Florida Housing First-Time Homebuyer Programs: A Plain-English Guide
Quick answer: Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the state’s housing finance agency, offers 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages to first-time buyers through approved lenders, paired with down payment and closing cost assistance as a second mortgage. The main options are Florida Assist (up to $10,000, 0% and deferred), the FL HLP Second Mortgage ($12,500 at 3% with a monthly payment), the HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS second mortgage (3%, 4% or 5% of the loan, forgiven over five years), and Hometown Heroes for eligible full-time workers (up to 5% of the loan, $10,000 minimum and $35,000 maximum). You generally need a 640 credit score, a homebuyer education course, and income and price under your county’s limits.
Program details below are summarized from floridahousing.org as of October 2026. Florida Housing changes amounts, limits and funding during the year, so confirm current terms before you rely on them.
Who qualifies for Florida Housing programs
- Credit score: minimum 640.
- First-time buyer: you meet the IRS definition — you have not owned and lived in a primary residence in the past three years.
- Income and purchase price: both must be under the limits for the county where you buy.
- Homebuyer education: an approved course must be completed.
- Approved lender: the loan must be made through a lender on Florida Housing’s participating-lender list.
- Assistance is paired: Florida Housing’s down payment assistance is only available with its own first mortgage, not as stand-alone help on another loan.
Florida Housing down payment assistance compared
| Program | Amount | Terms | Repayment | Works with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) | Up to $10,000 | 0% interest, no monthly payment | Not forgiven. Due in full when you sell, refinance, pay off the first mortgage, transfer the deed or stop living in the home. | FHA, VA, USDA and conventional |
| FL HLP Second Mortgage | $12,500 | 3% interest, 30-year term, monthly payment | Paid monthly; any remaining balance is due on sale, refinance, transfer or move-out. The payment counts in your debt-to-income ratio. | Florida Housing first mortgages |
| HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUS | 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan amount | Forgivable second mortgage, 5-year term | Forgiven 20% per year; fully forgiven after five years. | Conventional HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage first mortgages only |
| Hometown Heroes | Up to 5% of the first mortgage — minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000 | 0% interest, 30-year deferred, no monthly payment | Not forgiven. Due in full on sale, refinance, transfer or move-out. | FHA, VA, USDA (RD) and conventional |
Florida Hometown Heroes: who is eligible
For 2026, Hometown Heroes is limited to first-time, income-qualified buyers who are:
- employed full-time by a Florida-based employer as a health care worker, school staff member, first responder, public safety or court employee, or child care worker;
- a servicemember of the U.S. military or reserves, the U.S. Coast Guard or its reserves, or the Florida National Guard; or
- a veteran employed full-time by a Florida-based employer.
Eligible borrowers also get reduced upfront fees and no origination or discount points on the first mortgage. Florida Housing publishes the current occupation list and county income limits.
Watch for scams: Florida Housing does not charge a fee to apply for Hometown Heroes assistance. Anyone asking for an upfront fee to “get you into” the program is a red flag.
Is a Florida Housing loan the best choice for you?
Down payment assistance can be the difference between buying now and renting another year. It is not automatically the cheapest loan, though. Before you commit, compare:
- The first mortgage rate. Assistance programs are tied to the agency’s first mortgage, and its rate can differ from what you would get on a standard FHA or conventional loan.
- When the second mortgage comes due. Florida Assist and Hometown Heroes are deferred, not forgiven. If you expect to sell or refinance in a few years, plan for repaying that balance.
- The monthly payment on FL HLP. Because it amortizes, it adds to your payment and can reduce how much house you qualify for.
- Five-year forgiveness on HFA PLUS. It is the only option that is fully forgiven, but only on conventional HFA first mortgages.
- Zero-down alternatives. If you are a veteran, a VA loan may need no down payment at all. See our VA loan guide.
- Local county programs. Many Florida counties and cities run separate SHIP-funded assistance with their own rules and waiting lists.
How Fairview Lending can help
Fairview Lending Inc (NMLS #230610) is licensed throughout Florida and has helped first-time buyers since 2006. We will run your numbers both ways — a Florida Housing loan with assistance against FHA, VA, USDA or conventional financing without it — and show you the monthly payment, cash to close, and what you would owe on the second mortgage if you sold in five or ten years. If you already have a quote from a participating lender, upload it for a free second opinion.
Call (239) 829-1543 or start your application. Learn more about how we work across the state on our Florida mortgage lender page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Florida Housing Finance Corporation?
It is Florida’s state housing finance agency. Its Homebuyer Loan Program offers 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages and down payment assistance to first-time buyers through approved lenders across the state.
How much down payment assistance can I get in Florida?
Through Florida Housing: up to $10,000 with Florida Assist, $12,500 with the FL HLP Second Mortgage, 3–5% of the loan with HFA PLUS, or up to 5% of the loan (maximum $35,000) with Hometown Heroes if you qualify by occupation.
Do I have to pay back Florida down payment assistance?
It depends on the program. Florida Assist and Hometown Heroes are 0% deferred loans repaid when you sell, refinance or move out. FL HLP is repaid monthly. The HFA PLUS second mortgage is forgiven 20% a year and is fully forgiven after five years.
What credit score do I need for Florida Housing programs?
A minimum of 640.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?
Yes. Under the IRS definition Florida Housing uses, you cannot have owned and occupied a primary residence in the three years before you buy.
Can I use Florida Housing assistance with an FHA or VA loan?
Yes. Florida Assist and Hometown Heroes work with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional first mortgages. The HFA PLUS forgivable second only works with Florida Housing’s conventional HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage first mortgages.
Who qualifies for Florida Hometown Heroes?
First-time, income-qualified buyers who work full-time for a Florida-based employer in health care, schools, first response, public safety, courts or child care; active servicemembers, reservists and Florida National Guard members; and veterans employed full-time by a Florida-based employer.
Can I get Florida Housing assistance on any lender’s loan?
No. The assistance only comes with Florida Housing’s own first mortgage, made through an approved participating lender.
Fairview Lending Inc · NMLS #230610 · 1425 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33990 · (239) 829-1543 · Equal Housing Opportunity. Fairview Lending is not affiliated with Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Program terms are set by Florida Housing and are subject to change and availability of funds.