Florida down payment assistance, including the programs people miss.

Florida Housing — Florida Assist

Florida Housing Finance Corporation's Homebuyer Program pairs 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages with eligible down payment and closing-cost assistance. Its Florida Assist program currently offers up to $10,000 with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional first mortgages.

Florida Housing's general Homebuyer Program currently lists a 640 minimum credit score, approved homebuyer education, county purchase-price and income limits, use of an approved participating lender, and first-time-homebuyer status under the program's definition.

Florida Housing also makes clear that its DPA is not stand-alone assistance; it must be paired with an eligible Florida Housing first mortgage.

Florida Hometown Heroes

Florida Hometown Heroes helps eligible community workforce and military borrowers with down payment and closing costs. Current Florida Housing information describes assistance equal to 5% of the total first-mortgage amount, with a $10,000 minimum and $35,000 maximum.

Current eligible categories include certain full-time Florida-based health care workers, school staff, first responders, public safety/court employees and child care workers, along with qualifying servicemembers and certain veterans employed full-time by a Florida-based employer.

Local SHIP Down Payment Assistance

This is one of the most important Florida DPA categories. Florida's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) sends housing funds to local governments, and Florida Housing specifically tells buyers that their county or city may offer down payment and closing-cost assistance through its local SHIP program.

That means the correct DPA answer can change dramatically based on county and city. Assistance amounts, income limits, first-time-buyer definitions, property requirements, funding status and repayment terms are set locally.

Miami-Dade Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance

Miami-Dade County currently offers qualifying first-time homebuyers an interest-free loan of up to $35,000 for down payment assistance. The borrower must be a Miami-Dade County resident at application and closing, complete approved homebuyer education/counseling, and generally contribute at least 1% of the purchase price from their own funds.

The assistance can be structured for up to 30 years as a deferred 0% loan with no monthly payment. The unpaid balance can become due upon sale, transfer, refinance or other maturity/default events.

City of Orlando Down Payment Assistance

Orlando has a DPA program for qualified first-time homebuyers purchasing within city limits, with assistance based on household income and need. The program requires approved homebuyer education, an eligible fixed-rate first mortgage through a city-registered lender and a minimum borrower contribution.

This is exactly why Mortgage Navigator keeps inactive programs visible with a funding warning rather than either deleting them or presenting them as currently available.

City of Miami First-Time Homebuyer Assistance

The City of Miami offers 0% deferred assistance to qualifying first-time buyers purchasing an eligible home within the City of Miami. Current published eligibility includes household income at or below 80% AMI, a minimum $500 borrower contribution, homebuyer counseling, and an eligible first mortgage.

The City's currently published maximum sales price is $494,000 for both existing and new-construction homes, effective December 1, 2025.

National Homebuyers Fund (NHF)

National Homebuyers Fund provides multi-state down payment and closing-cost assistance through participating mortgage lenders. NHF should be checked alongside Florida Housing and local SHIP programs rather than assuming the state program is the only option.

Chenoa Fund

CBC Mortgage Agency's Chenoa Fund offers FHA DPA structures of 3.5% or 5% through approved lender partners and does not universally require first-time-buyer status. Florida is within Chenoa's stated geographic footprint.