Florida Housing Finance Corporation: Programs for First-Time Buyers
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) is the state agency that administers Florida’s primary first-time buyer mortgage and down payment assistance programs. If you are buying your first home in Florida, or haven’t owned in the last three years, Florida Housing programs are worth understanding before you apply with any lender.
Florida Housing’s main mortgage programs
Florida Housing offers below-market fixed-rate mortgages for qualifying buyers through its network of approved lenders. These first mortgage programs are the foundation on which down payment assistance programs are layered. The first mortgage must come from the Florida Housing network; you cannot use a private lender first mortgage and add Florida Housing DPA on top.
Florida Assist (FL Assist)
FL Assist provides a $10,000 deferred second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payments. It is repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. This effectively extends the repayment indefinitely if you hold the home long-term.
Hometown Heroes
The Hometown Heroes program provides up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for community workforce members: teachers, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement, and others. Income limits apply. Funding has paused in prior years when appropriations ran out. Apply early in the calendar year when funding is freshest.
Income and purchase price limits
Florida Housing programs have income limits based on county and family size. Purchase price limits also apply. These limits are updated periodically and are available on FloridaHousing.org. Read our full Florida down payment assistance guide for current limits and program comparisons.
For personalized guidance on buying or selling in South Florida, contact the team at Pure Equity Realty. We serve Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, St. Lucie, and Highlands counties with expert representation and a 1% listing fee.
Onias Derilus is the Broker/Owner of Pure Equity Realty, a South Florida brokerage specializing in 1% listing commissions and free buyer representation across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, St. Lucie, and Highlands counties. He holds an NMLS mortgage originator license and founded Mortgage Capital and Verified Title to serve clients through every step of the transaction.