First-time home buyer programs in Florida
Florida Housing pairs its first-time buyer mortgages with several second-lien assistance options, and its headline Hometown Heroes program puts up to $35,000 toward a down payment for income-qualified workers buying in the community where they work. Heroes funding is released in waves and commits fast — recent allocations were fully reserved within about six months.
Brokers in our network can pair these programs with competing loan offers — free, no obligation.
Hometown Heroes
Down payment and closing-cost help for Florida's frontline and essential workforce — more than 50 eligible occupations from teachers and nurses to law enforcement and active military.
- 5% of the loan amount, minimum $10,000 up to a $35,000 cap
- 0% interest, non-amortizing second — no monthly payment
- Repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage
- First-time buyer rule: no ownership interest in a primary residence in the past 3 years
Florida Assist & Florida HLP Seconds
Second mortgages that attach to Florida Housing's first-time buyer first mortgages when you don't fit a Heroes occupation.
- Florida Assist: up to $10,000, 0% deferred — repaid on sale or refinance
- Florida HLP: up to $10,000 repayable second with a small monthly payment
- Works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional first mortgages
- Income and purchase-price limits vary by county
Program terms, income limits, and funding availability change throughout the year — confirm current details with Florida Housing or a licensed Florida broker before relying on them.
Pair assistance with an FHA loan in Florida
Most Florida first-time buyers combine down payment assistance with an FHA first mortgage. 2026 FHA one-unit limits run from $541,287 (the national floor) up to $667,000 in Miami–Fort Lauderdale.
See all 2026 Florida FHA loan limits →Find a broker in your Florida market
Local brokers know which programs are funded right now and how to stack them:
Florida first-time buyer FAQ
How does Florida's Hometown Heroes program work in 2026?
Eligible workers get 5% of their loan amount — at least $10,000 and up to $35,000 — as a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payment. It's repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home. Funding comes in waves and goes quickly, so getting pre-qualified early matters.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer for Florida assistance?
Generally yes — defined as no ownership interest in a primary residence during the past three years. Veterans and buyers in some targeted areas are exempt from the rule.
Can I combine Florida assistance with an FHA loan?
Yes. The second-lien assistance is designed to sit behind FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgages from participating lenders — an FHA first plus a Hometown Heroes or Florida Assist second is one of the most common structures.
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