Florida offers some of the most generous first-time home buyer assistance in the country. Through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing), eligible buyers can access 30-year fixed-rate mortgages paired with down payment and closing cost assistance ranging from $10,000 up to $35,000 — often with no monthly payments and 0% interest. This guide breaks down every active program, who qualifies, how much you can save, and how to apply.
Florida Housing Programs at a Glance
Florida Housing administers three primary down payment assistance programs. Each is paired with a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage and designed to reduce the upfront cash needed to buy a home.
| Program | Max Assistance | Structure | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hometown Heroes | Up to 5% of loan amount (max $35,000) | 0% interest, deferred second mortgage | Florida frontline & community workers, veterans, military |
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) | Up to $10,000 | 0% interest, non-amortizing, deferred | Any eligible first-time buyer needing upfront cash help |
| Florida HLP | Up to $10,000 | 3% interest, amortized over 15 years (monthly payments) | Buyers who can afford a small monthly payment |
1. Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Hometown Heroes is Florida's flagship assistance program for essential and community workers. It provides up to 5% of the total loan amount (capped at $35,000) in zero-interest down payment and closing cost assistance as a deferred second mortgage — meaning no monthly payments and no interest until you sell, refinance, or transfer the home.
Eligible occupations include teachers, nurses, healthcare workers, first responders, law enforcement, military veterans and active-duty service members, and employees of Florida-based companies. You must meet income limits for your county, have a credit score of at least 640, and complete a homebuyer education course. The assistance is forgivable over a set period if you remain in the home as your primary residence.
2. Florida Assist (FL Assist)
FL Assist provides up to $10,000 as a 0% interest, non-amortizing second mortgage with no monthly payments. Repayment is deferred until you sell the home, refinance the first mortgage, pay it off, or transfer the property. It is available to any eligible first-time buyer who qualifies for a Florida Housing first mortgage and needs help covering the down payment and closing costs.
Because FL Assist is fully deferred, it is ideal for buyers who want to minimize their monthly housing payment — the assistance does not add anything to your monthly mortgage bill.
3. Florida HLP (Homeownership Loan Program)
Florida HLP provides up to $10,000 as a 3% interest second mortgage amortized over 15 years. Unlike FL Assist, HLP requires a small monthly payment — but it may allow buyers to qualify for more assistance in some scenarios. It is paired with a Florida Housing 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage and follows the same income and credit requirements.
Income Limits by County
Income limits vary by county and household size and are updated annually by Florida Housing. Buyers in federally designated targeted areas (typically census tracts with lower homeownership rates) may qualify with higher income limits and without the three-year first-time buyer rule.
| Household Size | Typical Limit (Most Counties) | Targeted Area Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 persons | $90,000 – $120,000 | Higher (varies by county) |
| 3+ persons | $104,000 – $140,000 | Higher (varies by county) |
These ranges are approximate. Always confirm the current limits for your specific county on the Florida Housing website before applying, as limits change annually and vary significantly between high-cost and rural counties.
How Much Can You Save? A $400,000 Example
Here is a real-world example showing how Florida assistance reduces your out-of-pocket cash on a $400,000 purchase with a 5% down payment ($20,000) and approximately $12,000 in closing costs.
| Cost Item | Without Assistance | With FL Assist ($10K) | With Hometown Heroes (up to $35K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment (5%) | $20,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Closing costs (est.) | $12,000 | $12,000 | $0 |
| Total out-of-pocket | $32,000 | $22,000 | $0 – $7,000 |
| Your savings | — | $10,000 | $25,000 – $32,000 |
With Hometown Heroes, a qualifying essential worker could potentially buy a $400,000 home with little to no money out of pocket. Even with FL Assist alone, you save $10,000 in upfront cash. The assistance is a second mortgage, so it is repaid when you sell or refinance — but it does not add to your monthly payment in the meantime (except for Florida HLP, which has a small monthly payment).
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- 1. Check your eligibility: Confirm you meet the first-time buyer definition (no primary residence ownership in the past 3 years), your household income is under your county's limit, and your credit score is at least 640.
- 2. Get pre-approved: Work with a participating Florida Housing lender to get pre-approved for the first mortgage. Not all lenders offer Florida Housing programs — you must use an approved participating lender. See our guide to getting pre-approved in Florida.
- 3. Complete homebuyer education: Take an approved homebuyer education course (online or in person) through a HUD-approved counseling agency and receive your completion certificate.
- 4. Choose your assistance program: With your lender, select FL Assist, Florida HLP, or Hometown Heroes based on your eligibility and how much assistance you need.
- 5. Find a home and make an offer: Shop for a home within the program's purchase price limits. The property must be your primary residence.
- 6. Close: At closing, the first mortgage and the assistance second mortgage are both recorded. Your out-of-pocket cash is reduced by the assistance amount.
Eligibility Requirements Summary
- First-time buyer (no primary residence in the past 3 years) — veterans and targeted-area buyers may be exempt
- Minimum credit score of 640 (varies slightly by loan type)
- Household income under your county's published limit
- Completion of an approved homebuyer education course
- Property must be used as your primary residence
- Purchase price within the program's limits for your county
- Must use a Florida Housing participating lender
Pairing Assistance With the Right Loan
Florida Housing first mortgages come in several loan types — conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA. The down payment assistance layers on top of whichever first mortgage you qualify for. FHA is the most popular choice for first-time buyers because of its 3.5% minimum down payment and flexible credit standards. Learn more about FHA, VA, and USDA loans and how they compare.
If you are worried about your credit score, read our guide on what credit score you need to buy in Florida. For a full breakdown of down payment requirements by loan type, see how much down payment you need in Florida.
Florida vs New Jersey First-Time Buyer Programs
If you are relocating from New Jersey or comparing both states, it helps to understand the differences. Florida's programs are administered centrally through Florida Housing and offer up to $35,000 in assistance (Hometown Heroes). New Jersey's programs are administered through the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) and include their own down payment assistance and first-time buyer mortgage programs. See our guide to NJ First-Time Buyer Programs for a full comparison, or browse our First-Time Home Buyer hub.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a non-participating lender: Only Florida Housing approved lenders can offer these programs. Confirm your lender is approved before starting the application.
- Missing the homebuyer education requirement: The course is mandatory and must be completed before closing. Start it early — it can take several hours.
- Exceeding income limits: Income limits include all adult household members in most cases. Calculate your total household income carefully before applying.
- Not checking targeted areas: Buying in a targeted area can unlock higher income limits and waive the first-time buyer requirement.
- Forgetting the assistance is a loan: FL Assist and Hometown Heroes are deferred second mortgages — they must be repaid when you sell or refinance. Budget for this when planning your future move.
Christian Tibok
Licensed REALTOR serving NJ and FL. Christian helps first-time buyers connect with Florida Housing participating lenders and maximize their down payment assistance. Learn more about Christian.