Florida Down Payment Assistance
Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs
A guide to current down payment assistance options in Florida, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for Florida homebuyers.
Florida Housing Finance Agency
Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing)
Florida Housing administers the primary DPA programs for Florida. Program details below are current as of October 17, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with Florida Housing before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in Florida
Florida Assist (FL Assist)
Florida Housing
Silent second of up to $10,000 at 0% interest with no monthly payments. Not forgivable; balance is due at sale, refinance, payoff, or when the home is no longer the primary residence.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Homebuyer education required
Must be paired with a Florida Housing first mortgage; county-level income and purchase price limits apply. First-time homebuyer means no ownership and occupancy of a primary residence in the last three years.
Source: www.floridahousing.org
Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage
Florida Housing
$12,500 at 3% interest, fully amortizing over 30 years with a monthly payment. Remaining balance is due in full at sale, refinance, payoff, or when the home is no longer the primary residence.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Homebuyer education required
The monthly payment may count toward the debt-to-income ratio.
Source: www.floridahousing.org
HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS Second Mortgage
Florida Housing
3%, 4%, or 5% of the first mortgage amount as a forgivable second mortgage for down payment or closing costs, forgiven 20% per year over five years.
Paired with: Conventional (HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage)
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Homebuyer education required
Available only with the conventional HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage first mortgage.
Source: www.floridahousing.org
Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program
Florida Housing
Discounted 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage for eligible active-duty servicemembers and veterans. May be paired with any Florida Housing down payment assistance program.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Homebuyer education required
Florida Housing still lists this program, but its program page was unavailable as of October 2026; confirm current terms with Florida Housing.
Source: www.floridahousing.org
Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Florida Housing
5% of the first mortgage amount (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) as a 0% interest, non-amortizing 30-year deferred second mortgage. Not forgivable; due at sale, refinance, transfer, or when the home is no longer the primary residence.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Homebuyer education required
For full-time employees of Florida-based employers in eligible occupations (health care, school staff, first responders, public safety, court staff, child care), current servicemembers, and veterans. Florida Housing has published the HTH 2026 program; funds are first-come, first-served, so confirm current availability with Florida Housing.
Source: www.floridahousing.org
Florida Notes for Homebuyers
- Florida is a title-state; closings are typically conducted by title companies or attorneys acting as title agents.
- Documentary stamp tax on the deed and a separate tax on the mortgage apply at closing.
2026 Loan Limits in Florida
Conforming (Conventional)
$832,750 baseline
Some Florida counties qualify as high-cost, with limits up to $1,249,125.
FHA
$541,287
Standard FHA limit. Select high-cost Florida counties allow more, up to $1,249,125.
Live DPA Pricing for Florida
Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a Florida scenario. Edit the inputs to match your situation.
FHA Down Payment Assistance
Up to 5% assistance; repayable second at first rate + 2% over 10 years
▸Program details
- ✓Minimum credit score: 580
- ✓Non-traditional credit also possible
- ✓Assistance up to 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or both
- ✓Second lien: 10-year fixed, repayable
- ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓No income cap
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, PUD, 2-4 units, FHA-approved condos, manufactured (single/double-wide)
- ✓DTI per AUS and FHA manual underwriting guidelines
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
Assistance amount
Compare DPA options for Florida with live pricing
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