Understand your assistance options.

Florida Hometown Heroes

The 2026 program covers specified health care, school, first-response, public-safety, court and child-care roles with full-time Florida employment, plus qualifying servicemembers and veterans under the program’s rules.

Assistance is generally 5% of the first mortgage, with a $10,000 minimum and $35,000 maximum. It is a 0% deferred second mortgage—not a gift. Repayment can be triggered by selling, refinancing, transferring the deed or ceasing to use the home as a primary residence.

A participating lender must confirm occupation, first-time-buyer rules or exceptions, income, credit, loan limits and funding. There is no fee to apply for Hometown Heroes assistance.

Florida Housing assistance

• FL Assist: up to $10,000; a deferred 0% second mortgage, not forgivable.
• FL HLP: $12,500 at 3% over 30 years; carries a monthly payment.
• HFA PLUS: 3%, 4% or 5% assistance with certain conventional products; forgiveness occurs over five years under program conditions.

These require an eligible Florida Housing first mortgage. General program requirements include a 640 minimum credit score, approved education, county limits and first-time-buyer rules. The lender verifies exceptions and repayment terms.

Local purchase assistance

Your household size, income, purchase address and available funding matter. A city may administer a different program from its county.

• Miami-Dade homebuyer assistance ↗
• Broward housing programs ↗
• Palm Beach funding opportunities ↗

Check application windows, education requirements, participating lenders, occupancy restrictions and repayment before relying on an award.

A smaller down payment may be possible.

You do not always need 20% down. FHA and some conventional loans offer lower-down-payment options. Eligible military borrowers may explore VA loans, and eligible rural-area buyers may explore USDA.

Income starts the conversation; debts, credit history, assets and the property complete it. Lower savings or an imperfect score are reasons to ask for a plan—not to assume the answer.