Down Payment Help · Florida
Are there down payment assistance programs in Florida?
The short answer: Yes. Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the state’s housing agency, runs down payment and closing cost assistance programs, and some counties and cities offer their own. As of late October 2026, Florida Housing’s Hometown Heroes program for eligible workers was open, with funds still available. Most help comes as a second mortgage, not free cash, and every program has income, price and buyer rules.
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What kinds of help are there?
Most Florida assistance falls into three types:
- Deferred second mortgages. You borrow the assistance at no interest and repay it when you sell, refinance or move out.
- Forgivable loans. Some local programs may forgive the help over time if you stay in the home.
- Grants or lender credits. Less common, and usually small or tied to a specific lender or area.
Assistance is usually paired with a specific first mortgage through an approved lender, so the program you choose affects the loan you get.
What is Florida Hometown Heroes?
Hometown Heroes is a Florida Housing program for eligible workers buying a primary home in Florida. According to Florida Housing, the 2026 program is limited to people employed full-time by a Florida-based employer as a health care worker, school staff member, first responder, public safety or court employee, or child care worker, plus servicemembers and veterans employed full-time by a Florida-based employer.
Eligible buyers may receive between $10,000 and $35,000 toward down payment and closing costs, based on the loan amount. It is a no-interest deferred second mortgage, not a grant. It is not forgivable and is due when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed or stop living in the home. Buyers generally must be first-time buyers (veterans and active servicemembers may be exempt), meet income limits and use the program only once.
Funding is limited and first-come, first-served. Florida’s program administrator, eHousingPlus, reported more than $20 million still available at the end of October 2026, but the program has run out mid-year before. If you think you may be eligible, it is worth starting early.
What is FL Assist?
FL Assist is another Florida Housing program. It is a deferred second mortgage of up to $10,000 that may be used with Florida Housing first mortgage programs for eligible buyers. Like Hometown Heroes, it has income and purchase price limits, and it must be repaid when you sell, refinance or move out.
Are there programs in Palm Beach County and Martin County?
Some Florida counties and cities run their own purchase assistance, often funded through the state SHIP program or federal grants. These programs open and close during the year and often have waitlists, income limits and homebuyer class requirements. If you are buying in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Stuart or Port St. Lucie, I can check what is open in that area when we talk.
Who usually qualifies?
Rules differ by program, but common requirements include:
- Buying a primary home, not a rental or second home
- Being a first-time buyer, often defined as not owning a home in the last three years
- Household income under the program limit for your county
- A minimum credit score set by the program
- Completing a homebuyer education course
- Using an approved lender and a qualifying first mortgage
What should I watch out for?
Assistance can be a big help, but read the fine print. Ask how and when the help is repaid, whether it affects your first mortgage terms, and how long funding may take. Florida Housing also warns buyers never to pay anyone an upfront fee just to apply for a program. Program details change, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm current rules before you count on any program.
Where I help: Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Stuart, Port St. Lucie and across Florida, by phone, video or in person.
Quick answers
Are there down payment assistance programs in Florida?
Yes. Florida Housing runs programs such as Hometown Heroes and FL Assist, and some counties and cities offer their own. Each has eligibility, income and price rules, and funding can run out.
Is Florida Hometown Heroes still available?
As of late October 2026, Florida Housing’s administrator reported funds still available for the 2026 program. Funding is first-come, first-served and can run out, so check current status.
Do I have to pay down payment assistance back?
Usually yes. Hometown Heroes and FL Assist are deferred second mortgages repaid when you sell, refinance or move out. Some local programs may be forgivable.
Can I use assistance if I’ve owned a home before?
Many programs are for first-time buyers, often meaning no ownership in the last three years. Some programs exempt veterans and active servicemembers.
Want to see which programs you may qualify for?
Answer a few quick questions in my Instant Income Review and see which loan programs may fit you, right now. No call unless you want one, and no credit pull.
Smart Home Loans NMLS #1734077 · Darryn Stephen NMLS #2664300 · Equal Housing Opportunity. Not a commitment to lend. Programs, terms and eligibility depend on the lender and the borrower’s profile. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.