus down payment/closing cost assistance equal to up to 5% of the first mortgage (commonly capped at $35,000 with a $10,000 minimum) delivered as a 0% deferred second mortgage (repayable on sale/refinance/payoff). See FHFC for current reservation status and limits. FHFC Hometown Heroes details.

• Income: County‑based FHFC income limits apply (varies by county and household size; HTH program uses FHFC bond income limits).
• Credit score: varies by first‑mortgage product — FHFC lender pages commonly list minimums in the 620–640 area for many products, but FHA/VA/USDA rules differ; lenders may overlay higher scores.
• DTI: Lender/loan‑product dependent; typical underwriter ceilings commonly fall in the ~45–50% combined range for many FHFC products.
• 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). See FHFC Homebuyer overview for the program description and pairing rules: FHFC Homebuyer overview.

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 annual allocations and LHAP procedures — local offices publish the program flyers and application portals. FHFC SHIP resources: 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 May 2026 but always check the linked official page for the county/city 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). Miami‑Dade lists county program parameters and maximums on its housing pages — verify eligibility and current maximums at 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 the 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. Many third‑party summaries list H2H awards up to $25k–$50k, but an authoritative, up‑to‑date City of Jacksonville H2H program page with current caps was not found in this crawl — verify with the City of Jacksonville Housing & Community Development / LHAP or HUD local assistance page before publishing local dollar limits.

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 (COE 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 referenced 580 minimum score for 3.5% financing per FHA guidance; lenders may have overlays). 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.