Florida down payment assistance — the current programs, verified
Florida Housing Finance Corporation runs the statewide down-payment-assistance stack. Amounts and availability below were re-checked against the program administrator (eHousingPlus) on August 12, 2026 — and the standing rule of this page: these programs commit their funds and pause without much notice, so verify current availability with a participating lender before you rely on any of this.
The statewide programs
| Program | Amount | Structure | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) | up to $10,000 | 0-percent, non-amortizing deferred second — no monthly payment | Not forgivable: repaid in full when you sell, refinance, satisfy the first, or move out |
| FL HLP Second Mortgage | $12,500 (the current figure — older articles still say $10,000) | 3-percent amortizing second over 30 years | It carries a monthly payment, and that payment counts in your debt-to-income qualification |
| HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUS | 3, 4, or 5 percent of the first mortgage | Forgivable second — 20 percent forgiven per year over five years | Only with Florida Housing's conventional first-mortgage products |
| Hometown Heroes | up to 5 percent of the first (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) | 0-percent deferred second for eligible Florida-based workers (health care, school staff, first responders, public safety and court employees, child care workers, active military and National Guard, and veterans employed full-time by a Florida employer) | FY 2026-27 open — over $35 million available as of August 2026, per eHousingPlus, the program administrator, with the program active and 2026 limits published at Florida Housing. Prior rounds have run out in months — a participating lender locks today's status |
The rules that apply across the stack
- First-time buyer means the IRS three-year test: "you cannot have owned AND occupied your primary residence for the last three years prior to purchase" (veteran exemptions exist — confirm yours with the lender).
- Income and purchase-price limits vary by county (and household size) — see Florida Housing's homebuyer program page and the current Hometown Heroes county limits (Hometown Heroes uses its own, generally higher, limits).
- You apply through a participating lender, not to Florida Housing directly — the program page's own words: "Must work with an approved, participating, Program Lender."
- Local programs stack on top: many counties and cities run their own assistance through SHIP — find your local contact in Florida Housing's SHIP local government directory.
Reality check before you plan around any of this: assistance seconds are real liens with real terms — deferred isn't free (it's repaid at sale or refinance), amortizing seconds add a monthly payment, and forgivable ones require you to stay put. Sources above are Florida Housing's own pages as of the date shown; availability changes fast. This website is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend.
See how an assistance second changes the whole picture on the closing cost worksheet, and what your property taxes will really be with the buyer tax estimator.
Quick answers
What down payment assistance programs does Florida offer?
Florida Housing Finance Corporation runs the statewide stack: Florida Assist (FL Assist), the FL HLP Second Mortgage, HFA Preferred/HFA Advantage PLUS, and Hometown Heroes for eligible Florida-based workers. Many counties and cities also run their own local assistance through the SHIP program, layered on top of the statewide options. Amounts and structures vary by program, and availability was last checked against the program administrator (eHousingPlus) on August 12, 2026.
Do I have to pay back Florida down payment assistance?
It depends on the program. FL Assist is a deferred second with no monthly payment, but it is not forgivable — it's repaid in full when you sell, refinance, satisfy the first mortgage, or move out, and Hometown Heroes works the same way for eligible Florida-based workers. FL HLP is different: it's an amortizing second over 30 years, so it carries a real monthly payment that counts toward your debt-to-income qualification. HFA Preferred/HFA Advantage PLUS is the one truly forgivable option, forgiving 20 percent of the loan per year over five years.
How much down payment assistance does Hometown Heroes provide in Florida?
Hometown Heroes provides up to 5 percent of the first mortgage as a deferred second, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. It's limited to eligible Florida-based workers, including health care, school staff, first responders, public safety and court employees, child care workers, active military and National Guard, and veterans employed full-time by a Florida employer. As of August 2026, FY 2026-27 funding is open with over $35 million available per eHousingPlus, the program administrator, though the first-come cycle draws down and prior rounds have run out within months.
Who counts as a first-time home buyer for Florida Housing assistance?
Florida Housing uses the IRS three-year test: you qualify as a first-time buyer if you have not owned and occupied your primary residence at any point in the three years before purchase. Veteran exemptions to this rule exist and should be confirmed with your lender. Income and purchase-price limits also apply and vary by county and household size, and you apply through a participating lender rather than directly to Florida Housing.
Data verified as of August 2026.