BUYER'S GUIDE

Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs 2026: Complete Guide

Down payment is the #1 barrier to homeownership for Florida buyers. Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) and dozens of local agencies offer down payment assistance programs that can provide $5,000–$35,000+ to qualified buyers. Here's every program, how they work, and how to access them.

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FHFC Down Payment Assistance Programs

Florida Housing offers two main DPA products: (1) Florida Assist ($10,000) — a deferred, 0% interest second mortgage. No monthly payment. Repaid only when you refinance, sell, or pay off the first mortgage. Available with Florida First and HFA Preferred/Advantage loans. (2) Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP, $10,000) — a 3% interest, 15-year second mortgage with a monthly payment of about $69. Also available with Florida's first mortgage programs. Both require: first-time buyer status (no homeownership in 3 years), income within county limits, purchase price within county limits, minimum credit score of 640 for conventional, 620 for FHA.

County and Local DPA Programs in Florida

Many Florida counties and cities offer additional assistance beyond FHFC: Miami-Dade County — various programs up to $14,000 for eligible buyers. Orange County (Orlando) — down payment assistance for low-to-moderate income buyers. Palm Beach County — HOME Investment Partnerships program; up to $60,000 for very low income. Hillsborough County (Tampa) — down payment assistance for eligible buyers up to $14,999. City of Jacksonville — down payment assistance for qualifying buyers. Contact your county's housing authority or community development office for current program details — programs open and close based on funding availability.

Seller Contributions and Concessions

As a buyer, you can also negotiate seller concessions to cover closing costs and even part of the down payment (in certain loan programs). Sellers can contribute up to: FHA — 6% of purchase price toward buyer closing costs. Conventional — 3% (less than 10% down) to 6% (more than 10% down). VA — 4% plus reasonable closing costs. USDA — up to 6%. Sellers of flat fee MLS listings often have more flexibility on concessions since they're not paying a 3% listing commission — they can afford to contribute more to help buyers without reducing their net proceeds below what a traditional sale would yield.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions

Can I combine Florida DPA with an FHA loan?

Yes — Florida's down payment assistance programs are specifically designed to work with FHA, VA, USDA, and HFA conventional loans. The DPA provides the down payment and/or closing cost assistance; the first mortgage provides the primary loan.

Does Florida down payment assistance have to be repaid?

Florida Assist is deferred 0% interest — repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. FL HLP is a 3% interest loan with monthly payments. Some county programs are fully forgivable after a certain number of years of occupancy.

What income is too high for Florida down payment assistance?

Varies by county and family size. For FHFC programs in most counties, the approximate limit for a 1-2 person household is $80,000–$110,000. Higher-cost counties like Miami-Dade and Palm Beach have higher limits. Check FloridaHousing.org for current county-specific income limits.

How long does it take to get Florida down payment assistance?

Working with an approved FHFC lender, the DPA application is part of the overall mortgage process. It typically adds 1–2 weeks to standard processing time. Total time from application to closing: typically 30–45 days. Start the process before you find a home — don't wait until you're under contract.

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