Down payment assistance in Florida: how it really works
There are DPA programs all over Florida: statewide programs through Florida Housing, plus county and city programs. Most are a second mortgage you repay later, not free money, and each one has income, price and first-time buyer rules.
The smart move is to check every program you could qualify for before you pick a home, then pair the help with the right first mortgage.
Where the help comes from
- Statewide programs. Florida Housing Finance Corporation runs homebuyer programs that pair a first mortgage with down payment and closing cost assistance through approved lenders.1
- Hometown Heroes. A Florida Housing program for eligible full-time workers of Florida employers, such as health care workers, school staff, first responders, public safety and court employees, and child care workers.2 It runs in funding rounds, and the 2025–2026 funds were fully committed in February 2026, so timing matters.
- County and city programs. Many local governments offer their own help, often funded by Florida's SHIP program, which sends state housing money to local governments and can be used for down payment and closing costs.3
The rules that trip people up
- First-time buyer, by definition. For Florida Housing, it generally means you haven't owned and lived in your primary residence in the last three years.1 FHA uses a similar three-year test.4
- Income and price limits. Your income and the purchase price must be under the limits for the county where you buy.1
- Homebuyer education. Florida Housing requires an approved homebuyer education course.1 I teach the mortgage session at Tampa Bay NHS classes.
- An approved lender. You have to use a participating lender for the program.1
- It's your home. The home must be your primary residence. Moving out, selling or refinancing usually makes the second mortgage due.
The part nobody tells you
Assistance is usually worth it, but read the fine print. Most programs are a second mortgage that comes due later. The first mortgage that comes with the program has its own terms, which can cost more than a loan without assistance. And funds run out, so you usually need a signed contract before the money can be reserved.
That's why I compare the same house two ways, with and without assistance, so you can see what's really best for you.
How to check what you qualify for
- Get a free DPA check. I look at the programs for where you're buying, statewide and local.
- Take an approved homebuyer class if your program needs one.
- Get pre-approved with the program's lender requirements in mind.
- Shop for a home under the program's price limit, then reserve the funds once you're under contract.
Frequently asked questions
Is down payment assistance free money?
Usually not. Most programs in Florida are a second mortgage that you repay later, often when you sell, refinance or move out. Each program has its own rules, and I explain them before you sign.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
For most programs, yes. Florida Housing generally uses the rule that you haven't owned and lived in your primary residence in the last three years. Some programs have exceptions.
Can I get DPA anywhere in Florida?
There are DPA programs all over Florida, statewide and local. Which ones you qualify for depends on where you buy, your income and the price of the home.
Do the funds run out?
Yes. Many programs run in funding rounds, and Hometown Heroes funds for 2025 to 2026 were fully committed in February 2026. Starting early helps.
See what help you can get.
I check the DPA programs for where you're buying and pair them with the right loan. No credit pull to start.
Serves all of Florida and works with real estate investors nationwide. Born in Puerto Rico; Spanish is his first language. Teaches the mortgage session at Tampa Bay NHS homebuyer classes.
Sources and further reading
- Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Homebuyer programs. www.floridahousing.org
- Florida Housing, Hometown Heroes program. www.floridahousing.org
- Florida Housing, SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership). www.floridahousing.org
- HUD FHA FAQ, How does HUD define a first-time homebuyer?. answers.hud.gov