14 Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs to Explore in 2025

Florida-Specific Homebuyer Assistance Programs

1. Florida Hometown Heroes Program
✅ Up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program helps essential community workers become homeowners by offering up to $35,000 (or 5% of the loan amount) to assist with down payments and closing costs. This assistance comes in the form of a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage—which means you won’t have to make payments on it until you sell, refinance, or pay off your home.

The program works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans and also provides reduced interest rates on first mortgages. This can help you save money both upfront and over time.

Best For:

• Teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, healthcare workers, active-duty military, and veterans

• First-time homebuyers who need financial assistance but don’t qualify for other grants

• Buyers looking for lower mortgage interest rates

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Drawbacks:

• Only available to specific professions

• Income limits apply (based on the county you buy in)

• Requires a minimum credit score of 640

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Learn more at: https://www.floridahousing.org/live-local-act/hometown-heroes-program

2. Florida Assist (FL Assist)
✅ Up to $10,000 in deferred down payment assistance

The Florida Assist program provides up to $10,000 in assistance for down payments and closing costs. This money is offered as a 0% interest, non-amortizing, deferred second mortgage, meaning you won’t make monthly payments on it. Instead, repayment is deferred until you sell, refinance, or pay off your primary mortgage.

This program is flexible and can be combined with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans, making it a great option for first-time buyers needing a financial boost.

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Best For:

• Buyers who need help covering their down payment and closing costs

• Those who want assistance without extra monthly payments

• Homebuyers planning to stay in their home for a long period

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Drawbacks:

• The loan is not forgivable—you must repay it when you move, refinance, or sell the home

• Income and purchase price limits apply, which vary by county

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Learn more at: https://www.floridahousing.org/programs/homebuyer-overview-page

3. SHIP First-Time Homebuyers Program
✅ Up to $25,000 in forgivable assistance for homebuyers in select Florida counties

The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program provides up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance through zero-interest, deferred loans that are forgiven after 10–15 years of homeownership. This means if you stay in your home long enough, you won’t have to repay a penny.
Each Florida county administers its own SHIP program, so the exact assistance amount, income limits, and eligibility criteria vary. Many counties prioritize low- and moderate-income buyers to help create more stable homeownership opportunities.

Best For:

• Buyers in smaller Florida cities or counties that participate in SHIP

• Homebuyers planning to live in their home long-term

• First-time buyers needing significant financial assistance

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Cons:

• Income and purchase price limits apply, and they vary by county

• The program isn’t available statewide—only in certain Florida counties

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Learn more at: https://www.floridahousing.org/programs/special-programs/ship---state-housing-initiatives-partnership-program

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4. Miami-Dade Advocacy Trust Grant
✅ Up to $28,500 in forgivable down payment assistance

The Miami-Dade Advocacy Trust Grant provides up to $28,500 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance. Unlike many programs, it does not require buyers to be first-time homebuyers—which is a huge advantage. The loan is forgiven after 20 years of primary residency, meaning if you live in the home that long, you won’t have to pay it back.

Applicants must contribute 1% to 3% of the home’s purchase price from their own funds. The program is designed to help Miami-Dade residents secure affordable housing, making it an excellent option for buyers in the area.

Best For:

• Miami-Dade County residents

• Buyers who can contribute a small percentage of the home’s cost

• Long-term homeowners who plan to stay in the home for at least 20 years

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Drawbacks:

• Limited to homes within Miami-Dade County

• Not available for higher-income buyers

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Learn more at: https://www.miamidade.gov/housing

5. Hallandale Beach First-Time Homebuyer Grant
✅ Up to $50,000 in forgivable assistance

The Hallandale Beach First-Time Homebuyer Grant provides up to $50,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance. The funds are forgiven over a 10-year period, meaning that if you stay in your home for at least a decade, you don’t have to repay a cent.
To qualify, applicants must have an income at or below 120% of Broward County’s median income and purchase a home within Hallandale Beach’s CRA district.

Best For:

• Moderate-income buyers in Hallandale Beach

• Buyers who plan to stay in their home for at least 10 years

• Those looking for a large amount of assistance

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Drawbacks:

• Only available within Hallandale Beach’s CRA district

• Competitive application process due to high demand

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Learn more at: https://cohb.org/

6. Panama City Homebuyer Grant
✅ Up to $50,000 in forgivable assistance

The Panama City Homebuyer Grant offers up to $50,000 in forgivable assistance for homes priced under $300,000. To qualify, buyers must complete a homebuyer education course and contribute at least $500 of their own funds toward the purchase.

The grant is forgiven over time, as long as the buyer remains in the home for the required period. This program is part of Panama City’s initiative to promote homeownership and help local residents buy affordable housing.

Best For:

• First-time homebuyers in Panama City

• Buyers purchasing affordable homes under $300,000

• Those looking for significant financial aid without repayment obligations

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Drawbacks:

• Strict purchase price cap ($300,000 maximum home price)

• Must complete homebuyer education

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Learn more at: https://www.pcgov.org/

7. Dare to Own the Dream (Tampa)
✅ Up to $40,000 in forgivable assistance

The Dare to Own the Dream program provides up to $40,000 in deferred down payment assistance, which is forgiven after 10 years of continuous homeownership. This program targets Tampa residents earning below the area’s median income (AMI) and offers significant financial help to make homeownership more affordable.

The home must pass a city inspection, and buyers are required to complete a homebuyer education course before receiving funds.

Best For:

• Tampa residents earning below AMI

• Buyers planning to stay in their home for at least 10 years

• Those who need major down payment assistance

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Drawbacks:

• Requires a home inspection by the city

• Only available within Tampa city limits

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Learn more at: https://www.tampa.gov/housing-and-community-development/programs/mortgage-assistance

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8. East Tampa CRA Down Payment Assistance

✅ Up to $50,000 in forgivable assistance

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The East Tampa Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $50,000 in forgivable assistance for buyers purchasing within the East Tampa CRA district. This funding helps cover down payments and closing costs, reducing the upfront financial burden for first-time buyers.

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To qualify, buyers must contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds, complete a homebuyer education course, and use an approved lender. The loan is forgiven over time, meaning you won’t need to repay it if you remain in the home for the required period.

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Best For:

• Homebuyers purchasing in East Tampa’s CRA district

• Buyers who need substantial down payment assistance

• First-time buyers looking for forgivable financial aid

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Drawbacks:

• Only available for properties in the East Tampa CRA district

• Requires a personal contribution of $1,000

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Learn more at: https://www.tampa.gov/cras/community-redevelopment-areas/cra-housing-programs-initiatives/cra-downpayment-assistance

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9. St. Petersburg Purchase Assistance Program

✅ Up to $75,000 in forgivable assistance

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The St. Petersburg Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $75,000 in forgivable financial aid to first-time homebuyers. This assistance covers down payments and closing costs, making it easier for buyers to afford a home in St. Petersburg.

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This program is highly competitive due to its large assistance amount, and funding is limited each year. Eligible buyers must complete a homebuyer education course and meet income and property eligibility requirements.

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Best For:

• Buyers in St. Petersburg needing significant financial assistance

• Households looking for a forgivable loan to reduce upfront costs

• Residents planning to stay in their home long-term

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Drawbacks:

• Limited annual funding, making it highly competitive

• Income and purchase price restrictions apply

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Learn more at: https://www.stpete.org/residents/housing