Quick Answer
Florida first-time home buyers can access $10,000 to $80,000 in down payment assistance depending on location and program. Statewide options include FL Assist ($10,000 deferred), Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000 for qualifying occupations), and Chenoa Fund (3.5% forgivable). Local programs in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale often exceed statewide amounts. Florida has no state income tax, which helps buyers qualify for larger loan amounts.
If you're buying your first home in Florida, the down payment is probably your biggest obstacle. The good news: Florida has a solid network of assistance programs at both the state and local level that can put $10,000 to $80,000 toward your purchase.
But there is a major change you need to know about. Florida's most popular program, Hometown Heroes, was restructured for the 2025-2026 funding cycle. It now requires qualifying occupations like law enforcement, education, and healthcare. If you don't work in one of those fields, you'll need a different strategy.
This guide breaks down every statewide program, the best local options by metro area, eligibility requirements, and the mistakes that cost buyers money.
What Counts as a "First-Time Home Buyer" in Florida?
The definition is more forgiving than most people expect:
First-Time Home Buyer = No ownership in the past 3 years
If you have not owned and occupied a home as your primary residence in the past three years, you qualify as a first-time buyer for most Florida DPA programs. This includes people who have never owned, as well as those who owned previously but sold or moved out 3+ years ago.
Key details:
- Owned a home 4 years ago? You qualify as first-time again.
- Your spouse owned but you never did? You may still qualify depending on the program.
- Some programs skip the requirement entirely. Chenoa Fund does not require first-time buyer status, making it available to repeat buyers too.
- Veterans are often exempt from first-time requirements on certain programs, including FL Assist.
Florida Statewide DPA Programs
These programs are available across the entire state. Your city or county may offer additional local assistance on top of these.
| Program | Amount | Type | Credit | First-Time Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hometown Heroes | Up to 5% (max $35K) | 0% deferred | 640 | Yes + occupation |
| FL Assist (FHFC) | Up to $10,000 | 0% deferred | 640 FHA / 660 conv. | Yes |
| FL HLP (Hardest Hit) | Up to $15,000 | 0% deferred | 640 | Yes (select counties) |
| Chenoa Fund | 3.5% of loan | Forgivable | 580 | No |
Hometown Heroes: What Changed in 2025-2026
Hometown Heroes was Florida's most generous and most popular DPA program. It offered up to 5% of the loan amount (capped at $35,000) as a 0% interest deferred second mortgage. In prior years, the program was open to all first-time buyers who worked for a Florida employer.
Important: 2025-2026 Eligibility Change
The 2025-2026 funding cycle restricts Hometown Heroes to qualifying occupations only. Eligible occupations include law enforcement, firefighters, educators, healthcare workers, childcare workers, and active military or veterans. The budget was also cut to approximately $50 million, roughly half of the prior year. If you do not work in a qualifying field, you are no longer eligible for this program.
For buyers who do qualify, Hometown Heroes remains one of the strongest DPA programs in the country. Up to $35,000 with no monthly payments and 0% interest is hard to beat. But for everyone else, the path forward runs through FL Assist, Chenoa Fund, or local programs.
FL Assist and Chenoa Fund: Your Best Statewide Options
With Hometown Heroes now restricted, these two programs carry the weight for most Florida first-time buyers.
FL Assist (Florida Housing Finance Corporation)
Amount: Up to $10,000
Type: 0% interest deferred second mortgage. No monthly payments. Repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
Credit: 640 minimum for FHA, 660 for conventional
Requirement: First-time buyer, 1-unit primary residence only
Best for: Buyers with 640+ credit who need a straightforward, always-available program
Amount: 3.5% of the loan amount (covers the entire FHA down payment)
Type: Forgivable after 36 on-time mortgage payments
Credit: 580 minimum
Requirement: No first-time buyer requirement, no income limits
Best for: Buyers with lower credit scores, repeat buyers, or those who exceed income limits on other programs
On a $390,000 home in Orlando, Chenoa Fund would provide approximately $13,300 toward your down payment, and the loan is completely forgiven after three years of on-time payments. FL Assist provides a flat $10,000 but must be repaid eventually.
See Every Florida Program You Qualify For
Enter your county, income, and credit score to see all available programs with assistance amounts and eligibility details.
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Local DPA by Metro Area
Florida's local programs are where the real money is. Several cities and counties offer DPA that far exceeds what statewide programs provide. Here is what is available in the major metros:
| Metro Area | Program | Max Amount | Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | Orange County (tiered) | $10K - $70K | ~$390K |
| Miami | PHCD + MDEAT (stackable) | $35K + $28K = $63K | ~$550K |
| Tampa | Dare to Own | $50K | ~$380K |
| St. Petersburg | City of St. Pete DPA | $60K - $75K | ~$380K |
| Jacksonville | City of Jacksonville DPA | $25K | ~$310K |
| Fort Lauderdale | Broward County | $80K | ~$450K |
| Cape Coral | Lee County | $75K | ~$350K |
Notice the pattern: local programs in South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale) and Tampa Bay (Tampa, St. Pete) often provide $50,000 or more. In some cases, these can be combined with statewide programs for even larger total assistance. Miami's stackable PHCD and MDEAT programs are a standout example.
Common Mistakes Florida First-Time Buyers Make
1. Assuming Hometown Heroes is still open to everyone
The 2025-2026 cycle restricts eligibility to qualifying occupations. If you are not in law enforcement, education, healthcare, childcare, firefighting, or military, you need a different plan. Do not waste time applying for a program you cannot access.
2. Ignoring local programs
Many buyers focus on statewide programs and never check their city or county options. In Tampa, the Dare to Own program offers $50,000. In Broward County, up to $80,000. These local programs frequently offer more money than state programs.
3. Working with a lender who is not approved for the program
DPA programs require lender participation. Not every lender is approved for every program. If your lender does not participate in FL Assist or Chenoa Fund, you cannot access those programs through them. Ask upfront which programs your lender can offer.
4. Waiting too long for funded programs
Programs like Hometown Heroes and FL HLP operate on limited budgets. When the money runs out, the program closes until the next funding cycle. Chenoa Fund is the exception: it is always funded because it operates through a national administrator.
5. Not comparing the true cost of each program
A deferred loan and a forgivable loan look similar on paper, but the long-term costs are different. Chenoa Fund is forgiven after 3 years. FL Assist must be repaid when you sell or refinance. If you plan to move within 5 years, the forgivable option may save you thousands.
Eligibility Checklist
Most Florida DPA programs share a common set of requirements. Here is what you will typically need:
First-time buyer status (no ownership in past 3 years). Exception: Chenoa Fund does not require this.
Credit score of 580+ for Chenoa Fund, 640+ for FL Assist and Hometown Heroes, 660+ for conventional loans through FHFC.
Income within program limits. FHFC programs use county-specific AMI limits. Chenoa Fund has no income limits.
Primary residence. The property must be your primary home. Investment properties and second homes do not qualify.
Homebuyer education course. Most FHFC programs require completion of an approved homebuyer education class before closing.
Approved lender. You must work with a lender who participates in the specific DPA program you want to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Florida?
Statewide options include Hometown Heroes (up to $35K for qualifying occupations), FL Assist ($10K deferred), FL HLP ($15K in select counties), and Chenoa Fund (3.5% forgivable). Local programs in major metros can add $25K to $80K more.
How much DPA can first-time buyers get in Florida?
Statewide programs range from $10,000 to $35,000. Local programs go much higher: Fort Lauderdale area up to $80K, St. Petersburg up to $75K, Cape Coral area up to $75K, Orlando up to $70K, Miami up to $63K (stackable), and Tampa up to $50K.
What counts as a first-time home buyer in Florida?
Someone who has not owned a home as their primary residence in the past 3 years. If you owned before but it has been 3+ years, you qualify again. Chenoa Fund does not require first-time status at all.
Do I qualify for Hometown Heroes if I'm not a first responder?
Only if you work in another qualifying occupation. The 2025-2026 cycle includes law enforcement, firefighters, educators, healthcare workers, childcare workers, and military. General first-time buyers outside these fields are no longer eligible.
What credit score do I need for Florida DPA?
Chenoa Fund accepts 580+. FL Assist requires 640 for FHA and 660 for conventional. Hometown Heroes requires 640. Most local programs require 640+.
Can I stack multiple DPA programs?
In some cases. Miami allows stacking PHCD ($35K) and MDEAT ($28K) for up to $63K combined. Most statewide programs cannot be combined with each other. Ask your lender about permitted combinations in your area.
Do I have to repay Florida down payment assistance?
It depends on the program. FL Assist and Hometown Heroes are deferred loans repaid when you sell or refinance. Chenoa Fund is forgivable after 36 on-time payments. Some local programs are grants with no repayment.
Does Florida have income limits for DPA?
Most FHFC programs (FL Assist, Hometown Heroes) have county-specific income limits. Chenoa Fund has no income limits. Local programs set their own thresholds based on local AMI.
Is Florida a good state for first-time home buyers?
Yes. No state income tax means more of your paycheck goes toward qualifying for a mortgage. Housing markets vary widely, from $310K in Jacksonville to $550K in Miami, giving buyers options at multiple price points. And local DPA programs in several metros are among the most generous in the country.
Find Every DPA Program You Qualify For
Enter your Florida county, income, and target home price to see all available programs with assistance amounts, credit requirements, and program types.
Check My Eligibility →Free tool • No signup required • Instant results
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