Florida First-Time Homebuyer Programs 2026: Down Payment Help and Grants

Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) administers the state's primary first-time buyer programs. The flagship is FL Assist, which provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance as a 0% interest deferred second mortgage — meaning no monthly payment, repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. Income limits and purchase price caps apply by county.

If you've been sitting on the sidelines because you don't have 20% saved, these programs exist specifically for you. Here's what's available in 2026 and how to actually access it.

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What Is FL Assist — and How Does the $10,000 Work?

FL Assist is a second mortgage loan — not a grant. The $10,000 comes to you at closing and is applied to your down payment or closing costs. You don't make monthly payments on it. You don't pay interest. But when you sell the home or refinance your first mortgage, you repay the $10,000 back to the state.

This matters because it's not "free money." It's money that reduces your net equity position. If you sell after 3 years and the home appreciated $40,000, you repay the $10,000 from proceeds and keep the rest. For most buyers, it's a strong deal — you get into a home years earlier than you could have otherwise.

Key FL Assist terms for 2026:

• Assistance amount: Up to $10,000
• Interest rate: 0%
• Monthly payment: None
• Repayment trigger: Sale, refinance, or payoff of first mortgage
• Income limit: Approximately $100,000–$130,000 depending on county and household size
• Purchase price cap: Approximately $500,000 in Orange County (varies by county)

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HFA Preferred Loan: The First Mortgage That Pairs With FL Assist

FL Assist doesn't stand alone — it pairs with an FHFC first mortgage product, typically the HFA Preferred loan. This is a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage offered at a below-market rate through FHFC's lender network. It requires as little as 3% down, which can come from the FL Assist funds.

Combined, HFA Preferred + FL Assist can get a qualified buyer into a home with minimal out-of-pocket cash at closing. The below-market rate also reduces the monthly payment compared to what you'd get through a standard lender.

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FL HERO: Reduced Rates for First Responders, Teachers, and Military

The Florida Hometown Heroes program (often called FL HERO) targets essential workers: law enforcement, firefighters, educators, healthcare workers, and active-duty military / veterans. Benefits include:

• Below-market first mortgage rates (typically 0.25–0.5% below standard FHFC rates)
• Down payment and closing cost assistance up to 5% of the loan amount, capped at $35,000
• Same 0% deferred second mortgage structure as FL Assist

This program has income limits tied to the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county. In Orange County, the income cap for Hometown Heroes is higher than FL Assist — check current figures at floridahousing.org before assuming you don't qualify.

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Orange County and City of Orlando: Layered Local Assistance

State programs aren't the only option. Orange County and the City of Orlando administer separate assistance programs that can be layered on top of state help — or used instead of it for buyers who don't qualify for FHFC programs.

Orange County Housing and Community Development:

• Assistance range: $7,500–$25,000 depending on household income
• Targets very low and low-income buyers (typically 50–80% AMI)
• Separate application process from FHFC; administered through the county directly
• Must purchase within unincorporated Orange County (not city limits)

City of Orlando Down Payment Assistance:

• Up to $30,000 for qualified buyers purchasing within Orlando city limits
• Income-restricted; targets buyers at or below 80% AMI
• Administered through the City of Orlando's Housing and Community Development division
• Properties must be within city boundaries — this excludes much of the metro

2026 Orange County Income Limits (approximate, FHFC programs):

Household Size	Income Limit
1 person	~$67,000
2 persons	~$76,000
3 persons	~$86,000
4 persons	~$95,000

These figures adjust annually. Verify current limits at floridahousing.org or with an approved lender before assuming eligibility.

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The Homebuyer Education Requirement: Don't Skip This

Every borrower using an FHFC program must complete an 8-hour homebuyer education course before closing. This is not optional. Common providers include eHomeamerica and Framework, and the course typically costs $35–$50.

The course covers budgeting, mortgage basics, the purchase process, and homeownership responsibilities. Most buyers complete it online in a single day. You'll receive a certificate that your lender submits with your loan file.

Don't start the loan process without completing this first — it's a gating requirement and lenders can't proceed without the certificate.

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Who Counts as a "First-Time Homebuyer"?

The FHFC definition is more flexible than most people assume. A "first-time homebuyer" is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. This means:

• You may have owned a home before — if it's been more than 3 years since you owned a primary residence, you qualify
• Buying an investment property during that 3-year window doesn't necessarily disqualify you (primary residence is the key)
• Divorced individuals who lost ownership in a settlement may qualify even if the divorce was recent

If you owned a home and sold it 4 years ago, you are eligible. Ask your lender to review your specific situation — the answer is often yes.

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How to Access These Programs: The Approved Lender Requirement

This is the step most buyers miss: not every lender can process FHFC loans. You must work with an FHFC-approved lender from the official list at floridahousing.org. A large national bank that doesn't participate in the program cannot originate FL Assist regardless of how good your relationship is with them.

When interviewing lenders, ask directly: "Are you an approved Florida Housing Finance Corporation lender?" If the answer is anything other than yes, move on.

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The Honest Catch: What DPA Does to Your Equity

Down payment assistance loans reduce your net equity on day one. If you buy a $400,000 home with $10,000 in FL Assist:

• You own the home, but $10,000 of your equity "belongs" to the state until repaid
• If you refinance in 2 years to capture a lower rate, you must repay the $10,000 at that closing
• If the home depreciates and you sell at a loss, you still owe the $10,000

These programs are best for buyers who plan to stay in the home at least 5 years. If you're likely to relocate in 2–3 years, run the numbers carefully before using a deferred second mortgage.

Use the MaxLife Mortgage Calculator to model your monthly payment with and without the DPA impact on your loan amount and down payment.

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Bottom Line

Florida's first-time homebuyer programs are real, accessible, and worth using — if you work with the right lender and understand what you're agreeing to. The $10,000 FL Assist, below-market HFA Preferred rates, and layered county programs can meaningfully reduce the cash needed to close. But they require an approved lender, a completed education course, and a realistic hold timeline.

Ready to talk through whether you qualify? Reach out here — I work with buyers navigating these programs regularly and can point you toward lenders who execute them cleanly.