Loan Programs · Buying a home

Down payment help for Florida buyers

Saving for a down payment and closing costs is often the hardest part of buying a home. Florida and several South Florida counties offer assistance to eligible buyers. We help you find what is open, what you qualify for, and how it fits with your first mortgage.

Down Payment Assistance explained

Down payment assistance (DPA) is money from a state, county, city or nonprofit program that helps cover your down payment, closing costs or both. In Florida, most assistance comes as a second mortgage that is deferred, forgivable or repaid when you sell, refinance or move out. Florida Housing Finance Corporation runs statewide programs through approved lenders, and counties such as Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade run their own. Each program has income limits, purchase price limits, and its own approval process, and all financing is subject to credit approval and program guidelines.

Who it fits

  • First-time buyers with steady income but limited savings
  • Teachers, healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers who may qualify for Hometown Heroes
  • Buyers using FHA, VA, USDA or conventional first mortgages through Florida Housing
  • Households within program income limits for their county
  • Buyers willing to complete a homebuyer education course

Florida specifics

  • Florida Housing offers statewide down payment and closing cost assistance through participating lenders, paired with its first mortgage programs.
  • The Florida Hometown Heroes program helps eligible full-time Florida workers with down payment and closing costs. Its funding is set by the Legislature each year and has run out before the end of past cycles, so timing matters.
  • Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, and some cities, run separate purchase assistance programs with their own funding windows.
  • Most Florida programs require a homebuyer education course before closing.

How it works with Justin

  1. We check your household income, the county and your price range against open programs.
  2. You complete a homebuyer education course if the program requires it.
  3. We preapprove you for a first mortgage that works with the assistance.
  4. Once under contract, we reserve the assistance funds and submit the program paperwork along with your loan.
  5. At closing, the assistance is applied to your down payment or closing costs.

Documents to gather

  • Income documentation for everyone in the household
  • Two months of bank statements
  • Homebuyer education certificate
  • Proof of Florida employment for Hometown Heroes
  • Photo ID and Social Security number

Things to consider

  • Most assistance is a second mortgage that must be repaid when you sell, refinance or stop living in the home.
  • Program funds can run out, and some have waitlists.
  • Purchase price and income limits can rule out some South Florida homes.
  • Assistance can add steps and time, so we build that into your contract timeline.

Share a few details and Justin will tell you whether Down Payment Help fits, with real numbers for your loan.

Down Payment Assistance: common questions

Is the Florida Hometown Heroes program available right now?

Hometown Heroes is funded by the Florida Legislature each year, and the funds for a cycle can be committed before the year ends. The 2025-2026 funds were fully committed in February 2026. We check the current status with Florida Housing when you are ready to buy.

Do I have to pay back down payment assistance?

Usually, yes, though often not right away. Most Florida programs are a deferred second mortgage repaid when you sell, refinance or move out, and some are forgivable over time. Each program spells out its own terms.

Who qualifies for down payment assistance in Palm Beach County?

Eligibility depends on the program, but most look at household income, purchase price, first-time buyer status and homebuyer education. Palm Beach County runs its own programs in addition to statewide Florida Housing options. We check which ones fit your situation.

Can I use down payment assistance on a condo?

Often, yes, as long as the condo meets the first mortgage program's rules, such as FHA or conventional project approval. Some local programs have their own property rules too.

Does down payment assistance slow down closing?

It can add a few steps, such as program approval and education certificates. Planning for it in your contract timeline keeps things on track.

Related loan programs

  • First-Time Home Buyer Loans — First-time home buyer loans in South Florida: low down payment options, Florida Housing programs, condo tips and a clear path from preapproval to keys.
  • FHA Loans — FHA home loans in South Florida: low down payment, flexible credit, FHA condo approval and Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade loan limits explained.
  • Conventional Loans — Conventional home loans for South Florida buyers and owners: 2026 conforming limits for Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade, down payment and PMI basics.
  • USDA Loans — USDA guaranteed home loans in Florida: eligible rural areas outside the South Florida coast, income limits and how to check a property's eligibility.

South Florida areas where it fits

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