# Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs 2026: Complete Guide for First-Time Buyers > Florida has multiple programs that can provide $10,000–$35,000 toward your down payment and closing costs. Here's what's available in 2026 and how to access it. - URL: https://maxliferealty.com/blog/florida-down-payment-assistance-programs-2026 - Author: Ryan Solberg, Florida real estate broker (BK3354351), MaxLife Realty - Published: 2026-05-14 - Last updated: 2026-09-28 - Category: Buyer Resources ## Key Takeaways - FL Assist offers up to $10,000 as a deferred, 0% interest second mortgage — no monthly payments - FL HLP Second Mortgage offers up to $10,000 at 3% for 15 years (~$69/month) - Orange County and Osceola County have local SHIP programs with up to $20K–$35K available - Income limits apply — generally 80%–140% of area median income depending on the program - You must use a participating FL Housing lender — not all lenders offer these programs - HUD-approved housing counseling is required for most programs One of the biggest barriers to homeownership in Florida isn't income — it's the cash required upfront. With Orlando median prices around $390K, a 3.5% FHA down payment plus closing costs can easily total $25,000–$35,000. For many buyers, that cash simply isn't sitting in savings. Florida has multiple programs designed specifically for this gap. Here's what's available in 2026. --- ## Overview: Florida's Main DPA Programs ![A desk flat-lay with a laptop, calculator, model house and mortgage paperwork in warm light](https://maxliferealty.com/images/blog/inline/mortgage-financing-2.jpg) | Program | Assistance Amount | Structure | Monthly Payment | |---|---|---|---| | FL Assist | Up to $10,000 | Deferred 2nd mortgage, 0% interest | $0 (due on sale/refi) | | FL HLP 2nd Mortgage | Up to $10,000 | 3% interest, 15-year term | ~$69/month | | HFA Preferred Grant | Up to 3% or 4% of loan amount | Forgivable grant | $0 | | Orange County SHIP | Up to $35,000 | Forgivable after 10–15 years | $0 | | Osceola County SHIP | Up to $20,000 | Deferred or forgivable | $0 | --- ## Program 1: FL Assist **What it is:** A deferred second mortgage for up to $10,000 at 0% interest. **How it works:** The $10,000 is added as a second lien on your home. You make no monthly payments on it. The balance becomes due when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage. There's no forgiveness period — you pay it back at the end of your homeownership. **Who it's for:** First-time buyers who need help with down payment or closing costs but plan to stay in the home long-term. Because there's no interest accruing and no monthly payment, it's the lowest-friction assistance available. **Income limits:** Vary by county and household size. In Orange County, limits generally cap around $88,000–$95,000 for a household of two. **How to access:** Through a participating FL Housing lender. Find one at floridahousing.org. --- ## Program 2: FL HLP Second Mortgage **What it is:** Up to $10,000 at 3% interest, amortized over 15 years. **How it works:** You receive a $10,000 second mortgage at 3% interest. The monthly payment is approximately $69. It doesn't disappear at sale — you carry the balance until paid off. Because it has a monthly payment, it affects your debt-to-income ratio and may impact how much house you can qualify for. **Who it's for:** Buyers who want to spread the repayment out rather than have a lump-sum obligation at sale. The 3% rate is well below current second-mortgage market rates. **Note:** This program is often paired with the FL Assist — some buyers use both to maximize total assistance. --- ## Program 3: HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage **What it is:** A grant of 3% or 4% of the first mortgage loan amount, applied to down payment and closing costs. **How it works:** Unlike the above programs, this is structured as a grant — it does not need to be repaid at all, provided you remain in the home (and keep the first mortgage) for a minimum period (typically three to five years). After that period, the grant is forgiven entirely. **Example:** On a $350,000 loan, a 4% HFA Preferred Grant provides $14,000 — enough to cover most or all of a 3.5% FHA down payment plus a portion of closing costs. **Income limits:** Stricter than FL Assist — typically capped at 80% AMI, which in Orange County is approximately $57,000 for a two-person household. --- ## Program 3.5: Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program Specifically for active-duty service members, veterans, and surviving spouses: below-market first-mortgage rates plus down-payment assistance, usable with VA, FHA, USDA, and conventional loans. If you have military service in the household, ask your FHFC-approved lender to price this program first — it frequently beats the civilian programs. --- ## Hometown Heroes: 2026 Funding Round Florida Housing reopened Hometown Heroes on July 13, 2026 with $50 million in new funding, reserved first come, first served through participating lenders. It provides 5% of the first mortgage ($10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum) as a 0% deferred second mortgage for eligible Florida workers — health care, school, first-responder, public-safety, and child-care employees, active military, and veterans working for Florida-based employers. It is not forgivable: the balance is repaid when you sell, refinance, or stop living in the home. --- ## Program 4: County-Level SHIP Programs SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) funds are distributed to Florida counties, which then design their own programs — funded by doc-stamp revenue and **separate from the state programs, which means you can stack a SHIP grant on top of Hometown Heroes**. Application windows typically open once or twice a year and close when funds run out, so apply early. The amounts and terms vary significantly. ### Orange County SHIP - **Amount:** Up to $35,000 for qualifying buyers - **Structure:** Forgivable after 10 years of owner-occupancy - **Income limits:** 80% of AMI or below (approximately $57K for a two-person household) - **Purchase price limit:** Typically $350K–$420K (updated annually) - **Key requirement:** Home must be in Orange County; buyer must owner-occupy ### Osceola County SHIP - **Amount:** Up to $20,000 - **Structure:** Deferred or forgivable options available - **Income limits:** 80% AMI - **Contact:** Osceola County Community Services ### Orange County Neighborhood Down Payment Assistance (NDPA) A separate program from Orange County targeting specific zip codes. Provides up to $30,000 in forgivable assistance for buyers purchasing in designated areas. Check with a local HUD-approved counselor for current availability — funding for this program cycles in and out. ### Where to apply, county by county Amounts and windows change with each funding cycle — go straight to the source: - [Orange County Housing — Down Payment Assistance](https://www.orangecountyfl.net/) - [Seminole County SHIP Program](https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/community-services/community-assistance/) - [Lake County Housing Services](https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/departments/housing_and_human_services/index.php) - [Osceola County Human Services](https://www.osceola.org/agencies-departments/human-services/) - [Brevard County Housing & Human Services](https://www.brevardfl.gov/HumanServices/HousingHumanServices) - [Volusia County Community Services](https://www.volusia.org/services/community-services/) --- ## The Stacking Strategy Here's where it gets powerful. As an *illustration* (verify current caps with your county and an FHFC-approved lender — every figure below cycles with funding): an Orange County teacher buying a $400,000 first home could combine a Hometown Heroes deferred second, a county SHIP award, and seller concessions (up to 6% on FHA) into **tens of thousands of dollars in stacked assistance** — enough that the FHA 3.5% down payment and most closing costs are covered, and the buyer closes with very little out of pocket. This isn't a loophole — it's exactly how the programs are designed to work together. The catch: it requires a loan officer who actually knows how to layer the programs (not all lenders can), and an agent who knows which sellers will accept concessions in the current market. --- ## Federal Programs That Stack With State Assistance ![A real estate agent showing a bright, open Central Florida home to smiling buyers](https://maxliferealty.com/images/blog/inline/buying-home-tour-1.jpg) ### FHA Loans The FHA's 3.5% down payment requirement (for buyers with credit scores 580+) is the most common pairing with FL Housing programs. FHA allows gift funds and second mortgage assistance to cover the entire down payment — which means a buyer could theoretically close with very little out of pocket. ### USDA Rural Development Loans For homes in eligible rural areas (parts of Osceola County, Lake County, and Polk County qualify), USDA loans require **0% down payment**. Pair with closing cost assistance and a buyer can get into a home for minimal cash. ### VA Loans Veterans can access $0 down VA loans — no down payment needed at all. Closing cost assistance programs can be stacked on top of VA loans to further reduce upfront cash requirements. --- ## How to Apply: Step by Step **Step 1: Get HUD counseling.** Most FL Housing programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. This can be done online in a few hours. Approved providers include eHome America and Framework. **Step 2: Check your income and purchase price limits.** Use FL Housing's income limits calculator at floridahousing.org to verify you're under the threshold for your county and household size. **Step 3: Get pre-approved with a participating lender.** Not all lenders offer FL Housing programs. Find a participating lender at floridahousing.org/buyers — these lenders are trained on layering DPA programs with your primary mortgage. **Step 4: Apply for county SHIP if applicable.** If you're in Orange or Osceola County and meet the lower income limits (80% AMI), apply to SHIP separately from FL Housing. These programs operate independently. **Step 5: Work with a buyer's agent who knows DPA.** Sellers in Florida are generally willing to work with buyers using assistance programs, but the contract and closing process has added steps. An experienced agent makes the process smoother. --- ## Realistic Example: First-Time Buyer in Orlando **Buyer profile:** Single professional, $62,000/year gross income, 680 credit score, buying a $340,000 home. | Item | Amount | |---|---| | Purchase price | $340,000 | | FHA down payment (3.5%) | $11,900 | | Estimated closing costs | $6,500 | | **Total cash needed** | **$18,400** | | FL Assist DPA | -$10,000 | | HFA Preferred Grant (3%) | -$9,750 | | **Out-of-pocket after assistance** | **$0** (and $1,350 credit to closing) | The math works. It's not hypothetical — buyers close on homes in Central Florida this way regularly. The key is finding the right lender and having an agent who understands the process. --- ## Common Pitfalls to Avoid **Using a lender not in the FL Housing network.** Your bank or credit union may offer competitive mortgage rates but not be set up for DPA stacking. Always verify participation before starting the application. **Skipping the counseling requirement.** Even if a lender says you can skip it, complete the HUD course before you need it — funding for SHIP programs can dry up mid-year, and having your ducks in a row early matters. **Assuming the money is always available.** SHIP and NDPA funds are appropriated annually and can run out. Apply early in the calendar year for the best access. --- **Questions about which programs you qualify for?** [Contact Ryan at MaxLife Realty](https://maxliferealty.com/contact) — we regularly work with first-time buyers and can connect you with lenders experienced in FL Housing DPA programs. --- Source: "Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs 2026: Complete Guide for First-Time Buyers" by Ryan Solberg, Florida real estate broker (BK3354351), MaxLife Realty, https://maxliferealty.com/blog/florida-down-payment-assistance-programs-2026 (last updated 2026-09-28). Content may be quoted with attribution to MaxLife Realty.