Florida HFC Rates & Programs 2026: Florida First, $10K Assist + $35K Heroes
Florida Housing Finance Corporation runs a three-layer assistance stack: below-market first mortgages, a $10,000 deferred second at 0%, and Hometown Heroes DPA up to $35,000 for frontline workers. Here's the complete October 2026 breakdown — and which layer fits your profile.
Check Your Florida Housing Eligibility — Free
Florida First rate + FL Assist + Heroes stack. 2 minutes, no credit pull.
~6.25-6.75%
FL First Rate (Oct 2026)
below market
$10,000
FL Assist DPA
0% deferred
Up to $35K
Hometown Heroes
frontline workers
640+
Min Credit
most programs
All Florida Housing Programs — October 2026
| Program | Rate | DPA | Min Credit | Repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida First (30-yr fixed) 🏆 FLAGSHIP | ~6.25-6.75% | Pairs with FL Assist | 640+ | First mortgage |
| FL Assist (2nd mortgage) 💰 $10K DPA | 0% deferred | $10,000 flat | 640+ | Deferred — repay on sale/refi/payoff |
| FL HFA Preferred/Advantage 🔥 FORGIVABLE | ~6.4-6.9% | 3-5% forgivable DPA | 640+ | Forgiven ~20%/yr yrs 6-10 |
| Hometown Heroes 🦸 FRONTLINE | 0% deferred 2nd | 5% up to $35,000 | 640+ | Deferred 30-yr, repay on sale |
| Salute Our Soldiers 🎖️ MILITARY | Discounted | Pairs with FL Assist | 640+ | Military/vets rate break |
Who Qualifies?
First-Time Buyers (3-yr rule)
Vets Waive First-Time Rule
All 67 FL Counties
640+ Credit (most programs)
County Income Limits
Approved Lenders Only
The Florida Stack — How Buyers Combine It
Standard buyer: Florida First mortgage (~6.25-6.75%) + FL Assist $10K deferred → $10K toward down/closing, repaid only at sale/refi. On a $325K home that's most of a 3.5% FHA down payment handled.
Frontline worker: Florida First + Hometown Heroes up to $35K (5% of loan) — the single largest DPA in the state. Often covers down payment AND most closing costs on median-price homes.
Conventional route: FL HFA Preferred/Advantage = conventional first mortgage with reduced MI + 3-5% forgivable DPA — forgiven ~20%/yr in years 6-10. Best for 660+ credit buyers who want forgiveness over deferral.
Military/vets: Salute Our Soldiers adds a rate discount AND waives the first-time-buyer rule — stack it with FL Assist.
5 Florida Housing Gotchas
1. Approved lenders only
You can't take Florida Housing programs to any lender — the loan must run through a participating lender. Rates are identical across them; shop fees and speed instead.
2. Deferred ≠ forgiven
FL Assist and Heroes are DEFERRED seconds — repaid at sale, refi, or payoff. Plan for it when you eventually refinance; a refi can trigger repayment.
3. First-time = 3-year rule
Owned a home in the last 3 years? You're out — unless veteran/active-duty or buying in a targeted area.
4. Heroes occupation list changes
The eligible-occupation list shifts with legislative sessions. Verify your job title against the current list, not last year's blog post.
5. Homebuyer education required
Most programs require a HUD-approved course (~$75, 6-8 hours). Take it early — certificates have validity windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Florida HFC rate in October 2026?
Florida Housing posts a single statewide rate for Florida First loans that typically runs 0.25-0.75% below standard market — approximately 6.25-6.75% as of October 2026 depending on loan type (FHA/VA/USDA/conv). The rate is identical at every participating lender; only lender fees differ. Verify the posted rate at floridahousing.org before locking.Compare FL lender rates — free →
Q2. How much down payment assistance does Florida Housing offer?
Three layers: (1) FL Assist — $10,000 flat as a 0% deferred second mortgage, repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off. (2) FL HFA Preferred/Advantage DPA — 3-5% of the loan, forgiven gradually during years 6-10. (3) Hometown Heroes — 5% up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers, 0% deferred 30-year second. Stack eligibility rules carefully — not all combine.Check my DPA eligibility →
Q3. Who qualifies for Hometown Heroes in Florida?
Workers in ~50 eligible occupations: teachers, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs, childcare workers, active military, veterans, and more — employed full-time by a Florida-based employer. Income and purchase-price caps apply by county. The benefit: 5% of the loan up to $35,000 at 0% interest, deferred until sale/refi/payoff — the largest DPA in the Florida stack.
Q4. Do I have to be a first-time buyer for Florida Housing?
Generally yes — the rule is no ownership interest in a principal residence in the past 3 years. Two exceptions: veterans and active-duty military waive the first-time requirement entirely, and purchases in federally designated targeted areas skip it too.
Q5. What credit score do I need for Florida Housing programs?
Minimum 640 for most Florida Housing loans (some lender overlays push to 660+). Below 640? Free HUD-approved housing counselors can coach you up — most borrowers reach 640 within 3-6 months of focused work.Boost my credit score →
Q6. What are the Florida Housing income limits in 2026?
County-specific — roughly $95K-$155K household income and purchase-price caps around $425K-$625K in most counties, higher in Miami-Dade, Monroe, and targeted areas. Limits adjust annually; verify your county at floridahousing.org or with a participating lender before applying.Get pre-approved — free, 2 min →
Related Florida & DPA Guides
Up to $35K of Help Is Sitting There
Below-market rate + deferred or forgivable DPA — but only through participating lenders. Check which layer you qualify for.