Quick Answer
Hometown Heroes is the best Florida DPA program if you qualify. It provides up to 5% (max $35,000) as a 0% deferred loan with no monthly payments. The catch: you must work in a qualifying occupation (law enforcement, fire, education, healthcare, childcare, or military). If you don't qualify for Hometown Heroes, FL Assist ($10,000 deferred) is the best statewide alternative. For larger amounts, local programs in Broward ($80K), Miami-Dade ($63K stackable), and Tampa ($50K forgivable) far exceed what state programs offer.
Florida has dozens of down payment assistance programs spread across state agencies, counties, and cities. The challenge is not finding programs. It is figuring out which ones are worth your time and which ones will actually be available when you need them.
The biggest change in 2025-2026 is the Hometown Heroes occupation restriction. This program used to be open to all first-time buyers. Now it requires employment in specific fields: law enforcement, firefighting, education, healthcare, childcare, or military service. If you qualified before and assumed you still do, check again. Many buyers who counted on Hometown Heroes no longer have access to it.
That shift makes local programs more important than ever. Florida's county and city programs often provide 3x to 10x the assistance of statewide options, and several use forgivable loan structures that effectively become grants if you stay in the home long enough. A $75,000 forgivable loan from Broward County is worth far more than a $10,000 deferred loan from the state, but only if you know it exists and understand the terms.
We ranked these 10 programs by overall value, weighing assistance amount, forgiveness terms, accessibility, and practical availability. Here are the best DPA programs in Florida right now.
Top 10 at a Glance
| Rank | Program | Max Assistance | Type | Credit Score | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hometown Heroes | Up to 5% ($35K max) | Deferred 0% | 640 | Statewide* |
| 2 | FL Assist | $10,000 | Deferred 0% | 640 / 660 | Statewide |
| 3 | Broward County | $80K ($120K Weston) | 15yr Forgivable | Varies | Broward Co. |
| 4 | Lee County | Up to $75K | 5yr Forgivable | Varies | Lee Co. |
| 5 | St. Petersburg | $60K-$75K | 10yr Forgivable | Varies | St. Pete |
| 6 | Miami-Dade | $63K stackable | Forgivable | Varies | Miami-Dade |
| 7 | Tampa Dare to Own | $50,000 | 20yr Forgivable | Varies | Tampa |
| 8 | Orange County | $10K-$70K | Tiered | Varies | Orlando area |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $25,000 | Forgivable | Varies | Jacksonville |
| 10 | Chenoa Fund | 3.5% | Forgivable 36mo | 580+ | Nationwide |
*Hometown Heroes requires qualifying occupation (law enforcement, fire, education, healthcare, childcare, military)
Statewide Programs (#1-#2)
Administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). Available to buyers purchasing anywhere in the state through approved lenders.
#1. Hometown Heroes (FHFC)
Hometown Heroes is the strongest statewide DPA program in Florida, providing up to 5% of the first mortgage amount (capped at $35,000) as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage. No monthly payments. The balance is due only when you sell, refinance, or no longer occupy the home as your primary residence. The program has a $50 million budget for the current cycle.
The critical detail: Hometown Heroes now requires a qualifying occupation. Eligible fields include law enforcement, fire service, education (teachers and school staff), healthcare workers, childcare employees, and active military or veterans. This is a major change from when the program was open to all first-time buyers. If you work in one of these fields, this should be your first call. If you do not, skip to #2.
Best for: First-time buyers working in law enforcement, fire, education, healthcare, childcare, or military who want the largest statewide DPA with no monthly payments and no interest.
#2. FL Assist (FHFC)
FL Assist provides up to $10,000 as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage. Like Hometown Heroes, there are no monthly payments, and the balance is due when you sell, refinance, or stop occupying the home. The key advantage over Hometown Heroes: there is no occupation requirement. Any first-time buyer who meets income and credit guidelines can use it.
The assistance amount is lower than Hometown Heroes, but FL Assist is the most accessible statewide program in Florida. It pairs with FHFC first mortgage products (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional), and the application process runs through any FHFC-approved lender.
Best for: Any first-time buyer in Florida who does not qualify for Hometown Heroes. Reliable, always available, simple application through FHFC lenders.
Local Programs (#3-#9)
City and county programs that often provide far more assistance than statewide options. Most use forgivable loan structures. Geographic restrictions apply.
#3. Broward County
Broward County offers up to $80,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance as a 15-year forgivable loan. Buyers purchasing in the City of Weston can access up to $120,000. The loan is forgiven over 15 years, meaning if you stay in the home for the full period, you owe nothing. Sell or refinance early, and you repay a prorated portion.
This is the best local DPA program in Florida by dollar amount for most buyers. The 15-year forgiveness schedule is longer than some other local programs, but the assistance is substantial enough to cover the full down payment on homes up to $400,000+. For Fort Lauderdale area buyers, this should be the first program you explore.
#4. Lee County (Cape Coral Area)
Lee County runs multiple DPA programs through different funding sources, giving buyers several options. The CDBG program provides up to $75,000 with a 5-year forgiveness period, the fastest full forgiveness of any large-dollar program on this list. The HOME program offers up to $34,000, and the SHIP program provides up to $75,000 in additional assistance.
The 5-year CDBG forgiveness is the standout feature. Most forgivable programs require 10 to 20 years. Getting $75,000 forgiven in just 5 years makes this one of the most buyer-friendly DPA structures in the state. Cape Coral and Fort Myers area buyers should prioritize this program.
#5. City of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg provides $60,000 to $75,000 in down payment assistance with a 10-year forgiveness period. Buyers purchasing in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) can access additional bonus assistance on top of the base amount.
The 10-year forgiveness is a reasonable middle ground between Lee County's aggressive 5-year schedule and Broward's 15-year timeline. For Tampa Bay area buyers who are specifically looking within St. Pete city limits, this program provides a strong local alternative to the statewide options.
#6. Miami-Dade County Programs
Miami-Dade has one of the most layered DPA ecosystems in Florida. At the county level, the PHCD program provides up to $35,000 and the MDEAT HAP program provides up to $28,000. These two programs are stackable, giving qualifying buyers up to $63,000 from county sources alone.
Beyond the county programs, the City of Miami offers up to $70,000 in additional assistance. The HLP (Homeownership Loan Program) can provide up to $100,000. The stacking potential here is significant, but navigating which programs can be combined and which have overlapping restrictions requires working with a lender experienced in Miami-Dade DPA.
#7. Tampa Dare to Own
Tampa's Dare to Own program provides up to $50,000 as a 20-year forgivable loan. The program reopened on March 30, 2026 after a previous funding cycle was exhausted. Like most city programs in Florida, funding is limited and can close when the allocation runs out.
The 20-year forgiveness period is the longest on this list, which means you need to stay in the home for two decades to avoid any repayment. For buyers who plan to make Tampa their long-term home, $50,000 in forgivable assistance is still a strong deal. For those who might move within 10 years, compare the prorated repayment against what you would owe with a deferred program like FL Assist.
#8. Orange County (Orlando)
Orange County's DPA programs use a tiered structure based on income, with assistance ranging from $10,000 to $70,000. Lower-income buyers qualify for higher amounts, while moderate-income buyers receive smaller but still meaningful assistance. The tiered approach means more buyers can access some level of help, even if they earn too much for the maximum amount.
For Orlando-area buyers, this is the primary local program to explore. The wide range of assistance tiers makes it more accessible than programs with fixed dollar amounts and strict income cutoffs.
#9. City of Jacksonville
Jacksonville's down payment assistance program provides up to $25,000 for qualifying buyers. While the amount is smaller than South Florida and Tampa Bay programs, it is meaningful in a market where median home prices are lower than Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Orlando. For Northeast Florida buyers, $25,000 can cover the full down payment on many starter homes in the Jacksonville metro.
Backup Option (#10)
A nationwide program that works as a safety net for Florida buyers who don't qualify for state or local options, or who need a lower credit score threshold.
#10. Chenoa Fund
The Chenoa Fund provides 3.5% of the FHA loan amount as a forgivable second mortgage. The Rate Advantage option is forgiven after 36 on-time first mortgage payments. It is not a Florida-specific program. It operates nationwide. But it fills an important gap for Florida buyers in two situations: when your credit score is between 580 and 639 (below the threshold for FHFC programs), or when you are a repeat buyer who does not qualify for first-time-only programs.
The trade-off is a higher interest rate on the first mortgage compared to standard pricing. That added cost is how the program is funded. For buyers with limited options, it is still a viable path to homeownership. For buyers with a 640+ score who qualify for Hometown Heroes or FL Assist, those programs will usually be the better deal.
How to Choose the Right Program
Start with your occupation and location, then narrow from there.
You work in a qualifying occupation
Law enforcement, fire, education, healthcare, childcare, military
Hometown Heroes first, then layer local
First-time buyer, any occupation
640+ credit, no occupation restriction needed
FL Assist + check your local program
Buying in South Florida
Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach counties
Local programs ($60K-$120K) beat state options
Credit score 580-639
Below FHFC minimum requirements
Chenoa Fund (only statewide option at 580)
Repeat buyer (not first-time)
Owned a home within the last 3 years
Chenoa Fund (no first-time requirement)
Want fastest forgiveness
Shortest path to owing nothing on the DPA
Lee County CDBG (5 years) or Chenoa (36 months)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming you still qualify for Hometown Heroes
The occupation restriction changed everything. If you qualified before 2025, verify your occupation is still on the list before building your purchase plan around this program.
Ignoring local programs because the state program seems easier
FL Assist gives you $10,000. Broward County gives you $80,000. Lee County gives you $75,000 forgiven in 5 years. The extra paperwork for a local program is almost always worth it.
Not checking forgiveness terms before choosing a program
A $50,000 forgivable loan with a 20-year term is very different from a $75,000 forgivable loan with a 5-year term. If you plan to move in 7 years, the shorter forgiveness schedule saves you significantly more money.
Waiting too long to apply for funded programs
Many city and county programs operate on fixed funding cycles. Tampa's Dare to Own has closed and reopened multiple times. When a program opens, move quickly. Get pre-approved before the funding runs out.
Using Chenoa Fund when better options are available
Chenoa Fund carries a higher interest rate on the first mortgage. It is a great backup for buyers with credit scores below 640 or repeat buyers. But if you qualify for Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, or a local program, those options will cost less over the life of the loan.
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Common Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Florida?
Statewide programs offer up to $35,000 (Hometown Heroes) or $10,000 (FL Assist). Local programs go much higher. Miami-Dade buyers can stack up to $63,000 in county programs alone. The City of Miami HLP program offers up to $100,000. Broward County provides up to $80,000 (or $120,000 in Weston). The right amount depends on where you are buying and which programs you qualify for.
Can I still get Hometown Heroes if I'm not a first responder?
Yes, but only if you work in a qualifying occupation. Hometown Heroes expanded beyond first responders to include teachers, healthcare workers, childcare employees, and active military or veterans. However, it no longer covers all first-time buyers the way it did before 2025. If your occupation does not qualify, FL Assist or a local program is your best alternative.
What credit score do I need for down payment assistance in Florida?
Most Florida DPA programs require a 640 credit score for FHA loans and 660 for conventional loans. The Chenoa Fund is an exception, accepting scores as low as 580. If your score is between 580 and 639, Chenoa Fund may be your only statewide option.
What is the difference between forgivable and deferred DPA?
Forgivable programs erase the loan balance after a set period (typically 5 to 20 years) as long as you stay in the home. If you sell or refinance early, you repay part or all of it. Deferred programs carry no monthly payments but the full balance is due when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. Forgivable programs are better if you plan to stay long-term.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer for Florida DPA?
Most statewide programs require first-time buyer status, which means you have not owned a home in the past three years. The Chenoa Fund is open to repeat buyers with no ownership restrictions. Some local programs also waive the first-time requirement in targeted areas.
Can I combine multiple DPA programs in Florida?
In some cases, yes. Miami-Dade County is a strong example: you can potentially stack the PHCD program ($35,000) with the MDEAT HAP ($28,000) for $63,000 in county assistance. City programs sometimes layer on top of state programs as well. Your lender needs to verify compatibility before you commit to a stacking strategy.
Is Hometown Heroes still available in 2026?
Yes, Hometown Heroes is active with a $50 million budget for the current cycle. The biggest change is the occupation restriction. The program now requires buyers to work in a qualifying field such as law enforcement, fire, education, healthcare, childcare, or military. General first-time buyers who do not work in these fields no longer qualify.
What happens if I sell my home before the forgiveness period ends?
With forgivable programs, selling early means you repay a prorated portion of the assistance. For example, Broward County forgives its loan over 15 years. If you sell after 10 years, you would repay roughly one-third of the original amount. Programs with shorter forgiveness periods, like Lee County's 5-year CDBG, reach full forgiveness faster. Always check the specific forgiveness schedule before choosing a program.
Find Out Which Programs You Qualify For
Every buyer's situation is different. Your county, income, credit score, occupation, and purchase timeline all determine which programs are available to you. A buyer in Broward County has different options than someone in Jacksonville or Orlando. Our free tool matches you with programs across all 67 Florida counties in about 2 minutes.
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Enter your county, income, and home price. We show you every program available, including forgivable loans, deferred loans, and local options.
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