First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Florida: What Is Available and How to Qualify

For many first-time buyers in South Florida, the biggest hurdle is not the monthly payment. It is the cash needed at closing. Between the down payment and closing costs, that upfront number can feel out of reach even for buyers with steady income and good credit.

Florida has more help available than most people realize, at both the state and county level. The details matter, though. Most of these programs are loans rather than grants. Funding opens and closes, and eligibility rules are specific. Here is what is available now and what it takes to qualify.

What Counts as a First-Time Home Buyer in Florida?

Most programs use a broader definition than the name suggests. In general, you are considered a first-time buyer if you have not owned and lived in a primary residence in the past three years. Someone who owned a home years ago, sold it and has been renting since may qualify again.

Some programs make exceptions for veterans, and a few apply to homes in designated target areas regardless of prior ownership. A participating lender can confirm which rules apply to you.

Statewide Programs Through Florida Housing

Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the state’s housing finance agency, runs the largest group of first-time buyer programs. They share the same basic structure. You get a Florida Housing first mortgage through an approved lender, and the assistance comes as a second mortgage that covers part of your down payment and closing costs.

Florida Hometown Heroes

Hometown Heroes is the program most buyers have heard of, and for good reason. It provides 5% of the first mortgage amount, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000, as a 0% interest second mortgage with no monthly payment. It is repaid when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed or stop living in the home.

The program is built for Florida’s workforce, including teachers and school staff, health care workers, first responders, law enforcement, child care workers, active-duty military members and veterans. Buyers generally must work full time for a Florida-based employer and meet county income limits.

Funding is the catch. The Legislature sets a fixed amount each year, and once it is committed the program pauses. The current round opened July 13, 2026, with $50 million, and recent rounds have run out in months rather than lasting a full year. Buyers who think they qualify should get pre-approved early rather than waiting until they find a home.

Florida Assist (FL Assist)

FL Assist provides up to $10,000 as a 0% interest deferred second mortgage. There is no monthly payment, and it is repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the first mortgage. It is open to first-time buyers who meet income and purchase price limits regardless of occupation, which makes it a common option when Hometown Heroes is paused or does not fit.

Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP)

FL HLP offers up to $12,500 as a low-interest second mortgage with a modest monthly payment. It provides more assistance than FL Assist, so it can make sense for buyers who need a bit more help at closing and can comfortably carry the added payment.

HFA Preferred PLUS and HFA Advantage PLUS

These programs pair with a Florida Housing conventional first mortgage and provide 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan amount in assistance. The standout feature is forgiveness. The second mortgage is forgiven at 20% per year over five years, so buyers who stay in the home for five years never repay it.

Miami-Dade County Programs

County programs add another layer of help for local buyers, and in some cases they can be combined with state assistance. That is often where the numbers start to work.

Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County

The HFA of Miami-Dade offers a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage for first-time buyers, paired with down payment assistance of up to $15,000 as a 0% deferred second mortgage. The home must be in Miami-Dade County and serve as your primary residence, and buyers complete an eight-hour, HUD-approved homebuyer education course.

Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program

The county’s Public Housing and Community Development department offers low-interest second and third mortgages for low- to moderate-income buyers, funded by the county’s documentary stamp surtax. Household income generally cannot exceed 140% of the area median income, and participation is limited to once per family.

Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust Homeownership Assistance Program

Known as HAP, this program provides a 0% interest deferred loan toward down payment and closing costs for very low- to moderate-income buyers purchasing a primary residence in Miami-Dade County. Assistance is offered as funds allow, so timing matters here too.

Some cities within the county run their own programs as well, so it is worth asking a lender what is available for the specific area where you plan to buy.

Loan Types That Pair With Assistance

Assistance programs sit on top of a first mortgage, and most work with the loan types first-time buyers already use.

• FHA loans allow down payments as low as 3.5% and more flexible credit guidelines.
• VA loans offer eligible veterans and service members financing with no down payment.
• Conventional low down payment loans, including Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible, allow as little as 3% down.

How to Qualify: The Common Requirements

Every program has its own rules, but most share a core set of requirements.

• First-time buyer status, typically meaning no ownership of a primary residence in the past three years
• A minimum credit score, usually 640 for Florida Housing programs
• Household income at or below the program’s limit for your county
• A purchase price at or below the program’s cap
• Completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course
• Living in the home as your primary residence
• Working with a lender approved for the specific program

The Fine Print Worth Understanding

Most assistance is a loan, not a grant. Zero interest and no monthly payment are genuinely helpful, but the balance is usually due when you sell or refinance. If you expect to refinance soon after buying, factor that in.

Purchase price caps matter in South Florida. Program limits can work well for many condos, townhomes and single-family homes in parts of Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay, but they may rule out much of the single-family inventory in higher-priced areas like Pinecrest and Coral Gables. Knowing the cap before you start searching saves time and disappointment.

Programs do not always stack. Florida Housing assistance generally cannot be combined with another Florida Housing assistance program, though some county programs can be layered on top. Your lender should map out the best combination for your situation.

Legitimate programs do not charge to apply. There is no fee to apply for state assistance. Anyone asking for payment to access a program is a red flag.

Where to Start

The best first step is a conversation with a lender approved for Florida Housing and Miami-Dade programs. They can review your income, credit and employment against each option and tell you which combination fits, before you fall for a home that falls outside the limits.

From there, Drew Kern and The Kern Team help first-time buyers build a search around those numbers, so the homes you tour are homes your assistance can actually cover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Florida Hometown Heroes still available in 2026?

Yes. A new round of funding opened July 13, 2026, with $50 million. Funds are reserved first come, first served through participating lenders, and the program pauses once they are committed, so availability can change quickly. An approved lender can confirm the current status.

What credit score do I need for Florida first-time home buyer programs?

Most Florida Housing programs, including Hometown Heroes and FL Assist, require a minimum credit score of 640. Some FHA loans allow lower scores on their own, but those buyers may not qualify for state assistance.

Do I have to pay back Florida down payment assistance?

Usually, yes. Hometown Heroes, FL Assist and HFA of Miami-Dade assistance are repaid when you sell, refinance or move out. HFA Preferred PLUS and HFA Advantage PLUS are the exception, since they are forgiven at 20% per year over five years.

Can I use Florida first-time home buyer programs in Miami-Dade County?

Yes. Florida Housing programs are available statewide, including Miami-Dade, and the county offers its own programs as well. Income and purchase price limits are set by county, so confirm current Miami-Dade limits with a participating lender.

Drew Kern, The Kern Team