Increase your buying power in Florida
153 homebuyer assistance programs in Florida put grants, forgivable loans and special mortgages toward your down payment and closing costs, so your budget goes further. Add creative financing like seller credits and rate buydowns, and it stretches even more.
What 153 programs tell us about buying in Florida
Florida’s help is overwhelmingly local
141 of 153 active programs serve a single city, county or region. 61 of them are named for SHIP, the state’s housing trust fund that every county administers on its own.
The awards are large
The median capped award is $48,750, among the highest of any state, and 41 programs offer $75,000 or more.
Funding moves fast
14 Florida programs we track are currently closed, out of funds or waitlisted. Check status before you plan around one; Wallet Wizard does it for you.
How the help arrives · 153 programs
Award sizes · grants and loans with a dollar cap
4 more pay a percentage of the price or loan, which scales with the home you buy. Your award depends on income, price and location.
Who runs them
12 programs are available statewide. 141 are limited to a city, county or region, so the address you buy at changes what you can get.
More programs, more buying power. Most buyers qualify for more than one. The Wallet Wizard checks income limits, price caps and location rules across all 153 Florida programs and 47 multi-state programs at once, and shows where creative financing like seller credits can stack on top.
Check my eligibilityPrograms to know in Florida
A few of the 153 programs we track, chosen for reach, award size and terms. Amounts are program maximums; what you receive depends on income, price and location.
Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Florida Housing Finance CorporationUp to 5% of the first mortgage ($10,000 minimum) for Florida’s essential workers buying their first home.
Florida Assist (FL Assist)
Florida Housing Finance CorporationUp to $10,000 at 0% toward down payment and closing costs with a Florida Housing first mortgage.
HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS Second Mortgage
Florida Housing Finance Corporation3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage for down payment and closing costs, within county income limits.
City of Miami First-Time Homebuyer Program
City of MiamiSized to bedrooms and financing need, for first-time buyers at or below 80% of Miami-Dade median income.
Hillsborough County SHIP Purchase Assistance
Hillsborough CountyDown payment and purchase help for first-time buyers up to 120% of area median income.
Duval County / Jacksonville SHIP Purchase Assistance
City of JacksonvillePurchase assistance for households up to 120% of area median income.
47 multi-state programs also serve Florida
Offered by banks, credit unions and Federal Home Loan Banks in several states at once. Most are tied to that lender's own mortgage, so the lender you choose decides whether you can use them. The Wallet Wizard shows which ones you can pair.
These are 4 of the 47 multi-state programs open to Florida buyers. See which ones you qualify for
See how much more home you can afford in Florida
- 1Answer a few questions in the Wallet WizardWhere you want to buy, household size, income range, job and military status.
- 2Get matched against every program we trackIncome limits, price caps, location rules and repayment terms, checked for you.
- 3Work with a pro who knows creative financingAgents and loan officers on Homebuyer Wallet see the same matches you do, and can layer in seller credits, lender credits and rate buydowns.
Every Florida program, matched to your buyer in seconds
Homebuyer Wallet gives professionals the full program record: income tables, price caps, approved lenders, provider contacts and application steps. Close the deals that stall on cash to close.
Florida homebuyer assistance FAQ
How much down payment assistance can I get in Florida?
It depends on where you buy and your household income. Among the 134 Florida programs we track that publish a dollar cap, the median award is $48,750. Others pay a percentage of the price or loan. The Wallet Wizard shows the amounts you could get for the home you want.
How do these programs increase my buying power?
Assistance covers part of your down payment or closing costs, or lowers your rate, so less of your own cash goes in upfront. The same savings and income can then support a higher purchase price or a lower monthly payment. Many buyers stack a statewide program with a local one to stretch further.
Can I combine these programs with seller credits or other creative financing?
Usually, yes. Seller credits toward closing costs, lender credits and rate buydowns can often be used alongside assistance programs, within your loan’s limits. The Wallet Wizard shows what fits together, and Homebuyer Wallet agents and loan officers can help you structure it.
Do I have to pay the assistance back?
79 of the 153 active programs (52%) are grants or forgivable loans: you repay nothing if you keep the home as your primary residence for the required period. 64 more are deferred or repayable second loans, due when you sell, refinance or move out, or paid monthly.
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?
Not always. 75 of the 153 Florida programs we track explicitly require first-time status, and most of those count anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years. The Wallet Wizard checks each program’s ownership rule for you.
Are there programs for teachers, first responders or other workers?
Yes. 6 programs we track in Florida are tied to a specific employer or profession, such as public employees, educators, first responders, healthcare workers or service members. Job-based programs often stack with income-based ones.
Can I combine more than one program?
Sometimes. Florida has 12 programs available statewide and 141 limited to a city, county or region. Many local programs are built to layer on top of a statewide loan; others prohibit stacking. Your lender confirms what combines with your first mortgage.
How do I find out which programs I qualify for?
Answer a few questions in the Wallet Wizard: where you want to buy, household size, income range and job. It checks income limits, price caps, location rules and funding status across every program we track in Florida, plus multi-state and national programs, and shows the ones that fit.
How current is this information?
Our team reviews every program against the provider’s own materials on a rolling basis. 14 programs we track are currently paused, out of funds or waitlisted and not counted on this page. Funding opens and closes often; the Wallet Wizard shows each program’s current status.
Explore another state
All Top ProgramsSource: the Homebuyer Wallet database of 2,000+ Community Home Investment Programs (CHIPs). Each program is reviewed by our team against the provider’s own website and documents. Award amounts are program maximums.