Key takeaways
- Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers 30-year fixed first mortgages for first-time buyers through approved lenders, with a 640 minimum credit score.
- Down payment help includes FL Assist (up to $10,000, 0%, deferred) and 3%, 4% or 5% forgivable second mortgages with HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage loans.
- Hometown Heroes gives eligible workers up to 5% of the loan (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) as a 0% deferred loan.
- All assistance requires a Florida Housing first mortgage, homebuyer education, and income and price under county limits.
Florida’s statewide help for first-time buyers runs through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. You don’t apply to the agency directly: you work with one of its participating lenders, who pairs a Florida Housing 30-year fixed mortgage with one of several down payment and closing cost programs. The right choice depends on whether you want help you’ll eventually repay or help that’s forgiven over time.
Example: on a $300,000 loan, a 5% forgivable second mortgage is $15,000, forgiven at 20% a year, so after five years in the home you owe nothing on it. A Hometown Heroes loan on the same amount is also $15,000, but it’s repaid when you sell or refinance.
Florida Housing programs at a glance
Rates and terms checked: Nov. 11, 2026. They change often, so confirm with the provider before you apply. How we review lenders
| Program | Amount | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) | Up to $10,000 | 0% deferred second mortgage, not forgiven; due when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed, pay off the first mortgage or stop living in the home. Works with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans. |
| Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) | $12,500 | 3% second mortgage with a monthly payment over 30 years; the payment counts in your debt-to-income ratio. |
| HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUS | 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan | Forgivable second mortgage, forgiven 20% a year over 5 years; only with the conventional HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage first mortgage. |
| Hometown Heroes | Up to 5% of the loan; $10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum | 0% deferred second mortgage, not forgiven; for eligible full-time workers of Florida-based employers. |
| Mortgage Credit Certificate | Yearly federal tax credit | Available through participating lenders; ask about current availability. |
Which Florida assistance is right for you?
- Planning to stay at least five years? The 3%–5% HFA Preferred or Advantage PLUS second mortgage is forgiven after five years, which makes it the cheapest help if you qualify for a conventional loan.
- Need FHA, VA or USDA? FL Assist works with all loan types, but you’ll repay the full $10,000 when you sell or refinance.
- Need a larger amount? FL HLP provides $12,500, but its monthly payment raises your debt-to-income ratio. Check yours with the DTI calculator.
- Work in health care, education, public safety or child care? Look at Hometown Heroes first.
Hometown Heroes: who qualifies
Hometown Heroes is for first-time, income-qualified buyers who work full time for a Florida-based employer in an eligible field: health care, schools, first responders, public safety and court employees, and child care. Active-duty service members and reservists (including the Coast Guard and Florida National Guard) qualify, as do veterans employed full time by a Florida-based employer. The help can be used with FHA, VA, USDA or conventional first mortgages. Florida Housing says applying costs nothing; report anyone who asks for an upfront fee.
Note: Hometown Heroes funding has run out and reopened in past years. Ask a participating lender whether funds are available before you plan around it.
Who qualifies for Florida Housing programs
- First-time buyer: you haven’t owned and lived in a primary residence in the past three years (veterans may be exempt).
- Credit score: 640 minimum.
- Income and purchase price: under the limits for the county where you buy.
- Homebuyer education: an approved course is required.
- Lender: you must use a participating Florida Housing lender.
How to apply
- Estimate your budget with the home affordability calculator, including Florida’s higher home insurance costs.
- Find a participating lender through Florida Housing’s lender locator and confirm your county’s limits.
- Complete an approved homebuyer education course.
- Get preapproved and compare the assistance options side by side.
- Estimate your cash to close with the closing cost calculator.
Budget for insurance
Homeowners insurance, and flood insurance in many areas, can add hundreds of dollars a month to a Florida mortgage payment and affects how much you qualify for. Get insurance quotes before you make an offer, and include them when you run payments in the mortgage calculator. Compare loan types in our first-time homebuyer programs guide.
First-time home buyer programs in other states
Frequently asked questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Florida?
Up to $10,000 with FL Assist, $12,500 with FL HLP, 3% to 5% of the loan with HFA Preferred or Advantage PLUS, and up to $35,000 with Hometown Heroes for eligible workers.
Is Florida down payment assistance forgiven?
Only the 3%, 4% and 5% HFA Preferred and Advantage PLUS second mortgages, which are forgiven 20% a year over five years. FL Assist and Hometown Heroes are 0% deferred loans repaid when you sell, refinance or move out.
What credit score do I need for Florida Housing?
A minimum of 640. Lenders may set higher requirements.
Can I use Florida assistance with an FHA loan?
Yes. FL Assist and Hometown Heroes work with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans. The 3%–5% forgivable second mortgage works only with Florida Housing’s conventional HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage loans.
Sources: Florida Housing Finance Corporation (homebuyer program overview and Hometown Heroes program pages). Program terms checked Nov. 11, 2026; limits and fund availability change, so confirm with a participating lender. This article is for educational purposes and isn’t financial advice.
Written by Chanchala
Founder & Lead Writer · B.Sc. Mathematics (Honors) · 9 years in banking & lending
Chanchala is the founder and lead writer of FinInfoBlog. She holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics (Honors) and has 9 years of experience in banking and lending. She writes plain-English guides on savings, CDs, loans, credit and personal finance for U.S. readers, and makes sure every example shows the math behind the money decision. How we research and fact-check.