What is the St. Petersburg Purchase Assistance Program?

The City of St. Petersburg Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $60,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan, fully forgivable after 10 years of continuous occupancy. Buyers in the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area may qualify for up to $75,000. First-time buyer required. Income at or below 80% AMI for full assistance.

What is the Pinellas County DPA program?

Pinellas County DPA provides $50,000 to $75,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan through SHIP funding. Reopened December 1, 2025 and is currently accepting applications. Note: this program covers most of Pinellas County EXCEPT St. Petersburg, Largo, and Clearwater, which have their own programs.

What is Florida Hometown Heroes?

Florida Hometown Heroes provides up to 5% of the first mortgage (max $35,000) as a 0% deferred second loan. Available to Florida workers in qualifying occupations including law enforcement, education, healthcare, and military. First-time buyer required. 640 credit minimum. Income capped at 150% AMI.

What credit score do I need for DPA in St. Pete?

Florida Housing programs require 640 minimum. Home Key Plus requires 640+. City and county programs have their own requirements. Most buyers with 640+ credit have full access.

What is the FHA loan limit in St. Petersburg?

The 2026 FHA limit for Pinellas County is $541,287. St. Pete's median of approximately $444,500 is below this limit.

Is there hurricane recovery assistance?

Pinellas Recovers offers homebuyer assistance for residents impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, or Milton. Covers up to 100% of lender-required down payment. Income up to 120% AMI. Must have lived in Pinellas County during the hurricanes. Excludes City of St. Petersburg residents (they have their own city program).

Can I combine St. Pete DPA programs?

The city program and county program serve different geographies (city excludes county DPA, county excludes city DPA). Hometown Heroes includes its own first mortgage. Home Key Plus may layer with other programs. Confirm with your lender.

What income limits apply?

City Purchase Assistance: 80% AMI for full assistance. Home Key Plus: non-targeted $104,300 (1-2 person). Hometown Heroes: 150% AMI. Pinellas County DPA: approximately $73,080 for an individual.

How much on a $444K home?

City Purchase Assistance: up to $60,000 (or $75K in South St. Pete). Hometown Heroes: $22,225 (5%). FHA down: $15,558. The city program alone covers the full down payment plus $44,000+ for closing costs.

Down Payment Assistance St. Petersburg FL 2026 | 5+ Programs, Up to $75K City DPA

Q: What down payment assistance is available in St. Petersburg FL?

St. Pete buyers have access to 5+ programs. The City Purchase Assistance program provides up to $60,000 (or $75,000 in South St. Pete CRA), fully forgivable after 10 years. Pinellas County DPA adds $50,000-$75,000. Home Key Plus provides $10,000. Florida Hometown Heroes covers up to $35,000 statewide.

Last updated: April 2026 · Program availability changes frequently

Down Payment Assistance in St. Petersburg: Overview

St. Petersburg runs one of the most generous city-level DPA programs in Florida. The standard Purchase Assistance program covers up to $60,000. Properties in the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area qualify for up to $75,000. Both are fully forgivable after just 10 years of occupancy. In a city where the median home price has climbed to $444,500 (up 11% year over year), that forgiveness timeline matters. It means the assistance can effectively become a grant if you stay.

St. Pete also sits in Pinellas County, which runs its own DPA program at $50,000 to $75,000 through SHIP funding. Here is the catch: the county program specifically excludes St. Petersburg, Largo, and Clearwater because those cities administer their own SHIP funds. If you are buying within St. Pete city limits, you use the city program. If you are buying elsewhere in Pinellas County, you use the county program. They do not overlap.

Pinellas County also has a hurricane recovery program, Pinellas Recovers, for residents impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, or Milton. It covers up to 100% of the lender-required down payment. If you lived in Pinellas County during those storms (excluding the City of St. Petersburg) and meet income requirements, this is a separate funding source worth investigating.

The FHA limit for Pinellas County is $541,287. St. Pete's $444,500 median is below that. A 3.5% FHA down payment on $444,500 is $15,558. The city program covers that nearly four times over. This guide breaks down each program, the geographic boundaries, and how to apply effectively.

Quick Answer

Yes. St. Pete buyers have 5+ DPA programs. The city's Purchase Assistance offers up to $60,000 (or $75,000 in South St. Pete CRA), fully forgivable after 10 years. Pinellas Home Key Plus adds $10,000. Hometown Heroes covers $35,000 statewide.

On a $444,500 home: FHA down = $15,558. City Purchase Assistance ($60K) covers the down payment plus $44,442 for closing costs, prepaids, and reserves. The 10-year forgiveness is the shortest in the Tampa Bay area.

Credit from 640. First-time buyer required for most programs. Income at or below 80% AMI for full city program eligibility.

City of St. Petersburg Purchase Assistance

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St. Petersburg Purchase Assistance Program

Amount: Up to $60,000 (standard) / $75,000 (South St. Pete CRA)

Type: 0% deferred, fully forgivable after 10 years

Income limit: Up to 80% AMI for full assistance

First-time buyer: Required (no ownership in 3 years)

Buyer contribution: 1% minimum from own funds

Property types: Single-family, condo, townhome, co-op

The 10-year forgiveness is what sets this apart. Tampa's Dare to Own takes 20 years to forgive. Miami-Dade's MDEAT HAP takes 20 years. St. Pete forgives in 10. If you stay a decade, the $60,000-$75,000 becomes a gift. That is a $6,000-$7,500 annual benefit for staying in your home. It fundamentally changes the math on buying vs. renting in this market.

South St. Pete CRA bonus: Properties in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area qualify for $75,000 instead of $60,000. That is $15,000 more. The CRA covers roughly the area south of Central Avenue and east of 34th Street. Contact the city to confirm whether a specific address falls within the CRA boundaries.

Pinellas County Programs

Verify Funding Pinellas County

Pinellas County DPA (SHIP-Funded)

Amount: $50,000 to $75,000

Type: 0% interest deferred loan

Income limit: ~$73,080 (individual)

Reopened: December 1, 2025

Geographic exclusion: This program covers unincorporated Pinellas County and most cities EXCEPT St. Petersburg, Largo, and Clearwater. Those three cities run their own programs. If your property is in St. Pete, use the city program above instead.

Verify Funding Pinellas HFA

Home Key Plus 2nd Mortgage

Amount: Up to $10,000

Type: 30-year deferred, 0% second mortgage (NOT forgivable)

Credit score: 640+ (per FHFC requirements)

First-time buyer: Required (veterans exempt)

Buyer contribution: $1,000 minimum from own funds

Homebuyer education: 8-hour HUD course required

Smaller amount but available across all of Pinellas County, including St. Pete. The 30-year deferred structure means no monthly payment, but the balance is due when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. Income limits: $104,300 for 1-2 person non-targeted household.

Verify Funding Hurricane Recovery

Pinellas Recovers Homebuyer Assistance

Amount: Up to 100% of lender-required down payment

Income limit: Up to 120% AMI

Eligibility: Must have lived in Pinellas during Hurricanes Idalia/Helene/Milton

Excludes: City of St. Petersburg residents

A separate funding source for hurricane-impacted Pinellas County residents. If you lived in Pinellas (outside St. Pete) during Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, or Milton, this program covers your entire lender-required down payment. You must not currently own another home. Contact the county for application details.

Florida Hometown Heroes

Open Statewide

Florida Housing Hometown Heroes Program

Amount: Up to 5% of first mortgage (max $35,000)

Type: 0% interest deferred second loan

Income limit: 150% AMI

First-time buyer: Required (veterans exempt)

Credit score: 640 minimum

Employment: Qualifying FL occupation (35+ hrs/week)

Hometown Heroes now requires qualifying occupations (law enforcement, fire, education, healthcare, childcare, military). On a $444K purchase: 5% = $22,225 deferred at 0%. No monthly payment. Repaid at sale, refinance, or transfer. Funding is $50M for 2025-2026. Apply through a Florida Housing approved lender.

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This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. Program availability, terms, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Verify all details with the administering agency or an approved lender. DownPaymentScout is an independent resource. Last updated April 2026.

Down Payment Assistance in St. Petersburg, Florida