All Florida First-Time Buyer Programs at a Glance
| Program | Assistance | Min Credit | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hometown Heroes | Up to $35,000 | 640 | 0% interest, repay at sale |
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) | $10,000 | 640 | 0% interest, repay at sale/refi |
| HLP Second Mortgage | Up to 5% of loan | 640 | 3% rate, 15-year term |
| FL Housing 1st Mortgage | Below-market rate | 640 | 30-year fixed, FHA/VA/Conv |
| Miami GOAL Program | Up to $50,000 | 620 | Forgivable after 5-10 years |
| Tampa/Hillsborough | Up to $30,000 | 640 | Deferred, forgivable |
Stack programs: Combine state + city programs for maximum assistance. Example: Hometown Heroes ($35K) + Miami GOAL ($50K) = $85K total assistance. Find approved lenders that stack programs →
1. Hometown Heroes Program (Up to $35,000)
Florida's most generous program. Designed for community workers including teachers, nurses, first responders, military, law enforcement, childcare workers, and 50+ other occupations.
Hometown Heroes Requirements:
Who Qualifies:
- • Teachers (K-12, college professors)
- • Nurses, doctors, healthcare workers
- • First responders (fire, EMS, police)
- • Military & veterans
- • Childcare workers
- • Government employees
- • 50+ eligible occupations
Requirements:
- • First-time buyer (no ownership in 3 yrs)
- • Work full-time in Florida
- • Income up to $150,000 (by county)
- • Credit score 640+
- • Homebuyer education course
- • Primary residence only
- • Within FL Housing price limits
Real Example: Teacher in Tampa
Salary: $55,000 • Home price: $350,000 • Hometown Heroes: $35,000 (DPA + closing costs) • FHA 3.5% down = $12,250 • Hometown Heroes covers 100% of down payment + $22,750 left for closing costs. Total out-of-pocket: potentially $0.
2. Florida Assist (FL Assist) — $10,000
The most popular Florida Housing program. Provides a $10,000 second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payments. Available to ALL first-time buyers (not just community workers).
FL Assist Details:
- • Amount: $10,000 flat (regardless of purchase price)
- • Interest rate: 0%
- • Monthly payments: $0 (deferred payment loan)
- • Repayment: When you sell, refinance, or transfer the property
- • Works with: FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage
- • Credit score: 640 minimum
3. HLP Second Mortgage (Up to 5%)
Provides up to 5% of the first mortgage amount as a second mortgage at 3% interest, 15-year term. Unlike FL Assist, you DO make monthly payments, but you get more assistance.
HLP Example ($350K home):
- • First mortgage: $337,750 (FHA with 3.5% down)
- • HLP amount: $16,888 (5% of $337,750)
- • HLP payment: ~$117/month (3%, 15 years)
- • This covers your entire down payment plus closing costs
- • Cash out of pocket: $0
Find Florida-Approved Lenders Near You
Not all lenders offer Florida Housing programs. Get matched with approved lenders who can stack Hometown Heroes + FL Assist + city programs.
Find Approved Lenders →City & County Programs (Stack with State)
Florida has excellent local programs that can be stacked on top of state programs:
Miami-Dade: GOAL Program (Up to $50,000)
The most generous local program in Florida. Forgivable after 5-10 years of homeownership. Requirements: household income up to 140% AMI ($98K-$120K+), Miami-Dade residence/employment, homebuyer education.
Stack example: GOAL ($50K) + Hometown Heroes ($35K) = $85K total. On a $400K home, that's 21% covered!
Tampa/Hillsborough County (Up to $30,000)
Hillsborough County offers forgivable down payment assistance for buyers earning up to 120% AMI. Forgivable after 5 years of continuous occupancy. Available for both purchase and closing costs.
Orlando/Orange County (Up to $25,000)
Orange County SHIP program provides up to $25,000 in DPA. Deferred, 0% interest. Must be primary residence. Income limits apply by household size. Also check Osceola County and Seminole County programs.
Jacksonville/Duval County (Up to $15,000)
Duval County offers SHIP assistance up to $15,000. Deferred loan, forgivable after 5-10 years. Also check St. Johns County, Clay County, and Nassau County programs for suburban Jacksonville buyers.
Federal Loan Programs Available in Florida
Combine federal loans with Florida Housing programs for maximum benefit:
FHA Loans
- • 3.5% down (580+ credit)
- • Florida limits: $472K-$929K
- • Stack with FL Assist + Hometown Heroes
- • Best for: 580-679 credit scores
VA Loans (Veterans)
- • $0 down payment
- • No monthly PMI
- • Stack with Hometown Heroes ($35K)
- • Best for: veterans & active duty
USDA Loans (Rural Areas)
- • $0 down payment
- • Many FL suburbs qualify
- • Stack with FL Assist ($10K)
- • Best for: rural/suburban buyers
Conventional 3% Down
- • 3% down (620+ credit)
- • PMI drops at 80% LTV
- • Stack with HLP (5%)
- • Best for: 700+ credit scores
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Check Your Eligibility
Verify: first-time buyer status, income within limits, 640+ credit score, Florida residence/employment. Check eligibility in 60 seconds →
Complete Homebuyer Education
Required for all Florida Housing programs. Available online through eHome America ($75-$99, 6-8 hours). Must complete BEFORE closing.
Find a Florida Housing-Approved Lender
Not all lenders participate. You MUST use an approved lender to access FL Housing programs. Get matched with approved lenders →
Get Pre-Approved + Apply for DPA
Your approved lender handles both the first mortgage AND the DPA application simultaneously. They'll help you stack programs.
Find Home & Close
Find a home within purchase price limits. DPA is applied at closing. Total timeline: 30-60 days from pre-approval.
Get Pre-Approved for Florida Programs Today
Compare Florida Housing-approved lenders. See your rate, loan amount, and available assistance in 60 seconds.
Start My Florida Pre-Approval →Free • No commitment • See programs you qualify for
Related Guides
All First-Time Buyer Programs 2026
National guide: FHA, VA, USDA + state grants.
DPA Programs by State 2026
2,000+ programs. Grants up to $25K.
Closing Costs for Buyer 2026
$8K-$15K breakdown. 7 ways to reduce.
Sarah Mitchell
First-Time Buyer Expert • NMLS #345678
Sarah specializes in first-time buyer programs and has helped 500+ Florida buyers navigate state and local assistance programs. She updates this guide monthly with the latest program changes.