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  • Do I Qualify?

Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs for Home Buyers

 Explore statewide and local first-time home buyer programs across Florida that can help cover your down payment, reduce upfront costs, and make homeownership more achievable.

Buying a home in Florida doesn’t always require a large down payment. Many buyers qualify for assistance programs that can help cover upfront costs, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and make purchasing a home more realistic than expected. 

Grants

Forgivable Loans

Forgivable Loans

 No repayment required 

Forgivable Loans

Forgivable Loans

Forgivable Loans

  • Forgiven over time
  • Stay in home = keep it

Deferred Loans

Forgivable Loans

Deferred Loans

 No payments now, repaid later 

Find the Right Down Payment Assistance Program for You

Hometown Heroes

Community Advantage

Buyer's Advantage

2026 Qualify for down payment assistance and first-time home buyers' programs. Florida DPA.

  • Up to 5% in down payment assistance for Florida buyers 
  • Designed for teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders
  • Helps reduce upfront costs for first-time home buyers in Florida
  • Can be combined with affordable loan options

See If You Qualify

Buyer's Advantage

Community Advantage

Buyer's Advantage

2026 Qualify for down payment assistance and first-time home buyers' programs. Florida DPA.

  • 100% financing available for qualified Florida home buyers
  • No mortgage insurance 
  • Conventional loan
  • Ideal for buyers looking for low money down home options
  • Competitive rates for first-time and repeat buyers

Check Eligibility

Community Advantage

Community Advantage

Community Advantage

2026 Qualify for down payment assistance and first-time home buyers' programs. Florida DPA.

  • $0 mortgage insurance available in select Florida counties
  • Helps lower monthly payments for long-term affordability
  • Great option for buyers seeking affordable housing programs
  • Available for both first-time and repeat home buyers

see if you qualify

Chenoa Fund

Home Buyer Dream Program

Community Advantage

2026 Qualify for down payment assistance and first-time home buyers' programs. Florida DPA.

  • FHA-based down payment assistance program
  • Forgivable assistance options available
  • Helps buyers purchase with little to no money down
  • Popular choice for first-time home buyers in Florida

Check Eligibility

Opportunity Advantage

Home Buyer Dream Program

Home Buyer Dream Program

2026 Qualify for down payment assistance and first-time home buyers' programs. Florida DPA.

  • 5-year forgivable second mortgage assistance
  • Reduces upfront costs for home buyers across Florida
  • Works with low down payment loan programs
  • Ideal for buyers needing flexible financing options

See if you qualify

Home Buyer Dream Program

Home Buyer Dream Program

Home Buyer Dream Program

  • Up to $30,000 in down payment assistance in Florida
  • Designed to make homeownership more accessible
  • Helps cover closing costs and upfront expenses
  • Great for buyers exploring first-time home buyer programs

Check eligibility

Who These Programs Are For:

- First-time home buyers - Buyers with limited savings - Moderate-income households - Florida workforce professionals - Buyers relocating within Florida


Many programs have limited funding and are available on a first-come basis. 

Explore down payment assistance options in your area:

 - Tampa  - Orlando  - Miami  - Jacksonville  - Fort Lauderdale - St. Petersburg  - Tallahassee

 - Sarasota - Fort Myers - West Palm Beach


Programs are available throughout Florida, with options varying by county, city, and funding availability. 

Find Out What You Qualify For in Florida

Programs vary. Get your personalized options.
Unlock Your Florida Homebuyer OptionsText Us to Get StartedEmail Our Team

More Down Payment Assistance Programs Available

Home Sweet Home

American Built Communities -

S.H.I.E.L.D. HomeStart

 Up to $30,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for Florida home buyers, designed to make homeownership more affordable. 

S.H.I.E.L.D. HomeStart

American Built Communities -

S.H.I.E.L.D. HomeStart

 Provides up to 3.5% of the purchase price in down payment assistance, helping first-time buyers in Florida get into a home with less upfront cost. 

American Built Communities -

American Built Communities -

American Built Communities -

 Offers closing cost and down payment assistance grants for eligible buyers in select Florida communities, making new home purchases more accessible. 

Realtors Care Foundation

Realtors Care Foundation

American Built Communities -

 A first-time home buyer grant program that provides financial assistance to help cover upfront costs and reduce the barrier to homeownership. 

TBA Plus

Realtors Care Foundation

FL Assist DPA

 Provides up to 5% of the total loan amount in down payment assistance, helping Central Florida buyers reduce out-of-pocket expenses. 

FL Assist DPA

Realtors Care Foundation

FL Assist DPA

 Offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance in Florida, supporting buyers with upfront costs and improving affordability. 

 Down payment assistance programs in Florida can vary widely depending on your location, income, and eligibility. Some programs offer thousands in upfront support, while others provide a percentage of your loan amount to help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Many programs also have limited funding and operate on a first-come basis, making timing an important factor. 

Explore Additional Homebuyer Assistance Programs

 There are many programs available — here are some of the most common options. 

 

 You may qualify for multiple homebuyer assistance programs, including options offering up to $60,000 in support. 


  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) Hometown Heroes (HTH) Second Mortgage - Bond
    2nd Mortgage, up to $23,750 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) Hometown Heroes (HTH) Second Mortgage - TBA
    2nd Mortgage, up to $23,750 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) TBA Plus Second
    2nd Mortgage, up to $23,750 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) Homeownership Loan Program (HLP) Second
    2nd Mortgage, up to $12,500 assistance
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) FL Assist DPA
    2nd Mortgage, up to $10,000 assistance
  • CBC Mortgage Chenoa Fund - FHA Forgivable DPA
    Combined Assistance, up to $25,000 (5% of Purchase Price) in assistance
  • CBC Mortgage Chenoa Fund - FHA Repayable DPA
    Combined Assistance, up to $25,000 (5% of Purchase Price) in assistance
  • National Homebuyers Fund (NHF) - Data Mortgage, Inc. dba Essex Mortgage 10 Year Amortized 2 Plus
    Combined Assistance, up to $25,000 (5% of Purchase Price) in assistance
  • National Homebuyers Fund (NHF) - Data Mortgage, Inc. dba Essex Mortgage Forgivable/Deferred Program
    Combined Assistance, up to $17,500 (3.5% of Purchase Price) in assistance
  • Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of New York - Homebuyer Dream Program (HDP)
    2nd Mortgage, up to $30,000 assistance
  • Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines - Home$tart Program
    2nd Mortgage, up to $25,000 assistance
  • Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Chicago Downpayment Plus Program (DPP)
    Grant, up to $10,000 (25% of Base Loan Amount) in assistance
  • Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Chicago Downpayment Plus® Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program
    Grant, up to $10,000 (25% of Base Loan Amount) in assistance
  • Escambia County Housing Finance Authority (ECHFA) Non-Forgivable 2nd Mortgage
    2nd Mortgage, up to $10,000 assistance
  • Escambia County Housing Finance Authority (ECHFA) Forgivable 2nd Mortgage **
    2nd Mortgage, up to $10,000 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance
  • S.H.I.E.L.D. HomeStart DPA Grant
    Grant, up to $17,500 (3.5% of Purchase Price) in assistance
  • Realtors Care Foundation (RCF) First Time Home Buyer Grant Program **
    Grant, up to $7,500 assistance
  • American Built Communities - Closing Costs and/or Down Payment Assistance Grant **
    Grant, up to $5,000 assistance


Affordable First Mortgages


  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) FL First Bond Loan
    1st Mortgage
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) FL First Bond Loan - Target Area
    1st Mortgage
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) FL Standard TBA
    1st Mortgage
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) Hometown Heroes (HTH) First Loan Program - Bond
    1st Mortgage
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) Hometown Heroes (HTH) First Loan Program - Bond Targeted
    1st Mortgage
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) Hometown Heroes (HTH) First Loan Program - TBA
    1st Mortgage
  • Escambia County Housing Finance Authority (ECHFA) 2025 Home for the Holidays Program
    1st Mortgage
  • Escambia County Housing Finance Authority (ECHFA) Big Splash Single Family First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Loan Program - Conventional
    1st Mortgage
  • Escambia County Housing Finance Authority (ECHFA) Big Splash Single Family First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Loan Program - Government
    1st Mortgage
  • Tax Credits
  • Escambia County Housing Finance Authority (ECHFA) Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
    Mortgage Credit Certificate
  • Escambia County Housing Finance Authority (ECHFA) Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) - Targeted Areas
    Mortgage Credit Certificate
  • Other Homeownership Programs
  • Hernando County Homeownership (NSP3) Housing Assistance Plan (HAP) *
    Deed Restriction, up to $60,000 assistance

Note:
* indicates that applications are currently waitlisted
** indicates the program is temporarily out of funds


Please note:

Decisions are made by the administrators of each of these programs, and eligibility requirements pertaining to the borrower and the property are subject to change.

Any individual lender may not offer all of the programs for which you may be eligible.

Any communication provided to you by Workforce Resource LLC and/or Stellar MLS and/or Duskie Smith is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon. Neither Workforce Resource LLC nor Stellar MLS nor Duskie Smith is a mortgage lender or administrator of any down payment assistance programs. 

Files coming soon.

Contact Us

Still Have Questions? Let’s Get You Started

 Whether you’re just starting or ready to move forward, we’ll help you understand your home buying options in Florida. 

No pressure. Just real answers.

Prefer email? Reach us at duskielove@gmail.com

Copyright © 2026 Florida Down Payment Assistance - All Rights Reserved.

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