Eligibility notes
0% deferred 30-year second mortgage, never forgiven; must be paired with HFA Home Sweet Home first mortgage. $15,000 effective 05/11/26 (was $30,000). First-time rule waived for veterans/targeted areas. County page: https://hcfl.gov/residents/human-services/affordable-housing-assistance/down-payment-assistance
Where does Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Down Payment Assistance apply?
This county-level program is available to buyers in Hillsborough County. Cities on our site where it applies:
- Down payment assistance in Tampa
- Down payment assistance in Brandon
- Down payment assistance in Riverview
- Down payment assistance in Town 'n' Country
- Down payment assistance in University
- Down payment assistance in Plant City
- Down payment assistance in Valrico
- Down payment assistance in Egypt Lake-Leto
- Down payment assistance in Carrollwood
- Down payment assistance in Sun City Center
- Down payment assistance in Lake Magdalene
- Down payment assistance in Ruskin
- Down payment assistance in East Lake-Orient Park
- Down payment assistance in Apollo Beach
- Down payment assistance in Citrus Park
- Down payment assistance in Temple Terrace
- Down payment assistance in Lutz
- Down payment assistance in Keystone
- Down payment assistance in Palm River-Clair Mel
- Down payment assistance in Fish Hawk
- Down payment assistance in Northdale
- Down payment assistance in Westchase
- Down payment assistance in Bloomingdale
- Down payment assistance in Gibsonton
- Down payment assistance in Thonotosassa
- Down payment assistance in Cheval
- Down payment assistance in Mango
- Down payment assistance in Wimauma
- Down payment assistance in Pebble Creek
- Down payment assistance in Progress Village
| Detail | Program terms |
|---|---|
| Assistance | $15,000 (outside City of Tampa); $5,000 (inside City of Tampa) |
| Type | Deferred-payment loan |
| Minimum credit | Not published on the program page |
| First-time buyer | Required |
| Income limits | $112,420 (1-2 persons) / $126,133 (3+ persons), effective 07/01/26 |
How does Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Down Payment Assistance work with an FHA loan?
Florida's 2026 FHA one-unit limits start at $541,287, which supports a price of about $560,000 with 3.5% down.
Where do I confirm current terms?
On the official page: https://www.ehousingplus.com/wp-content/uploads/Hills-Final-Guide-Rev-07-07-26c.pdf. Programs can pause when funds run out, so confirm availability with a participating lender.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County (compliance by eHousingPlus) — Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Down Payment Assistance (official page, verified October 25, 2026)
- HUD — 2026 FHA limits
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.