What down payment assistance does Florida offer?
| Program | Amount | Type | Min. credit | First-time only? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRA Down Payment Assistance Program | Up to $50,000 (tiered by AMI: $50,000 / $40,000 / $30,000) | Forgivable loan | Not stated | Yes |
| Dare to Own the Dream (DARE) | Up to $50,000 (50.01-80% AMI $50,000; 80.01-120% AMI $40,000; 120.01-140% AMI $30,000) | Forgivable loan | Not stated | Yes |
| Florida Assist | Up to $10,000 on FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional loans | Deferred-payment loan | 640 | Yes |
| Head Start to HOME Ownership Program (H2H) | Up to $25,000 | Forgivable loan | Not stated | See program |
| Home Key Plus 2nd Mortgage Down Payment Assistance | $10,000 | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
| Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Down Payment Assistance | $15,000 (outside City of Tampa); $5,000 (inside City of Tampa) | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
| Housing Down Payment Assistance Program | 20% of sales price plus $5,000 closing costs, up to $75,000 | Forgivable loan | Not stated | Yes |
| Orlando Unlocked: Open Door Program | $45,000 (additional $10,000 for first responders/nurses) | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | See program |
| Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program | $75,000 | Forgivable loan | Not stated | See program |
How do I apply for Florida down payment assistance?
- Find a participating lender approved by City of Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency.
- Get pre-approved for the agency's first mortgage and confirm you meet income and price limits.
- Complete the required homebuyer education course.
- Your lender reserves the assistance when you go under contract.
Are there programs for teachers, nurses or first responders in Florida?
Yes: Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program (Up to 5% of the first mortgage amount (maximum $35,000, minimum $10,000), subject to funding). See teachers, nurses, healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters, emts and paramedics, first responders, veterans and military, doctors and physicians.
Cities in Florida
Other states with verified programs
Frequently asked questions
CRA Down Payment Assistance Program: Up to $50,000 (tiered by AMI: $50,000 / $40,000 / $30,000); Dare to Own the Dream (DARE): Up to $50,000 (50.01-80% AMI $50,000; 80.01-120% AMI $40,000; 120.01-140% AMI $30,000); Florida Assist: Up to $10,000 on FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional loans; Head Start to HOME Ownership Program (H2H): Up to $25,000; Home Key Plus 2nd Mortgage Down Payment Assistance: $10,000; Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Down Payment Assistance: $15,000 (outside City of Tampa); $5,000 (inside City of Tampa); Housing Down Payment Assistance Program: 20% of sales price plus $5,000 closing costs, up to $75,000; Orlando Unlocked: Open Door Program: $45,000 (additional $10,000 for first responders/nurses); Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program: $75,000.
Most verified programs here target first-time buyers or have eligibility exceptions; check each program's official page.
Published minimums range from 640 to 640 among the programs we verified.
Sources
- City of Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency — CRA Down Payment Assistance Program (verified October 25, 2026)
- City of Tampa Housing and Community Development — Dare to Own the Dream (DARE) (verified October 25, 2026)
- Florida Housing Finance Corporation — Florida Assist (verified October 23, 2026)
- City of Jacksonville Neighborhoods Department - Housing and Community Development Division — Head Start to HOME Ownership Program (H2H) (verified October 25, 2026)
- Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County — Home Key Plus 2nd Mortgage Down Payment Assistance (verified October 25, 2026)
- Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County (compliance by eHousingPlus) — Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Down Payment Assistance (verified October 25, 2026)
- City of St. Petersburg Housing and Community Development — Housing Down Payment Assistance Program (verified October 25, 2026)
- City of Orlando — Orlando Unlocked: Open Door Program (verified October 25, 2026)
- Pinellas County Housing and Community Development — Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program (verified October 25, 2026)
Data last updated October 25, 2026.
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Get My MatchesFigures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.