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)

www.floridahousing.org

Florida Housing administers the primary DPA programs for Florida. Program details below are current as of April 23, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with Florida Housing before applying.

Statewide DPA Programs in Florida

Florida Assist (FL Assist)

Florida Housing

Deferred loan

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

  • 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.

Source: www.floridahousing.org

Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage

Florida Housing

Repayable second

Up to $10,000 at 3% interest, amortized over 15 years. 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

  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 640
  • Homebuyer education required

Source: www.floridahousing.org

HFA Preferred Grant (Conventional)

Florida Housing

Forgivable second

3% to 5% of the first mortgage amount as a forgivable grant for down payment or closing costs, forgiven 20% per year over five years.

Paired with: Conventional (HFA Preferred)

  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 640
  • Homebuyer education required

Pairs with the HFA Preferred conventional first mortgage.

Source: www.floridahousing.org

Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program

Florida Housing

Other

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

Source: www.floridahousing.org

Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program

Florida Housing

Deferred loan

Up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% interest, non-amortizing second mortgage for eligible frontline workers.

Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA

  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 640
  • Homebuyer education required

The 2025-26 funding cycle of $50 million was fully committed in February 2026. Additional funding for fiscal year 2026-27 is subject to legislative appropriation; 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)

$806,500 baseline

Some Florida counties qualify as high-cost, with limits up to $1,209,750.

FHA

$524,225 floor

Higher-cost Florida counties can reach the FHA ceiling of $1,209,750.

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

Min FICO 580
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

1st lien: $386,000 at 96.5% LTV (FHA)
2nd lien: $14,000 (10-yr fixed, 1st rate + 2%)
Assistance is due upon transfer, sale, or refinance. Pricing estimate only — final rates, fees, and eligibility are determined by the lender.
Program details on this page are compiled from official Florida Housing Finance Agency and local government sources and were last verified on April 23, 2026. Program availability, funding, eligibility thresholds, and assistance amounts change frequently. Always confirm current terms directly with the administering agency before applying. This page is informational only and is not an offer to lend.

Compare DPA options for Florida with live pricing

Rate Direct pairs down payment assistance with live first-lien pricing so you see the combined monthly payment up front.

DPA Programs in Other States